Hello all, Configuring LinuxCNC has been much easier due to the creation of a wizard called pncconf. In this video, I talk through the use of this wizard to configure LinuxCNC for my hardware configuration.
Here are some notes to which I referred in the video:
Where to get linuxCNC:
o go to www.linuxcnc.org/downloads
- I used this OS/LinuxCNC prebuild image (.iso)
LinuxCNC 2.8.2 Debian 10 Buster PREEMPT-RT ISO
o From the website: "The Debian 10 Buster ISO uses a PREEMPT-RT patch which is close to mainstream Linux but does not, in some cases, give quite such good realtime performance as the previous RTAI kernel. It is very often more than good enough. It should probably be the first version tried even if using a parallel port. This is compatible with all Mesa and Pico interface boards."
o Write to DVD or USB Stick, boot from it and load like any other OS image
pncconf documentation:
o linuxcnc.org/docs/html/config/...
o choose "Axis Configuration" for axis and homing configuration
Pinout Information:
o On store.mesanet.com find "5i25" and go to [Specification] tab, download "Manual"
- Page 5 has the mapping of DB25 pins (back panel of 5i25 to g540) to "IO(n)" in LinuxCNC
o On www.geckodrive.com select "PRODUCTS" at the top an navigate to the G540 page
- roll down and select the "User Guide" tab
- open the "G540 Manual Rev8" and go to Page 7 for the "Main Terminal Block Pinout" (MTB)
o Note that the stepper motor step/direction are internally connected to the DB9 in the G540
Note that the CHARGE PUMP connection is made internally to the G540
Note that the ESTOP connection is internally connected to DB25 Pin 15
o In the "pncconf Wizard" tool go to the Mesa Card 0, [IO Connector 3] page
o Steps/inch Calculations:
- Motor is 1.8 deg/step, or 200 steps/rev
- Gecko G540 is a fixed 10X micro-stepping
- Leadscrew is a (measured/confirmed) 2 rev/inch
- 200 x 10 x 2 = 4000 steps/inch
- 0.00025 inch/step
Limit Switch Inputs:
Signal G540 MTB "IO" pncconf
--------------- -------- ---- -------
X+/- Limit/Home 1 IO13 013
Y- Limit/Home 2 IO14 014
Y+ Limit 3 IO15 015
Ztop Limit/Home 4 IO16 016
E-stop 10 IO3 003
CHARGE PUMP N/A IO5 005
Please adjust all above for the specific hardware you use and as always, be cautious ... this video is informational only, and I and/or this channel take no responsibility as to its efficacy and/or use.