Hello

Do any of you XYZCNCers have pin function allocation maps for the Arduino pin functions, Eg step, dir, etc for the various axies.

The supplied example of the Taig Mill would be a good one to start me off.

I have a Uno ( only need 3 axis ) I also have a Due ( should be the same as the Mega2560)

But I don't have a Mega2560 atm.

Something to get me started really, IE just get it to spin some motors. This will  help me figure out what is going on with various hal files & python code.

I have taken a look at the hal2Arduino thing, but it take quite a leap, and is scant on detail.

Any other advice, hints, how2s, etc to get going on a simplistic level would be much appreciated.

Cheers

MrGreg

Joel's picture

Our project is all about standardizing the hardware pin-outs, firmware, and cable wiring diagrams. We asked our users to not post these documents publicly for external download for several reasons, but mostly we saw what happened to the Ciclop and RAMPS project quality. I am forking Ciclop-fw code over the next few months, recovering the fragmented documentation, and am trying to map the infinity auxiliary port so more than one device operates from the same hardware with the correctly labeled axis. ;-)

The firmware is setup for the atmega2560, follows a strict pre-defined pinout standard (we don't want the wrong firmware on a machine), and several low-level chip resources for things like PWM/Timer/UART make these assumptions.

I would recommend using the main firmware trunk for your hardware. Or if you are a student in the US or Canada,  we can simply give you a gen2 Beta unit as our members begin to upgrade to gen3 this next month (note: the pinouts should never need changed unless there was a build error).

Cheers,

J

Hello Joel

I understand  and appreciate your position and reasoning. it's not too obvious from the info in your distro / website ( or perhaps I missed it?).

I believe I noticed some references to the Uno in your Makefile, which probably gave me the idea that it was , at least in part adapable to the Uno, and perhaps other boards. I think if there was a route to you guys to create a "lite" version incorperated into your std firmware, using the Uno or similar that would be well received by many. Say 3 or 4 axes, pwm and couple of IOs, this would fit the needs of many a small desktop machine.

I'm in the UK and not a student ( semi retired fossil in fact) Thanks for the generous offer though. I will take it for a spin as and when I get around to buying a 2560, or it is ported to something I have :)

I look forward to the evolution of your creation. Thanks again for making it public and accessible.

Final question for today...

Why Linuxcnc rather than Machinekit, the more usual arm choice. I'm just curious?

Cheers

MrGreg

Joel's picture

Projects like Machinekit/LaserWeb are more intended for a print-server/HMI design, but we wanted the entire CAD/CAM/CNC packages in a desktop OS people can adapt as needed. Our goal is a single download that supports common hardware like 3D printers, 3D scanners, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, CNC lathes and so on... Yet also use a design that can recycle hardware people typically already have around, and use modules that are heavily documented already.  

I have done non-industrial projects like Machinekit's Microchip based boards before, and they can be difficult for the end users to modify/debug (PIC compilers are unkind to the uninitiated). Not really a solution for students, as we are trying to finish an inexpensive EDM sinker mill-addon design for putting sub-mm holes in steel and carbides.

The Arduino makefiles are generic, and do support many different boards. The firmware we support is for the atmega2560 ($10 delivered), as the legacy boards were not powerful enough to run a 5-colour printer the way we wanted. We needed a complete 8-bit wide port to latch synchronously, and the Arduino PCB layout was never designed with this in mind.

We gifted a motherboard to the Heekscnc author in the UK a few months back (along with several others), as we have found his open-source software very useful over the years.  The shipping is about 70 pounds if I recall (not sure if they added VAT taxes on his end), but if you promise to post a photo of a Stuart model steam engine... I'll send you one with the Arduino for free.  I probably should stop doing this, as I get in trouble from Mrs. Claus.  ;-) 

OK for starters?

You might like this one as well, it's a full size steamer, PS Waverly ( The last sea going paddle steamer)

I took the pic circa 10yrs back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Waverley

Your clarification helps put the project and purpose in greater perspective. The EDM thing sounds interesting. I've not done any spark erosion for about 30+yrs.

Cheers & Thanks

MrGreg

admin: edited to remove large img tag URIs from tripping fail2ban

Firstly the little missing Stuart model

 

And now the missing bigger steam engine from the Waverly

Hope you enjoy them

Cheers & Thanks

MrGreg