#linuxcnc Logs
Feb 12 2025
#linuxcnc Calendar
01:31 AM lcnc-relay: <meisterdippel@> moin
01:52 AM lcnc-relay: <TurBoss> morning
03:34 AM -!- #linuxcnc mode set to +v by ChanServ
04:46 AM Tom_L: morning
04:50 AM lcnc-relay: <onceloved.cn@> Does anyone know how to execute the halcmd command in shutdown.hal file
07:04 AM lcnc-relay: <meisterdippel@> thanks, I didn't know that before 🙂
07:04 AM lcnc-relay: <meisterdippel@> https://www.forum.linuxcnc.org/10-advanced-configuration/45764-exit-linuxcnc
07:56 AM lcnc-relay: <onceloved.cn@> meisterdippel@: Thanks I've done it
08:03 AM lcnc-relay: <meisterdippel@> I must also try to get my robot to move to a certain position when I quit
08:10 AM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> maybe 4 inches of snow today
08:45 AM -!- #linuxcnc mode set to +v by ChanServ
11:47 AM bjorkintosh: huh. finally managed to persuade proxmox to work.
11:48 AM bjorkintosh: which means I finally got netbsd running. only the second time I've ever managed to pull it off. I must say, the setup is now much simpler than it previously was.
12:22 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> how do i make the jog steps in probe basic be custom, so if i want a step of 4mm, it does it
12:22 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> set the ini jog increments
12:23 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> so it cant be done on the fly
12:23 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> no
12:24 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> those are to set the increment buttons
12:24 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> is there no GUI that lets you set the steps on the fly
12:24 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> no
12:24 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> that would be terribly dangerous
12:24 PM Tom_L: i think flex could with the user numbered parameters
12:25 PM Tom_L: i'm not sure
12:25 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> Lcvette: well mach3 and grbl allow it
12:25 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> i thought its standard
12:25 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> allowing it and it being a good isea are very different thing
12:26 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> you would have to be very dumb in order for it to be dangerous
12:26 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> if you forget and have a large number int he custom increment and make a z motion move you could drive your spindle into work/vise/table with a single button click or mpg pulse
12:26 PM Tom_L: huursabg there are a few out there
12:26 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> lol.. no.. just forgetful or careless
12:27 PM lcnc-relay: <Lcvette> if you want custom motion use mdi
12:27 PM Tom_L: or map the mdi to a button
12:27 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> what mode for the parallel port should i set in the bios, i have STD printer mode, epp and spp and so on
12:27 PM Tom_L: epp
12:28 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> i use an lpt header on the motherboard
12:30 PM Tom_L: In a parallel port, "SPP" stands for "Standard Parallel Port" which is the basic, slower mode of data transfer, while "EPP" stands for "Enhanced Parallel Port," a faster mode that allows for bidirectional data transfer
12:31 PM Tom_L: EPP is newer
12:32 PM Unterhaus__ is now known as Unterhausen
12:33 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> appreciated
12:34 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> do these help lower the jitter rcu_nocbs, rcu_nocb_poll, nohz_full
01:01 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> isolcpus= (highest core number starting with 0) idle=poll
01:02 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> oh - watch wes work is not a linuxcnc fan.. He would rather use grbl as it is better documented. (and doesn't like that the TP is in realtime)
01:04 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> (new video from him today - Unrealted to cnc. lol)
01:10 PM roycroft: i watched a video yesterday that made me smile, but i unfortunately did not bookmark it
01:10 PM roycroft: it was a teen-age boy building a radio from scratch
01:11 PM roycroft: er, not a radio for that one - a power amplifier
01:11 PM roycroft: but it was really from scratch - most of the video was him making the two vacuum tubes he used for the amp
01:12 PM roycroft: to see young kids take an interest in that technology is great
01:13 PM * roycroft has thought for a long time that early 20th century devices like that are a great way to teach electronics theory
01:14 PM bjorkintosh: there was a video from a while back of a fellow who made vacuum tubes from scratch.
01:14 PM bjorkintosh: really neat.
01:15 PM bjorkintosh: wait, is this the video you saw roycroft? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UEfqAWb3fE
01:15 PM roycroft: there are several that i've seen ,but this is the first time i saw a kid making them
01:15 PM roycroft: yeah, that's the one
01:16 PM roycroft: a bit crude, but it works
01:16 PM bjorkintosh: this is the one I saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzyXMEpq4qw
01:16 PM bjorkintosh: for whatever reason, I thought vacuum tubes were completely obsolete and unavailable.
