[Kroko]

I found stupid typo bug in code. Radius compensation now works correctly.

Here is a screenshot showing toolpath with (green) and without (red) radius compensation.
Code example is from NIST site.


Second screenshot shows G43 (tool offset) toolpath cutting 5 holes to the same depth Z. First one without tool offset, second with positive offset (longer tool needs shorter path) third without offset, fourth with negative offset (shorter tool needs longer path) and fifth again without offset.

I will publish this version when I finish all tests (tommorow).

[Kroko]

New BETA version of software is available in download section of USB CNC Controller site.
User interface now uses DirectX for better performance. This version has much better G-Code visualization and simulation.

Visualization and simulation features are FREE but donations are always accepted.

There in no documentation yet so I'm available for any questions.

[Kroko]

I created video showing visualization and simulation features of new CNC USB Controller software.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD7_25aIobw"]YouTube - Toolpath simulation with CNC USB Controller[/ame]

[SWPadnos]

Hello.

It appears that your code is based on the EMC2 interpreter and the AXIS user interface. Since these programs are published under the GPLv2 license, I'd like to see the source code.

Thanks
- Steve

[Kroko]

My program is written in .NET and it's main purpose is to control machine through USB port.

I tried to create user interface similar to EMC2. I used DirectX in this new version which is unavailable on linux platform. I used NIST and EMC2 documentation for G-code interpretation and I studied EMC2 behavior in great detail. One of my goals was to be 100% compatible with EMC2. Source code was written by me!

If it looks too similar to EMC2 I can easly change this. Take a look on previous version (without DirectX) which looks totaly different.

Only thing that is "stolen" are toolbar icons which I took from EMC2 screenshot. I'll draw my own in few days.

[casainho]

Hello :-)

I would like to buy the Zenbot mini CNC.

I want to use EMC2, because I just use GNU/Linux and EMC2 looks great.

The Zenbot mini control box costs $300, would be possible to use instead your CNC USB Controller?

- I am looking for a USB solution, for controlling Zenbot mini, on GNU/Linux Ubuntu running EMC2.

Thank you.

[Kroko]

If you are using linux and you have parallel port then use EMC2.
My controller and software only works on windows.
I'm not familiar with The Zenbot mini control box.

[mactec54]

Hi Kroko

It looks like you have done a great Job on your software & hardware I wish that I needed
a stepper system I would try it out I use mostly AC servo's

[Xerxes]

Kroko, very impressive work! Not too many people would be capable of implemeting totally own CNC controller starting from own G-code interpreter.

25kHz is well enough if drive supports step multiplier (or resolution selection) with smoothing. Smoothing is important to reduce jerkiness of motion. Unfortunately not many drives support that, so higher frequency (say 10x or 100x more) would be nice for most users.

[korn]

I downloaded the software and it looks very promising.

i breadboarded an 18f4550 to try it and it connected fine and the machine controls became enabled

i was wondering what the pot is for ?

i gues the 8 keys jog the 4 step/dir outputs?

is there a menu or key to activate the coolant and spindle outputs?

I hope to experiment more tonight after work.

thank you for your time

[Kroko]

8 keys are limit switches which are not jet implemented.

You can also connect 8 keysjog and they jog 4 step/dir outputs. Speed of this jog is set by pot. See schematics_keysV10.pdf.

If keyjog 1 to 4 are pressed during pic initialization (after reset) microsteping is set. This is useful if you don't use software and you want jog to operate at correct speed.

If keyjog8 is pressed during initialization pic enters bootloader mode (led starts to blink very fast)

Latest version of software does not have keys to activate the coolant and spindle outputs. I'll add them in next version.

Andrej

[Hamish911]

Does the windows software of this controller work from within a virtual machine?
Has anyone tested this?

[Kroko]

Software uses DirectX which is not supported in virtual machines.

[Hamish911]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if I only want to upload the gcode to the controller, what do I need direct-x for?

I would much prefer a simple (commandline) upload tool that plain works(c) over a nice visually oriented program that ties me to a single platform (Windows in this case).

[Kroko]

I like nice DirectX user interface.

I tested VMware and it works. I didn't do any performace tests but it seems to work OK. My version of VMware is old and DirectX support is still in experimental state so there in no 3d graphics. I'll try to find someone with latest version and do some tests.

With Microsoft VirtualPC is not possible becouse iz does not support USB.

[Kroko]

I tried controller with VMware workstation 7 with WindowsXP installed and everything works - even 3d graphics.

Perhaps it even works in linux. I hope I can test this in couple of days .

[Kroko]

I adjusted couple of things in software and now it runs on Linux. I used Ubuntu 8.10, VMware player 3.0 with WindowsXP installed. There is no 3d graphics but controller runs without problems.

[Hamish911]

Thank you for testing these configurations Kroko!

[Kroko]

It has been a while since I last posted here.

New version is available. Also SDK is available for those who want to create their own software.

A list of new features is long.
- automatic homing procedure
- tool change procedure
- tool length measurment
- improved lookahead algorithms
- improved acceleration/deceleration algorithms
- limit switches
- jog keys
- and many more

Visit www.planet-cnc.com for more information, videos or software evaluation.

Andrej

[chawkiz]

hello Kroko nice work

hard and soft its very good

im new user of your software because i wait for my activation key


next update u need to make forum

and i need to be reseller in tunisia ok

thanks