SuperCam Machine Control Software
Posted by
azdlb
on 2006-08-03 08:26:17 UTC
The SuperCam is a real time graphical operating system for machine
tools. It imports HPGL, DXF, BMP and G-code files and directly
controls the attached machine. G-code files can be imported and
executed that are compatible with the Fanuc 6M controller.
When using HPGL, DXF and BMP there is no translation to G-code
files. The user either executes the complete drawing or can pick
the graphic items individually and causes the machine to follow the
path of the graphic item.
The SuperCam is a CAD interface to the attached machine. It lets
the user draw tool paths directly to the graphics area. There are
seventeen fonts so it is often used for engraving applications. The
user can draw arcs, circles, lines, points or text.
Graphic items can be moved, copied, scaled, rotated and erased. The
order in which the graphic items are to be executed can be changed
by the change order command. The direction of the cut can be
changed by the swap ends command.
There are also lead in and lead out commands for creating lines that
attach to existing graphic items, this is for creating smooth
transitions to items being cut on the machine. This is particularly
useful with Plasma Torch tables.
The SuperCam can be configured for 3 axis machines such as routers
and milling machines or Plasma Torch, Flame cutters or Laser
machines. The program automatically controls the relays depending
on the machine that it is configured for. When a spindle type
machine is attached the relay A is turned on at the beginning of the
tool path execution and of when execution is completed. When the
machine attached is using a Plasma Torch, Flame cutter or Laser the
relay A is turned on at the beginning of each graphic item and off
when the items tool path has been completed. There are
configurable delays for initially letting the spindle spin up to
speed or the air line to be cleared for a Plasma Torch. There are
also configurable delays for piercing at the beginning of a cut and
cut completion.
The graphical display can be either 2D or 3D, and is changed by
keying the F6 function key. The F10 key switches the graphic
display to a multi view port setup with four(4) different views
being displayed simultaneously, each view port can be either 2D or
3D. This gives the user many different viewing options.
The SuperCam does export G-code files from imported HPGL, DXF and
BMP imported files. And the files generated are compatible with the
Machx line of programs.
The SuperCam drives machine tools via the parallel port, by
generating step and direction signals or direct motor phase
signals. It was the program that was sold with the first Taig Micro
Mills and has been around along time. The maximum steps per second
are just under 100 khz and is compatible with DOS and Windows 9x
operating systems. Motor control signals are created by a real time
operating system that is flash booted when machine activity is
required, when motor activity is completed the original operating
system is given control again and computer operation returns to
normal.
When the attached machine in motion the graphical display is real
time animated. That is the current machine's carriage location is
shown in the graphic area of the display. When the machine is
cutting, a circle is drawn corresponding to the size of the cutting
tool. When the machine is above the surface of the material the
machine's carriage is represented by a small cross hair.
Machine feed rates can be changed in the midst of a tool path
execution by using the F2 or F3 function key. Each keystroke
increases or decreases the feed rate by five(5) percent.
Moving the machine around the work area is accomplished by the
MoveTo command in which the user uses the mouse to point and click
on where to place the machine's carriage. This makes machine setup
very easy. After the mouse pointer is clicked the machine moves the
carriage to the coordinates specified by the mouse.
My latest version of SuperCam is SuperCamXp, which is compatible
with the Windows XP operating system. It has just about all the
same features of the original SuperCam. At the time of this writing
it does not include the ability to import BMP files.
SuperCamXp works via the USB port and is a true multi-threaded
application. It is possible to run multiple machines simultaneously
from the same desktop computer as well as other applications while
the attached machines are executing tool path movements.
SuperCamXp works via my CamPod, which is USB to parallel, port
adapter. It is a small box that has a USB connector on one end and
a DB25 female connector on the other end. It is plug and play
compatible with my line of motor controllers, and can be adapted to
just about any of the existing parallel port controllers on the
market. The PWB inside the CamPod has been made so pin signal
assignments can be changed by cutting traces and attaching jumpers
to different DB25 pins. It is being successfully used with the
Microproto step and direction controllers.
