faq
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faq [2020/06/05 13:10] – ivan | faq [2024/02/20 10:06] – ivan | ||
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======Frequently Asked Questions====== | ======Frequently Asked Questions====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Unfolded version: [[faq_unfolded|Frequently Asked Questions]] | ||
=====General===== | =====General===== | ||
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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 | + | Yes, a PC is required to run the myCNC software, which will be used to control |
++++ | ++++ | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Can the myCNC software be customized to the client' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yes, the software can be extensively customized, both visually and under-the-hood (via custom PLC/macro commands). Client logos can be added to the main software screen, and the screens themselves can be customized via the XML configuration files which are open and available to every user. Read more about XML file editing here: [[mycnc: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The myCNC team also undertakes customization projects. The exact price depends on the size of the customization project and the necessary features. For more information, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ What sort of technical support is provided? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | The myCNC team provides technical support for our controllers and the CNC systems utilizing them. Our technical support can be broadly separated into two categories: | ||
+ | |||
+ | **1) Free technical support** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Free technical support includes things that are largely development-free, | ||
+ | |||
+ | * How do I set up the network settings? | ||
+ | * How do I use the probe sensor window? | ||
+ | |||
+ | It also deals with solving general user errors and issues which do not include a large amount of programming, | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Help in finding errors within your G-code program | ||
+ | * Troubleshooting tips | ||
+ | * General recommendations for the selection of drives, sensors, etc (provided the team has experience with the particular configuration you are trying to implement) | ||
+ | |||
+ | **2) Paid technical support** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paid technical support deals with more complex tasks for which it is difficult to give a standard generalized answer, and may include a large amount of programming on the part of the myCNC team. This will often involve the myCNC team remotely connecting to your computer/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paid technical support typically covers things such as: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Developing custom PLC procedures that have not been previously implemented in myCNC, or finding and identifying errors in your custom PLC procedures | ||
+ | * Step-by-step guidance on setting up the machine from scratch (includes a remote connection to your workstation). | ||
+ | * Help with creation of custom profiles and profile screens | ||
+ | |||
+ | The myCNC-ET7 controller comes with one hour of paid technical support bundled with your purchase. The myCNC-ET10 comes bundled with two hours of paid technical support. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For requesting technical support, or for more information on pricing, please use the Contact Us page form on our main website, or email us at mail@pv-automation.com. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
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- | ++++ What are the login credentials for a computer running a custom Linux build? | + | === 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: | The login credentials for all Linux computers using the myCNC Ubuntu MATE installation are the following: | ||
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Password: **operator** | Password: **operator** | ||
- | ++++ | ||
++++ How do I navigate the myCNC software? | | ++++ How do I navigate the myCNC software? | | ||
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++++ How to load G-code or DXF files into the software? | | ++++ How to load G-code or DXF files into the software? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
The files that you are attempting to load must be located in folders that are specified in the **Settings > Config > Preferences > Common** fields for **NC code folders**. If a folder that you would like to load your files from is missing, add it on a new line and press the Save Configuration button: | The files that you are attempting to load must be located in folders that are specified in the **Settings > Config > Preferences > Common** fields for **NC code folders**. If a folder that you would like to load your files from is missing, add it on a new line and press the Save Configuration button: | ||
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'' | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | To load file from your USB drive, you can add the following folder to the NC code folders list: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
The '' | The '' | ||
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++++ How to switch the profile / technology? | | ++++ How to switch the profile / technology? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
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): | 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): | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ Why do the changes to Config/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The settings in the Config panel are typically edited by the system integrator only when setting up the machine. After completing the setup process, or in cases when the settings within the Config tab are changed, it is recommended to restart the program. All changes to the settings available to the operator (from the main screen / via User Settings) take effect immediately without rebooting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
++++ How to roll back to a previous version of the software? | | ++++ How to roll back to a previous version of the software? | | ||
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For more information on this homing dialog, please consult the full [[quickstart: | For more information on this homing dialog, please consult the full [[quickstart: | ||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ How to set up default I/O ports' names? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | The default names for the I/O ports that can later be used in your Hardware and Software PLCs can be set up in the pins.h file (located by heading into Settings -> Config -> PLC -> Hardware PLC -> pins.h). A video on the pins.h file is available here: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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{{youtube> | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | To change the system from one set of units to another, confirm the following options: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Specify G20/G21 within the system (if that command is not already present in the G-code program). This can be done by typing the G20/G21 command (depending on the desired unit system) into the MDI. See video above for more information. | ||
