Skip to main content

Progress_log

Progress log

User interface:

Small screen found to be inconvenient. Next to the inability to click on small features in the touchscreen, feed speed and coordinates and their reference frame are not clearly visible.

Laptop with large screen are added to the cnc setup. A VNC connection to the machine controller currently (august 2023) allows to use the planet cnc software to control the machine.

This has the benefit of offloading browsing the web from the pi, as well as having a browser window as the control software open on one screen. Huge improvement in terms of user comfort.

Next directions:

  • Find a way to reconfigure the old screen (7inch displ) to a DRO which also displays spindle speed and feedspeed. Look in direction of named pipe of Planet CNC software. What to do with second HDMI –> make pi dual screen? Getting rid of VNC allows simpler setup but puts more load on pi (no browsing allowable).
  • PHYSICAL EMERGENCY STOP NEEDED AT THE PC CONTROL (at screen/desk)
  • …

ESTOP Notice:

Lately (mid august 2023), issues with the ESTOP have been occuring. Sometimes, the ESTOP stays enabled even though all stopping conditions are reset (button released, doors closed, reset in software, …). After several restarts of the controller, software, resetting the controller/software, … without success, the hardware has been checked. Upon checking the continuity of the cable and button assembly (external to controller), it was noticed that some sort of bad contact is present in the button or connector. Reseating the connector or pressing/releasing the button the right way solves the issue.

Recommendations:

  • The ESTOP button seems to be unbranded. REPLACE with branded (quality) one.
  • The connectors are secured at the controller side using a screw jacket. However, the (low) quality of the connector does not allow it to be tightened. BETTER CONNECTORS FOR THE ESTOP CABLES are strongly adviced.
  • …

Dust collection

See design in respective SharePoint folder. Still in design phase. Antistatic hose will be used. It was decided Thursday 19/08/2023 to use the Planet CNC Mk3/4 outputs to start and stop the vacuum system through the G-code. In terms of reliability, this approach is believed to be more predictable than using the vibration based Metabo switch used by Mekanika.

Since this means that hardware is developed to use the Mk3/4 inputs and outputs, hardware will be provided for all of them. The extra capacity can be used in future additions/mods. The design will be included in this folder when finished.

Dust collection is the main hurdle in the way of starting and gaining milling experience.