LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 i LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 ii Contents I Contents 1 II Using LinuxCNC 3 1 General Info 4 1.1 User Foreword....................................................4 1.2 LinuxCNC User Introduction.............................................5 1.2.1 How LinuxCNC Works............................................5 1.2.2 Graphical User Interfaces..........................................6 1.2.2.1 Additional Features........................................ 12 1.2.3 Virtual Control Panels............................................ 12 1.2.4 Languages.................................................. 14 1.2.5 Thinking Like a Machine Operator...................................... 14 1.2.6 Modes of Operation............................................. 14 1.3 Important User Concepts............................................... 15 1.3.1 Trajectory Control.............................................. 15 1.3.1.1 Trajectory Planning........................................ 15 1.3.1.2 Path Following........................................... 15 1.3.1.3 Programming the Planner..................................... 15 1.3.1.4 Planning Moves.......................................... 16 1.3.2 G Code.................................................... 17 1.3.2.1 Defaults.............................................. 17 1.3.2.2 Feed Rate............................................. 17 1.3.2.3 Tool Radius Offset......................................... 17 1.3.3 Homing.................................................... 17 1.3.4 Tool Changes................................................. 17 1.3.5 Coordinate Systems............................................. 18 1.3.5.1 G53 Machine Coordinate..................................... 18 1.3.5.2 G54-59.3 User Coordinates.................................... 18 LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 iii 1.3.5.3 When You Are Lost........................................ 18 1.3.6 Machine Configurations........................................... 18 1.4 CNC Machine Overview............................................... 20 1.4.1 Mechanical Components........................................... 20 1.4.1.1 Axes................................................ 20 1.4.1.2 Spindle.............................................. 21 1.4.1.3 Coolant.............................................. 21 1.4.1.4 Feed and Speed Override..................................... 21 1.4.1.5 Block Delete Switch........................................ 21 1.4.1.6 Optional Program Stop Switch.................................. 21 1.4.2 Control and Data Components........................................ 21 1.4.2.1 Linear Axes............................................ 21 1.4.2.2 Rotational Axes.......................................... 21 1.4.2.3 Controlled Point.......................................... 22 1.4.2.4 Coordinated Linear Motion.................................... 22 1.4.2.5 Feed Rate............................................. 22 1.4.2.6 Coolant.............................................. 22 1.4.2.7 Dwell............................................... 22 1.4.2.8 Units............................................... 22 1.4.2.9 Current Position.......................................... 23 1.4.2.10 Selected Plane........................................... 23 1.4.2.11 Tool Carousel........................................... 23 1.4.2.12 Tool Change............................................ 23 1.4.2.13 Pallet Shuttle............................................ 23 1.4.2.14 Path Control Mode........................................ 23 1.4.3 Interpreter Interaction with Switches..................................... 23 1.4.3.1 Feed and Speed Override Switches................................ 23 1.4.3.2 Block Delete Switch........................................ 23 1.4.3.3 Optional Program Stop Switch.................................. 24 1.4.4 Tool Table.................................................. 24 1.4.5 Parameters.................................................. 24 1.5 Running LinuxCNC.................................................. 25 1.5.1 Invoking LinuxCNC............................................. 25 1.5.2 Configuration Launcher........................................... 25 1.5.3 Next steps in configuration.......................................... 27 1.5.4 Simulator Configurations........................................... 27 1.5.5 Configuration Resources........................................... 28 1.6 Stepper Configuration Wizard............................................ 28 1.6.1 Introduction.................................................. 28 LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 iv 1.6.2 Start Page................................................... 29 1.6.3 Basic Information............................................... 30 1.6.4 Latency Test................................................. 31 1.6.5 Parallel Port Setup.............................................. 33 1.6.6 Parallel Port 2 Setup............................................. 34 1.6.7 Axis Configuration.............................................. 35 1.6.7.1 Test This Axis........................................... 36 1.6.8 Spindle Configuration............................................ 38 1.6.8.1 Spindle Speed Control....................................... 38 1.6.8.2 Spindle-synchronized motion................................... 39 1.6.8.3 Determining Spindle Calibration................................. 39 1.6.9 Options.................................................... 40 1.6.10 Machine Configuration Complete...................................... 40 1.6.11 Axis Travel and Home............................................ 41 1.6.11.1 Operating without Limit Switches................................. 41 1.6.11.2 Operating without Home Switches................................ 41 1.6.11.3 Home and Limit Switch wiring options.............................. 41 1.7 Mesa Configuration Wizard.............................................. 42 1.7.1 Step by Step Instructions........................................... 44 1.7.2 Create or Edit................................................. 44 1.7.3 Basic Machine Information.......................................... 45 1.7.4 External Configuration............................................ 47 1.7.5 GUI Configuration.............................................. 49 1.7.6 Mesa Configuration.............................................. 52 1.7.7 Mesa I/O Setup................................................ 53 1.7.8 Parport configuration............................................. 57 1.7.9 Axis Configuration.............................................. 58 1.7.10 Spindle Configuration............................................ 65 1.7.11 Advanced Options.............................................. 67 1.7.12 HAL Components.............................................. 68 1.7.13 Advanced Usage Of PNCconf........................................ 69 1.8 Linux FAQ...................................................... 70 1.8.1 Automatic Login............................................... 70 1.8.2 Automatic Startup.............................................. 70 1.8.3 Terminal................................................... 70 1.8.4 Man Pages.................................................. 70 1.8.5 List Modules................................................. 71 1.8.6 Editing a Root File.............................................. 71 1.8.6.1 The Command Line Way..................................... 71 LinuxCNC V2.7.15-22-g3231675, 2021-01-22 v 1.8.6.2 The GUI Way........................................... 71 1.8.6.3 Root Access............................................ 71 1.8.7 Terminal Commands............................................. 71 1.8.7.1 Working Directory......................................... 71 1.8.7.2 Changing Directories....................................... 72 1.8.7.3 Listing files in a directory..................................... 72 1.8.7.4 Finding a File........................................... 72 1.8.7.5 Searching for Text......................................... 72 1.8.7.6 Diagnostic Messages....................................... 73 1.8.8 Convenience Items.............................................. 73 1.8.8.1 Terminal Launcher......................................... 73 1.8.9 Hardware Problems.............................................. 73 1.8.9.1 Hardware Info........................................... 73 1.8.9.2 Monitor Resolution........................................ 73 1.8.10 Paths..................................................... 73 1.9 Lathe User Information................................................ 74 1.9.1 Lathe Mode.................................................. 74 1.9.2 Lathe Tool Table............................................... 74 1.9.3 Lathe Tool Orientation............................................ 74 1.9.4 Tool Touch Off................................................ 76 1.9.4.1 X Touch Off............................................ 77 1.9.4.2 Z Touch Off............................................ 77 1.9.4.3 The Z Machine Offset....................................... 78 1.9.5 Spindle Synchronized Motion........................................ 78 1.9.6 Arcs...................................................... 78 1.9.6.1 Arcs and Lathe Design...................................... 78 1.9.6.2 Radius & Diameter Mode....................................