Dennis Bohlke
http://www.super-tech.com
tools. It imports HPGL, DXF, BMP and G-code files and directly
controls the attached machine. G-code files can be imported and
executed that are compatible with the Fanuc 6M controller.
When using HPGL, DXF and BMP there is no translation to G-code
files. The user either executes the complete drawing or can pick
the graphic items individually and causes the machine to follow the
path of the graphic item.
The SuperCam is a CAD interface to the attached machine. It lets
the user draw tool paths directly to the graphics area. There are
seventeen fonts so it is often used for engraving applications. The
user can draw arcs, circles, lines, points or text.
Graphic items can be moved, copied, scaled, rotated and erased. The
order in which the graphic items are to be executed can be changed
by the change order command. The direction of the cut can be
changed by the swap ends command.
There are also lead in and lead out commands for creating lines that
attach to existing graphic items, this is for creating smooth
transitions to items being cut on the machine. This is particularly
useful with Plasma Torch tables.
The SuperCam can be configured for 3 axis machines such as routers
and milling machines or Plasma Torch, Flame cutters or Laser
machines. The program automatically controls the relays depending
on the machine that it is configured for. When a spindle type
machine is attached the relay A is turned on at the beginning of the
tool path execution and of when execution is completed. When the
machine attached is using a Plasma Torch, Flame cutter or Laser the
relay A is turned on at the beginning of each graphic item and off
when the items tool path has been completed. There are
configurable delays for initially letting the spindle spin up to
speed or the air line to be cleared for a Plasma Torch. There are
also configurable delays for piercing at the beginning of a cut and
cut completion.
The graphical display can be either 2D or 3D, and is changed by
keying the F6 function key. The F10 key switches the graphic
display to a multi view port setup with four(4) different views
being displayed simultaneously, each view port can be either 2D or
3D. This gives the user many different viewing options.
The SuperCam does export G-code files from imported HPGL, DXF and
BMP imported files. And the files generated are compatible with the
Machx line of programs.
The SuperCam drives machine tools via the parallel port, by
generating step and direction signals or direct motor phase
signals. It was the program that was sold with the first Taig Micro
Mills and has been around along time. The maximum steps per second
are just under 100 khz and is compatible with DOS and Windows 9x
operating systems. Motor control signals are created by a real time
operating system that is flash booted when machine activity is
required, when motor activity is completed the original operating
system is given control again and computer operation returns to
normal.
When the attached machine in motion the graphical display is real
time animated. That is the current machine's carriage location is
shown in the graphic area of the display. When the machine is
cutting, a circle is drawn corresponding to the size of the cutting
tool. When the machine is above the surface of the material the
machine's carriage is represented by a small cross hair.
Machine feed rates can be changed in the midst of a tool path
execution by using the F2 or F3 function key. Each keystroke
increases or decreases the feed rate by five(5) percent.
Moving the machine around the work area is accomplished by the
MoveTo command in which the user uses the mouse to point and click
on where to place the machine's carriage. This makes machine setup
very easy. After the mouse pointer is clicked the machine moves the
carriage to the coordinates specified by the mouse.
My latest version of SuperCam is SuperCamXp, which is compatible
with the Windows XP operating system. It has just about all the
same features of the original SuperCam. At the time of this writing
it does not include the ability to import BMP files.
SuperCamXp works via the USB port and is a true multi-threaded
application. It is possible to run multiple machines simultaneously
from the same desktop computer as well as other applications while
the attached machines are executing tool path movements.
SuperCamXp works via my CamPod, which is USB to parallel, port
adapter. It is a small box that has a USB connector on one end and
a DB25 female connector on the other end. It is plug and play
compatible with my line of motor controllers, and can be adapted to
just about any of the existing parallel port controllers on the
market. The PWB inside the CamPod has been made so pin signal
assignments can be changed by cutting traces and attaching jumpers
to different DB25 pins. It is being successfully used with the
Microproto step and direction controllers.
Dennis Bohlke
http://www.super-tech.com