faq
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faq [2020/01/21 09:25] – ivan | faq [2020/11/05 12:44] – ivan | ||
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++++ Is a PC required to use the myCNC controller? | | ++++ Is a PC required to use the myCNC controller? | | ||
- | Yes, a PC is required to run the myCNC software, which will be used to control the myCNC board. You can use a full industrial PC (such as the one provided in some controller kits in our Shop), or you can use a small single board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi, an Odroid or a TinkerBoard. The links to download the myCNC software are available at our [[https:// | + | Yes, a PC is required to run the myCNC software, which will be used to control the myCNC board. You can use a full industrial PC (such as the one provided in some controller kits in our Shop), or you can use a small single board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi, an Odroid or a TinkerBoard. The links to download the myCNC software are available at our [[https:// |
++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | ++++ Is a myCNC controller required to use the myCNC software? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yes, a myCNC controller is needed to use most of the functions of the myCNC software. The main software itself is free and can be downloaded from our [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The software can be downloaded and tested in Simulation mode, designed to help the user get a feel for the software layout and functions. However, the Simulation mode is highly restrictive, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====Software Setup==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ What are the login credentials for a computer running a custom Linux build? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | The login credentials for all Linux computers using the myCNC Ubuntu MATE installation are the following: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Login: **mycnc** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Password: **operator** | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
++++ How do I navigate the myCNC software? | | ++++ How do I navigate the myCNC software? | | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
- | ++++ Why is there no connection between my computer and the myCNC controller? | | + | ++++ How to load G-code or DXF files into the software? | |
- | If there doesn' | + | {{youtube> |
+ | |||
+ | The files that you are attempting | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{::forum-mar2020-002-code-folders.png}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | If a folder is not listed in the NC code folders list (or is not within one of the folders listed), you will not be able to open files from it within the myCNC application. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The following standard folders are used on Linux (Ubuntu MATE) installations: | ||
+ | |||
+ | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | To load file from your USB drive, you can add the following folder | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | The '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The following standard folders are used on Windows installations: | ||
+ | |||
+ | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | After you have listed the folders that you would like to have access to, you can open files using the **Open G-code** and **Open DXF** buttons from the main software screen: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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If updating manually, many users also prefer to keep their PLC folder intact to make sure any changes unique to their setups do not get overwritten by the default configuration. | If updating manually, many users also prefer to keep their PLC folder intact to make sure any changes unique to their setups do not get overwritten by the default configuration. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ How to switch the profile / technology? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | In order to switch the current technology / profile within the software (for example, to switch from the Mill profile to a Plasma profile, or from a Plasma profile to Tangential Cutting): | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Go into Settings > Info | ||
+ | * In the right panel, select the profile you'd like to switch to (for example, X1366P) | ||
+ | * Click the Save Profile button | ||
+ | * Reload the application | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The myCNC software should now switch to the chosen technology profile. | ||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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- | ++++ Why is the machine not moving despite the on-screen coordinates changing? | | + | ++++ How to set up homing? | |
- | If after the motors have been connected, the machine isn't moving despite the on-screen coordinates changing while pressing the jog keys, the pulse width might be set up incorrectly, | + | The following video is available |
- | Typically, if using a stepper motor, a higher setting number than the default should be chosen in order to allow the machine to register the pulses sent to it. | + | {{youtube> |
- | NOTE: The first value in the Pulse Width field in the myCNC settings refers to the first four movement directions for the controller (for example, X+, X-, Y+ and Y-), while the second value refers to the last two movement directions (for example, Z+ and Z-). Typically, these fields should be set to the same value, however they can be different if different drivers are used on the last two axes (motors 5 and 6) as compared to motors 1 through 4. | + | A full manual is available here: [[quickstart: |
++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | ++++ How to remove the homing dialog that keeps popping up when starting the program? | | ||
- | ++++ What to do if it seems like there is something wrong with the hardware? | | + | {{youtube> |
- | + | ||
- | First of all, go through the relevant hardware troubleshooting checklist available here: [[troubleshooting: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | If using an ET10 board, check that it was assembled correctly, using the images in this forum thread as reference: [[http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | If nothing comes up, write to us using our [[https:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ++++ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ++++ How to remove the homing dialog that keeps popping up when starting the program? | | + | |
The homing dialog is done through the HOMING_HANDLER Software PLC. If you would like to disable it, add a line saying exit(99); near the start of the code like so: | The homing dialog is done through the HOMING_HANDLER Software PLC. If you would like to disable it, add a line saying exit(99); near the start of the code like so: | ||
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< | < | ||
- | ++++ | + | For more information |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | ++++ Why do ports turn on/off automatically when opening and closing the program? | | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Check the _HANDLER_INIT and _HANDLER_EXIT Software PLCs for the starting and closing commands respectively (specifically, the '' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{::faq-qs-004-sofware-plc.png}} | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The '' | + | |
++++ | ++++ | ||
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++++ How to change Screen Size and Position | | ++++ How to change Screen Size and Position | | ||
- | Open **Settings** Tab | + | * Open **Settings** Tab |
- | Open the **Config** Tab | + | |
+ | * Select **Preferences**, | ||
- | {{mycnc:mycnc-language-select-7.png}} | + | {{::faq-qs-010-screen-size.png}} |
- | + | ||
- | Select **Preferences**, | + | |