+ | - Change the G-code settings (//Settings > Config > G-codes settings > Linear Unit//) to inch/mm. | ||
+ | - Change the Visualization settings (//Settings > Config > Screen > Display Linear Axes In//) to inch/mm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Do not forget to save after steps 2 and 3. | ||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
- | ==== Troubleshooting ==== | + | ++++ What's the difference between axes and motor outputs | |
+ | |||
+ | The difference between motors and axes is that multiple motors can be used for the same axis. For instance, a gantry may use two motors for the two sides of the machine during the alignment, however they are both still the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | If a "dual axis" is required, then you can assign a specific axis (for instance, axis Y) to two motors. This "slave Y" setup is illustrated in the following section of the manual: [[mycnc: | ||
+ | |||
+ | For tool change macros (M6) you'd need to move one motor to some parking location and switch the Z axis to a new motor output. This change between different motor outputs is illustrated in the following example: [[mycnc: | ||
+ | |||
+ | A visual way of thinking about the concept of switching motors is to imagine that one needs to draw a coloured picture on a piece of paper with six different coloured pencils. Such an operation does not require six arms to complete - instead, one arm (one axis) may be enough. All that is required is to switch the pencils (different motors) by leaving them on the side of the table in some sort of a " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Hardware Setup and Troubleshooting ==== | ||
++++ Why is there no connection between my computer and the myCNC controller? | | ++++ Why is there no connection between my computer and the myCNC controller? | | ||
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++++ Why do ports turn on/off automatically when opening and closing the program? | | ++++ 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, | Check the _HANDLER_INIT and _HANDLER_EXIT Software PLCs for the starting and closing commands respectively (specifically, | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ How does encoder resolution work in myCNC? | | ||
+ | |||
+ | On modern servo drivers, the motor encoder connects directly to the servo driver and does not connect to the myCNC controller. Therefore, the encoder system, whether the encoder is absolute or incremental, | ||
+ | |||
+ | The servo driver has outputs for emulation of the incremental encoder ABZ. It is these signals that should be sent to the controller to obtain information about the rotor' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Within myCNC, the resolution (number of pulses per revolution) is usually a parameter of the servo driver that can be adjusted, and therefore is not directly related to the physical resolution of the actual encoder. | ||
++++ | ++++ | ||
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If using an ET10 board, check that it was assembled correctly, using the images in this forum thread as reference: [[http:// | 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:// | + | If nothing comes up, write to us using our [[https:// |
++++ | ++++ | ||
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{{: | {{: | ||
- | Save and reload the application, | + | Note that the libraries must be present within the opt/ |
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Save the settings | ||
{{: | {{: | ||
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++++ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Related articles**: | ||
+ | * [[quickstart: | ||
+ | * [[plc: | ||
+ | * [[mycnc: | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====FAQs for obsolete boards/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++How to install myCNC on Cubieboard2? | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1. Number of packages are needed to run myCNC sofware on Cubieboard2. | ||
+ | To install it run - | ||
+ | sudo | ||
+ | sudo | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2. Download myCNC-arm-linux last distribution file from download page. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3. Run the file with administrator rights: | ||
+ | |||
+ | sudo ./ | ||
+ | |||
+ | 4. Press Y < | ||
+ | |||
+ | 5. Press Y < | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6. Enter myCNC destination folder (" | ||
+ | |||
+ | 7. Installation will be finished in a few seconds. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 8. To run the myCNC software use script file myCNC.sh in myCNC folder. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++How to set up the controller IP via command line? | | ||
+ | In command line while starting myCNC software with option " | ||
+ | For example, Linux: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ./ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Windows: | ||
+ | |||
+ | c: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Command line option " | ||
+ | |||
+ | However when " | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you have different IP address settings in " | ||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ How to transfer a profile to a different machine through Profile Archive | | ||
+ | myCNC can store current profile snapshot to mySQL database file. This file can be transfered to another computer and profile restored form the archive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | By default database file is stored in - | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | To store current profile press " | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{:: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ++++How to change the scale of a G-code program via Server API? | | ||
+ | There are 2 version of command " | ||
+ | |||
+ | For both commands g-code program should be loaded to myCNC by runnig command " | ||
+ | Example: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ProgramFileOpen / | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1) Command " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Format: SetScale < | ||
+ | Example: | ||
+ | |||
+ | SetScale 3.5 | ||
+ | |||
+ | (myCNC software will open g-code file defined by command " | ||
+ | |||
+ | If " | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | {avsplayer videoid=1} | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2)Command " | ||
+ | |||
+ | For some applications " | ||
+ | |||
+ | When running " | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Example: | ||
+ | |||
+ | SetScale++ 2.75 | ||
+ | |||
+ | SetRotationAngle++ 1.77 | ||
+ | ++++ | ||
+ | |||
+ |
faq.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/20 10:07 by ivan