01:16 PM bjorkintosh: I was wrong.
01:17 PM roycroft: they are definitely not
01:17 PM bjorkintosh: they're neither scarce nor rare.
01:17 PM roycroft: a lot of high-end hifi gear uses them now, and they use some very expensive, paired tubes
01:18 PM roycroft: there used to be a lot of tubes available from ukraine, but not so many since the war started
01:18 PM bjorkintosh: they're about as rare as chicken eggs.
01:18 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> The intel B580 is back in stock at newegg according to my 'back in stock' email. Can put it in my cart but when I go to buy it - it says out of stock.
01:18 PM roycroft: ukraine sellers were the best sources of nixie tubes, specifically, but all sorts of (mostly russian) tubes used to come from there
01:19 PM bjorkintosh: I was mistaken in my thinking.
01:20 PM * roycroft is getting "hi, i'm dave from walmart" phone spams now - several/day
01:20 PM * roycroft doubts his name is dave, and doubts he is from walmart, but doesn't doubt the he is trying to scam people
01:22 PM xxcoder: reminds me of that time I got message on lottery scam. I talked with guy for a bit, and guy told me I'd get message from lawyer
01:23 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> oh - I was able to buy one!
01:23 PM xxcoder: sure. I completely ignored the lawyer. then I told the scam guy that I paid fees, and got lottery money and as thanks, I paid lawyer 20%, to be split half between themselves
01:23 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> maybe there was a delay between when it was back in stock and actually back in stock
01:24 PM xxcoder: guy was really angry and wanted the money sent, but I kept telling that person that I dont want to send more money
01:24 PM xxcoder: funny that guy ignored the fact that I kept adding $10,000 to lottery amount each time I menioned it
01:28 PM xxcoder: my final message was basically this "look, lawyer has your half, and problem is between you and your lawyer, not me" and blocked lol
01:28 PM xxcoder: I never got, nor sent, any money lol
01:32 PM roycroft: well,it's above freezing finally
01:32 PM roycroft: now i can head down to the valley
01:32 PM * roycroft was supposed to leave at 9, but it was too icy
01:33 PM roycroft: we tied our record low last night at -8c
01:33 PM roycroft: but it's suppose to stay above freezing for the forseeable future, which means that the rain will be back soon
01:36 PM xxcoder: it looks like next 2 days might be snow here
01:37 PM xxcoder: which means I should do things I need to do today
01:37 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> I can't select just epp mode, it's epp and spp, spp, and ecp but there's no just epp in the bios
01:37 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> https://photos.app.goo.gl/qZER9NSnsRVZmPA57
01:38 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> then epp/spp
01:56 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> I did fine the f/v chip.. lol - It is probably from the 80's
01:56 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> https://photos.google.com/search/CgZhcmNoZXIiCAoGYXJjaGVyKNXWid3PMg%3D%3D/photo/AF1QipNUcsIcaVu9v2epV1PrNAhv6CKI2rUeID23y6k
01:56 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> oops
01:57 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> this link
01:57 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> https://photos.app.goo.gl/Csr1KGCq2MHtUsQWA
01:58 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> v/f is actually how I want to use it. Or I could just scavenge the mesa thc from the plasma.. But probably not. I do have an analog input board from mesa - but I don't want to waste that.
01:58 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> (for reading a pot)
02:13 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> skunkworks8841@ it works but regardless if I press - or + the stepper always goes in same direction
02:15 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> The pins are correct
02:16 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> then most likely your Dir pin isn't working..
02:17 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> on the BOB?
02:17 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> can you use a volt meter and test that the dir pin is working on the bob?
02:18 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> dont have such shit, i can just try with other pins
02:21 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> doesnt work with other pins either
02:24 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> fixed, it seems to be EMI
02:35 PM lcnc-relay: <skunkworks8841@> huursabg@ why did you switch to linuxcnc?