- | {{mycnc: | + | |
There are few settings to control GUI screen size, position and window attributes | There are few settings to control GUI screen size, position and window attributes | ||
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DOES depend on OS/Window Manager. You might need to play with these settings to find a view | DOES depend on OS/Window Manager. You might need to play with these settings to find a view | ||
suitable for your needs.</ | suitable for your needs.</ | ||
- | |||
- | ++++ | ||
- | |||
- | ++++ Why do ClearPath drivers not work out of the box? | | ||
- | |||
- | ClearPath drivers will not out of the box unless using the line driver to 5V converters. Here is the official explanation from the ClearPath website as to why the ClearPath drivers are not directly compatible: | ||
- | |||
- | {{:: | ||
- | |||
- | Effectively, | ||
- | |||
- | More information about the converter boards is available here: [[other: | ||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
- | ++++Why does the Parts Library not show certain parts? | | + | ++++ How to change |
- | When entering the Parts Library, you may be greeted with an empty page, or a page that's missing some parts that are supposed | + | A quick video on switching mm to inches is available: |
- | {{: | + | {{youtube> |
- | + | ||
- | To remedy this, head into Settings > Config > Preferences > Shape Library Settings and make sure that the necessary libraries are selected by clicking the checkmark field. This setting is present to allow the operator to disregard all the part libraries which are not necessary for their particular machine: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Save and reload the application, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
++++ | ++++ | ||
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++++ How does the Run from Here procedure work? | | ++++ How does the Run from Here procedure work? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
In an event of an emergency stop or failure of a mill machine running a program file, it is often useful to be able to open the file back up afterwards and be able to continue from the middle of the program without having to go through all the steps again. This is often complicated by the fact that a large program file consists of many lines of code, making it difficult to easily navigate to the place where the cutting process stopped initially. In order to facilitate finding this spot, the Run from Here process is put in place in myCNC software. | In an event of an emergency stop or failure of a mill machine running a program file, it is often useful to be able to open the file back up afterwards and be able to continue from the middle of the program without having to go through all the steps again. This is often complicated by the fact that a large program file consists of many lines of code, making it difficult to easily navigate to the place where the cutting process stopped initially. In order to facilitate finding this spot, the Run from Here process is put in place in myCNC software. | ||
The Run from Here method is described in the following section of the myCNC Screen manual: [[http:// | The Run from Here method is described in the following section of the myCNC Screen manual: [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Troubleshooting ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why is there no connection between my computer and the myCNC controller? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | If there doesn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why do ports turn on/off automatically when opening and closing the program? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Check the _HANDLER_INIT and _HANDLER_EXIT Software PLCs for the starting and closing commands respectively (specifically, | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why is the tool change macro M6 not working? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | Check that the M6TXX tool change commands are accepted by the myCNC software (Settings > Config > G-codes settings > Tool Change M6TXX): | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why is the machine not moving despite the on-screen coordinates changing? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | If after the motors have been connected, the machine isn't moving despite the on-screen coordinates changing while pressing the jog keys, the pulse width might be set up incorrectly, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Typically, if using a stepper motor, a higher setting number than the default should be chosen in order to allow the machine to register the pulses sent to it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | NOTE: The first value in the Pulse Width field in the myCNC settings refers to the first four movement directions for the controller (for example, X+, X-, Y+ and Y-), while the second value refers to the last two movement directions (for example, Z+ and Z-). Typically, these fields should be set to the same value, however they can be different if different drivers are used on the last two axes (motors 5 and 6) as compared to motors 1 through 4. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ What to do if it seems like there is something wrong with the hardware? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | First of all, go through the relevant hardware troubleshooting checklist available here: [[troubleshooting: | ||
+ | |||
+ | If using an ET10 board, check that it was assembled correctly, using the images in this forum thread as reference: [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If nothing comes up, write to us using our [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++Why does the Parts Library not show certain parts? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | When entering the Parts Library, you may be greeted with an empty page, or a page that's missing some parts that are supposed to be there: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | To remedy this, head into Settings > Config > Preferences > Shape Library Settings and make sure that the necessary libraries are selected by clicking the checkmark field. This setting is present to allow the operator to disregard all the part libraries which are not necessary for their particular machine: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Save and reload the application, | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why do ClearPath drivers not work out of the box? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | ClearPath drivers will not out of the box unless using the line driver to 5V converters. Here is the official explanation from the ClearPath website as to why the ClearPath drivers are not directly compatible: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Effectively, | ||
+ | |||
+ | More information about the converter boards is available here: [[other: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
=====Plasma===== | =====Plasma===== | ||
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* Check that the reference voltage has been chosen correctly | * Check that the reference voltage has been chosen correctly | ||
{{hardware: | {{hardware: | ||
- | * In Settings > Config > Technology > THC, check that the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference and Alarm Arc Voltage Rise aren't set to a value that's too low - in cases where the reference and the measured voltage | + | * In Settings > Config > Technology > THC, check that the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference and Alarm Arc Voltage Rise aren't set to a value that's too low - in cases where the difference between |
{{: | {{: | ||
* Check that THC is enabled in the User Settings | * Check that THC is enabled in the User Settings | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Related articles**: | ||
+ | [[quickstart: | ||
+ | [[plc: | ||
+ | |||
+ |
faq.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/20 10:07 by ivan