Re: EMC and Taig w/ MicroProto and DeskCNC

Response to Message #88326
Anders, again thank you for taking the time to respond to my
questions. You had a question {{Anders Wallin <anders.wallin@...>
wrote:
I don't understand what you mean here... > OR can I "put" the MACH
or DeskCNC or VS-3D file G-code file into EMC2? }}. As you
mentioned later in your post - {{EMC2 will be able to interpret and
machine using G-code created by any program that produces "standard"
G-code. I've used Mastercam and Surfcam. G-code from Mach or DeskCNC
will probably run fine.}}
All I am asking is, do I cut and paste the thousands of lines of G-
code from VS-3D, or DeskCNC, or Mastercam into a EMC2 program, or
does EMC2 somehow get the G-code file from a file folder on my
desktop, that I somehow specify in my EMC2 program?

I guess I'm trying to be eclectic, choosing the best features from
DeskCNC and EMC2, maybe VS-3D and combining them across platforms.
I guess I'm trying to devise a Fanuc parametric programming
capability out of hobby software thru EMC2.

Again back to my application - {{> I would want to do this, to be
able to create a variable information list ( names ) in G-code, in a
EMC2 Do Loop to engrave n=1 name, on "nested" part 1, engrave n=2
name on "nested" part 2, etc. I would also like to nest a sobroutine
within the Do Loop to center the variable width name on some defined
X direction coordinate.}} VS-3D does justification (centering on a
defined location), and I probably can do pseudo (manual) "nesting",
and name listing, and then tell DeskCNC to engrave name one on work
piece one, then move over to work piece two, and engrave name two.
But I will have to do all this "manually", and that could get
tedious with a list of 100 names to be engraved on 100 nested fixed
information work pieces.

You mentioned {{That's probably doable with the O-words as described
in the wiki. Mach or DeskCNC will probably not be able to create
this kind of G-code for you automatically though...}}. You are most
likely right. What software designers are missing (probably because
they are focusing on machining parts), is the opportunity of
personalization. Each part having a unique feature, (serial number,
to chose a boring example).

You also mentioned, {{OK.. I'm not familiar with the DeskCNC
solution. I wonder what, if anything, the controller that sits
between your parallell port and the geckodrives does ? Geckos can
be run directly from the parallell port using step/dir signals.}}
From what I understand DeskCNC uses the printer cable parallel port
to communicate the step and direct signals from the PC by serial
port to the DeskCNC electronics card I have integrated into my KDN
Tool electronics controller (which also has integrated 4 axis Gecko
driver cards). The DeskCNC card (electronics) opto isolates my PC
from the stepping motor drive electronics (break out board
function), and buffers the step and direct signals so that the PC
can keep up with the controll electronics. There are probably other
functions provided by the DeskCNC card that I do not know anything
about.

Complex sculpting with VS-3D (Daniel Carr of Designs Computed,
actually sculpted some of the state quarters that the US mint used
as masters to coin the quarters) requires many thousands of G-code
lines. Imagine after a few hours of machining with a high speed
spindle, that the CNC software hick ups in the PC, and ruins the
work piece, aaaaagh!!!! That's one reason I chose DeskCNC. As I
mentioned KDN Tool and Designs Computed colaborated together to
establish feasibility for running VS-3D G-code thru DeskCNC.

Anders, you mentioned in response to a question of mine, {{EMC =
Enhanced Machine Controller. Software. Usually used for controlling
machine tools based on G-code. On the hardware side EMC can be used
with the parallell port or a number of pci-cards or external
hardware which offer higher step-rates than the parallell port,
and/or high speed encoder counters (not possible with parallell
port), and/or analog input/output channels required by some
servodrives.}}

Is EMC2 free for download? If there is a price to download EMC2,
what is the web site url?

The best to you Anders, and thank you for your patience, and candid
answers to my questions.

Bill Perun