[Pplug]

I can reproduce the error with any G code from any program wether its located on the HD, network, or USB drive.

Here is a video showing the problem. You can see the hand controller, screen and router.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87tkx1FWBww"]Techno - YouTube[/ame]

[ericscottf]

All this bouncing back and forth in this thread is starting to get by me. Also, i wanted this to be a features thread, not a tech support thread.
Can we do this by email? I'll PM you my address (I don't want spammers getting it)

thanks
Eric

[Pplug]

Sorry, I think I confused the two issues we were discussing! It's been a long day at school with the kids.

[Pplug]

New feature:

Modbus spindle control please! We can use a USB adapter to get a rs432 port to control a vfd at exact speeds.

[ericscottf]

We offer a 14 bit DAC board for spindle speed control.

That being said, I'll add a modbus message command to my list, so you can do whatever you want with it.

[cncgg]

Skip-to-line starting of files
Cutter compensation

Those would be great features. We had that on our Thermwood at work and used it.

Cutter comp would be great for the resharpened bits. Now I have to repost with the new tool diameter.

Also skip to line start of files, I usally repost what I need if I have an issue.

Thanks, Glenn

[ericscottf]

Both of those are on my list.

The issue with cutter comp is when working with already comped geometry (output from mastercam, visual mill, enroute, etc), you need markers indicating what happened in what direction (called wear mode in mastercam), which most CAM packages don't have. The ones that do have it all dictate slightly differently, so parsing it is annoying (but doable).

One other issue is one of scope. Sure, it's easy to re-comp by a thou or ten left or right due to a sharpened cutter that is now a bit smaller... But what happens when someone wants to comp a quarter inch larger cutter in, and the cutter can no longer fit down a narrow channel? Now we're in the territory of having to write a good chunk of a cam package (visuals, collision detection, etc), and at that point, it'd just be better to go back to your main cam software, which has way better info about the part than I could glean from an NC file...

Anyway, long story short:

Skip-to-line starting: Will be in version 1.424 - likely with an added feature that nobody else has
cutter compensation: I'm working on it, and a method of doing small amounts of simple compensation at the machine will be ready after I test it a lot more. Don't expect miracles with this, though.

[Montabelli]

Eric, what's the eta of the new interface? will it run with all pci cards as well as some new offering?

[ericscottf]

I'm hoping to get it out within 2 more months, though that might just be the beta. The problem is that people keep asking me to add more things on to it, and to the new controller that it is aimed at.

The software will work seamlessly with the new and existing servo controllers.
Nearly all of the requests in this thread will be taken care of in the software.

Eric

[Grant Nicholson]

I have a new HDS coming, and look forward to seeing the new interface when it arrives. I'm hoping it shows the depth of cut in some way, shape or form...

[Grant Nicholson]

Just read the part of the thread about cutter compensation - How awesome that would be! It would mean the machine operator could select the bit(s) to be used, instead of the guy producing the design/tooling - there'd be less confusion!

[ericscottf]

Can you tell me more specifically what you're looking for here? I'm always keen to hear about what people want to see in the interface, and I'd be happy to add it if it isn't already there.

thanks!

I have a new HDS coming, and look forward to seeing the new interface when it arrives. I'm hoping it shows the depth of cut in some way, shape or form...

[Pplug]

In Galaad, when machining, there is a red bar that drops from the top of the screen. The bar proportionally shows how deep the z axis is. It goes up and down as the z axis travels up and down. The only use I've ever seen from that feature is you can tell at a glance if you are on the final pass of a profile cut. I'm sure others have better uses than mine.

[ericscottf]

Is the digital readout showing all 3 axes position insufficient?

[Pamela578]

All this bouncing back and forth in this thread is starting to get by me. Also, i wanted this to be a features thread, not a tech support thread.

[Pplug]

Personally, I think it's fine the way it is but who knows what others think.

[ontariocnc]

Sweet!!

I just installed the software a couple of days ago and was a little disappointed that is seemed to be missing key features; I was elated when I found this post and read that you will be adding ALL the features that I felt it was missing.

[joejared]

Hello Techno CNC users,

My name is Eric and I've been with Techno CNC for the past 9+ years. I'm currently responsible for mechanical/structural design and software design. Some of you may have spoken to me in the past.

I'd like to point out a couple improvements I've made to both old and new machines. For the older machines, I have developed a bearing housing kit to get away from the spherical bearing combinations, and in both cases, use the 7200B bearings instead of 6200RS. I think you've already made the switch in terms of bearing type, if my last purchase was any indicator. Since making the switch to Angular contact bearings, I've yet to have to replace even one set of thrust bearings. As to surface quality of the bearing housings, they are improved with the change to a 3/8" endmill in the manufacturing process from the original 1/4" tool used to make them, and the spacers no longer have flanges. As for the mounting screws, about the only necessary change for compatibility is to use low profile or button head screws, but they are a drop in replacement for the older design.

[joejared]

For my own routines for both 'touch off' on a proximity sensor and edge finding, after making contact, I have it back off about 1/16" and approach again, at a slower rate, much like a machinist would if performing these tasks by hand and for greater accuracy. I'm not sure what your code does. Here's a video of it in action.


The Video .