02:56 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> skunkworks8841@: backlash compensation
02:57 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> and more customization
02:57 PM JT-Woodshop is now known as C3-Shop
03:08 PM xxcoder: big task done, one small one to go
03:10 PM xxcoder: cleaned fan is much more powerful and are drying me up good
04:21 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> huursabg@ those kernel parameters can help
04:24 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> leave core 0 out of those though so things like kernel timekeeping and rcu callbacks can still happen on core 0
04:25 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> i.e. isolcpus=1-7 nohz_full=1-7 rcu_nocbs=1-7 on an eight-core
04:26 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> linuxcnc only uses the highest core available but i've noticed lower latency by applying those params but leaving out cpu 0
04:30 PM lcnc-relay: <huursabg@> ntulinux2467@where do i write the backlash thing? i added backlash= in the axis section and increased the stepgen by 1.5x but doesnt work
04:33 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> no idea lol
04:38 PM Tom_L: probably in the joint section
04:39 PM Tom_L: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/stable/html/config/ini-config.html#sub:ini:sec:joint-num
05:15 PM faheus7 is now known as faheus
05:22 PM -!- #linuxcnc mode set to +v by ChanServ
05:26 PM Tom_itx is now known as Tom_L
05:27 PM lechner: Hi, I'm just getting started. What's a good place on IRC, please, to ask basic questions not related specifically to LinuxCNC?
05:29 PM Tom_L: seems you found it
05:30 PM lechner: great!
05:33 PM lechner: Hi, I'm about to experiment with a Nomad Carbide 3 mill in my public library. The hours there are limited so I'm hoping for something at home. I am confused about my options
05:36 PM lechner: What do I need to build a small CNC mill for plastic? The workpiece is about 6 cm in diameter. I am proficient with mechanics and electronics, including flashing something like GRBL or G2code, if needed.
05:37 PM lechner: I would also be happy to use LinuxCNC if I can figure out how
05:39 PM lechner: i have G code
05:43 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> For plastic, 3d printing is honestly your better option baring some specific need. A Nomad 3 is not a bad starting point for CNC. I am partial to Taig machines as they are quite capable of working with everything including steel.
05:46 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> The question you need to ask yourself is "do I want a CNC as a hobby or to further a different hobby?" If you want to play with CNC as a hobby then building something might be for you. Otherwise, buy something off the shelf and save yourself a ton of time.
05:50 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> You also need to consider your budget. The minimum I would expect to spend to get a reasonably capable machine (ie able to do better than a 3d printer) with tooling and workholding is $3k.
05:52 PM Tom_L: or find a makerspace near you
05:53 PM lechner: lcnc-relay / okay, thanks! 3d printing is not an option. Right now, I am limited to transparent acrylic.
05:53 PM lechner: Tom_L / I have a public library but the makerspace is only open two days a week
05:53 PM Tom_L: lcnc-relay is a bot. the user is beside that
05:54 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> For acrylic, I usually laser cut and do 2.5d features using the engraving mode. It is a real pain to machine.
05:55 PM lechner: zincboy_ca_on / this is engraving via a mill?
05:56 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> No, in the laser. You can do pretty good depth control using the engraving mode.
05:56 PM lechner: via beam focus?
05:56 PM lechner: use use a CO2 laser?
05:56 PM lechner: you use?
05:57 PM lechner: how much for such a laser cutter?
05:57 PM lechner: Tom_L / thanks!
05:59 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> Yes, a CO2 laser. Adjusting the pass speed and laser power to control the depth of cut.
05:59 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> The machine I have is: https://omtechlaser.com/products/80w-co2-laser-engraver-cutting-machine-with-20-x-28-working-area-with-autofocus
06:00 PM lechner: okay, thanks! is it much slower than milling?
06:00 PM lechner: or maybe it's faster?
06:00 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> You can do it with a smaller/cheaper machine but the price doesn't go down that much.
06:01 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> Speed wise it is faster. But it would depend on exactly what you are trying to do. Artistic things will be much faster in general.
06:01 PM lechner: you control this machine via linuxcnc?
06:02 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> It would be technically possible to do so but it has an integrated controller. I use Linuxcnc for my mill and lathe.
06:02 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> for a co2 laser, you'd want something like "lightburn" for software, and a GRBL controller for the machine
06:03 PM lechner: I'd like to machine quarter-inch acrylic sheet (extruded or cast) into a complex shape up to 4mm deep
06:03 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> omtech looks like price-jacked chinese lasers to me
06:03 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> @lechner a laser is not what you want for that type of operation
06:04 PM lechner: i am thinking about machining first.
06:04 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> Yes, omtech is just the china lasers. But you get support and the price is pretty comparable once you factor shipping.
06:04 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> a small "wood router" desktop mill would work for that
06:04 PM lechner: what kind of resolution do you get when engraving acrylic with laser, please?
06:05 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> Yes, like the nomad 3. Machining acrylic is painful. You will want water coolant.
06:05 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> the issue is the depth of features you want
06:05 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> Yes, 4mm deep is a bit of a stretch.
06:05 PM lechner: i can machine first
06:05 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> its the lack of programmatic focus adjustment in most lasers
06:06 PM lechner: what happens if I focus the laser inside the acrylic, please?
06:06 PM lcnc-relay: <zincboy_ca_on@> I create feature on the order of 100um square. Beam width is about 50um or so.
06:06 PM lechner: wow
06:07 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9DFZC9S something like this would do acrylic machining well
06:08 PM lechner: thanks, is that loud?
06:09 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> about as loud as a dremel
06:09 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> that's basically what it is
06:11 PM lechner: then i need LinuxCNC or a microcontroller, right?
06:14 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> it has a controller, talks "GRBL"
06:14 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> you just feed it gcode files (basically)
06:17 PM lcnc-relay: <lechner (@lechner:matrix.org)> Hi, I can do matrix too
06:18 PM lcnc-relay: <lechner (@lechner:matrix.org)> That was actually my original question. If G-codes are standardized, why does software need a GRBL controller, please?
06:18 PM lcnc-relay: <lechner (@lechner:matrix.org)> some software like Candle
06:19 PM lcnc-relay: <lechner (@lechner:matrix.org)> 300 watts is a pretty powerful Dremel
06:20 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> the GRBL controller is converting the gcode to the stepgen signals for the motors to move
06:21 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> something needs to talk "motor", and that's below the level of gcode
06:22 PM lechner: okay, so that's just a way of saying "a G-code interpreter, but it could be g2code or proprietary"
06:22 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> its the code to machine translator, regardless of file input format
06:24 PM lcnc-relay: <lechner (@lechner:matrix.org)> okay, thanks everyone! that's enough to get started. i have to figure out if the Nomad at the library can actually do what I want. thank you so much for your time and your help today!
06:24 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> no worries, love to chat
06:47 PM xxcoder: whew finally done for the day lol
06:47 PM xxcoder: first time I see matrix version of nick long form. I have let turboss know about it so can be fixed
08:00 PM Unterhausen: I'm curious why the msft developers have never made changing environment variables nicer
08:01 PM Unterhausen: too busy copying 15 year old apple features, I suppose
08:09 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> it's simple, depending on the language
08:10 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> .NET Method
08:10 PM lcnc-relay: [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Foo", "Hello", "User") # For current user
08:10 PM lcnc-relay: [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Foo", "Hello", "Machine") # For all users
08:10 PM lcnc-relay: Powershell native
08:10 PM lcnc-relay: $env:Path += ";C:\New\Path"
08:26 PM bjorkintosh: rather verbose.
08:31 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> verbosity is a good thing, and .net tends to be, since its leveraging classes from CIM
08:32 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> what language are you working in?
08:34 PM bjorkintosh: bash
08:34 PM bjorkintosh: for setting environmental variables.
08:34 PM bjorkintosh: it's straight forward.
08:34 PM bjorkintosh: A=SomethingOrOther
08:34 PM bjorkintosh: done.
08:35 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> $env:Path += ";C:\New\Path"
08:35 PM lcnc-relay: isn't much different at all....
08:35 PM bjorkintosh: what's all this then? -> [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Foo", "Hello", "User")
08:35 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> the .Net method
08:36 PM bjorkintosh: how's that superior?
08:36 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> hence, why i asked the language ;_
08:36 PM bjorkintosh: bash.
08:36 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> the syntax varies depending on lanuage in windows, since powershell abstracts the .net, for example
08:37 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> not sure for bash on windows, since honestly, it's not native
08:37 PM bjorkintosh: not using windows at all.
08:37 PM bjorkintosh: it was Unterhausen who was curious.
08:37 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> wow, my appologies.... i must be tired
08:38 PM bjorkintosh: no worries.
08:38 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> didn't see the name change, it's hard (i'm on discord) with all the user icons being the same
08:38 PM bjorkintosh: oh. heh. I'm on good old IRC.
08:38 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> wish the bridge would randomize the icons
08:39 PM bjorkintosh: it might be a setting.
08:39 PM xxcoder: its not from what I undertand
08:39 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> prolly not, since it's an app doing impersonation
08:39 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> and the bridge is held together with bubble gum and bailing wire
08:39 PM lcnc-relay: <ccatlett1984@> best not to poke it
08:40 PM xxcoder: matrix used to have working profile images but it stopped working when discord changed how things work
08:42 PM bjorkintosh: come to the IRC side then.
08:42 PM bjorkintosh: it's Old Technology.
08:42 PM xxcoder: where theres no profile icons lol
10:04 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> it's lighter weight too
10:04 PM lcnc-relay: <ntulinux2467@> i use brave for discord and hexchat for irc