GMOCCAPY

1. Introduction

GMOCCAPY is a GUI for LinuxCNC, designed to be used with a touch screen, but can also be used on normal screens with a mouse or hardware buttons and MPG wheels, as it presents HAL Pins for the most common needs. Please find more information in the following.

It offers the possibility to display up to 4 axis, support a lathe mode for normal and back tool lathe and can be adapted to nearly every need, because gmoccapy supports embedded tabs and side panels. As a good example for that see gmoccapy_plasma

It has support for integrated virtual keyboard (onboard or matchbox-keyboard), so there is no need for a hardware keyboard or mouse, but it can also be used with that hardware. Gmoccapy offers a separate settings page to configure most settings of the GUI without editing files.

GMOCCAPY can be localized very easy, because the corresponding files are separated from the linuxcnc.po files, so there is no need to translate unneeded stuff. The files are placed in /src/po/gmoccapy. Just copy the gmoccapy.pot file to something like fr.po and translate that file with gtranslator or poedit. After a make you got the GUI in your preference language. Please publish your translation, so it can be included in the official packages and be published to other users. At the Moment it is available in English, German, Spanish, Polish, Serbian and Hungarian. Feel free to help me to introduce more languages, nieson@web.de. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask.

images/gmoccapy_4_axis.png

2. Requirements

Gmoccapy has been tested on Ubuntu 10.04 and 12.04 and Debian Wheezy, with LinuxCNC 2.6 ,2.7, and master, if you use other versions, please inform about problems or solutions on the LinuxCNC forum or the German CNC Ecke Forum or LinuxCNC users mailing list

The minimum screen resolution for gmoccapy, using it without side panels is 979 x 750 Pixel, so it should fit to every standard screen.

3. How To Get gmoccapy

Beginning with LinuxCNC 2.6 gmoccapy is included in the standard installation. So the easiest way to get gmoccapy on you controlling PC, is just to get the ISO and install from the CD / DVD /USB-Stick.

If you do have already installed an earlier LinuxCNC version, check how to update here.

You will receive updates with the regular deb packages.

You will get a similar screen to the following: The design may variate depending on your config.

images/gmoccapy_3_axis.png

4. Basic Configuration

There is really not to much to configure just to run gmoccapy, but there are some points you should take care off if you want to use all the features of the GUI.

You will find the following INI files included, just to show the basics:

* gmoccapy.ini
* gmoccapy_4_axis.ini
* gmoccapy_lathe.ini
* gmoccapy_lathe_imperial.ini
* gmoccapy_left_panel.ini
* gmoccapy_right_panel.ini
* gmoccapy_messages.ini
* gmoccapy_pendant.ini
* gmoccapy_sim_hardware_button.ini
* gmoccapy_tool_sensor.ini
* gmoccapy_with_user_tabs.ini

The names should explain the main intention of the different INI Files.

If you use an existing configuration of your machine, just edit your INI according to this document.

Important
 If you want to use MACROS, don’t forget to set the path to your macros or subroutines folder as described below.

So let us take a closer look to the the INI file and what you need to include to use gmoccapy on your machine:

4.1. The DISPLAY Section

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = gmoccapy
PREFERENCE_FILE_PATH = gmoccapy_preferences
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 166.666
MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 166.666
MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 1.5
MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 1.2
MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.5
LATHE = 1
BACK_TOOL_LATHE = 1
PROGRAM_PREFIX = ../../nc_files/

The most important part is to tell LinuxCNC to use gmoccapy, editing the [DISPLAY] section.

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = gmoccapy
PREFERENCE_FILE_PATH = gmoccapy_preferences

The line PREFERENCE_FILE_PATH gives the location and name of the preferences file to be used. In most cases this line will not be needed, it is used by gmoccapy to store your settings of the GUI, like themes, DRO units, colors, and keyboard settings, etc., see settings page for more details.

Note
 If no path or file is given, gmoccapy will use as default <your_machinename>.pref, if no machine name is given in your INI File it will use gmoccapy.pref The file will be stored in your config directory, so the settings will not be mixed if you use several configs. If you only want to use one file for several machines, you need to include PREFERENCE_FILE_PATH in your INI. 
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 166.666

Sets the default linear velocity in machine units per second.

Note
 If no value is given, a value of 15 will be applied. If you don’t set max linear velocity, the default linear velocity will be reduced to the default value max linear velocity (60).

If you don’t set max velocity in TRAJ, it may be reduced as well see TRAJ section

MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 166.666

Sets the value of the max velocity for jogging in machine units per second.

[NOTE] If no value is given, a value of 60 will be applied.

MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 1.5

Sets the maximum feed override, in the example given, you will be allowed to override the feed by 150%.

MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 1.2
MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.5

Will allow you to change the spindle override within a limit from 50% to 120%.

LATHE = 1
BACK_TOOL_LATHE = 1

The first line set the screen layout to control a lathe.

The second line is optional and will switch the X axis in a way you need for a back tool lathe. Also the keyboard shortcuts will react in a different way.

Tip
 See also the Lathe Specific Section

  • PROGRAM_PREFIX = ../../nc_files/

Is the entry to tell linuxcnc/gmoccapy where to look for the ngc files.

Note
 If not specified Gmoccapy will look in the following order for ngc files: linuxcnc/nc_files and then the users home directory.
Configuration of tabs and side panels

You can add embedded programs to gmoccapy like you can do in axis, touchy and gscreen. All is done by gmoccapy automatically if you include a few lines in your INI file in the DISPLAY section.

If you never used a glade panel, I recommend to read the excellent documentation. Glade VCP

Example
 EMBED_TAB_NAME = DRO
 EMBED_TAB_LOCATION = ntb_user_tabs
 EMBED_TAB_COMMAND = gladevcp -x {XID} dro.glade

 EMBED_TAB_NAME = Second user tab
 EMBED_TAB_LOCATION = ntb_preview
 EMBED_TAB_COMMAND = gladevcp -x {XID} vcp_box.glade

All you have to take care off, is that you include for every tab or side panel the mentioned three lines,

  • EMBED_TAB_NAME = Represents the name of the tab or side panel, it is up to you what name you use, but it must be present!

  • EMBED_TAB_LOCATION = Is the place where your program will be placed in the GUI.

valid values are:

  • ntb_user_tabs (as main tab, covering the complete screen)'

  • ntb_preview (as tab on the preview side)'

  • box_left (on the left, complete high of the screen)

  • box_right (on the right, in between the normal screen and the button list)

  • box_coolant_and_spindle (will hide the coolant and spindle frames and introduce your glade file here)

  • box_cooling (will hide the cooling frame and introduce your glade file)

  • box_spindle (will hide the spindle frame and introduce your glade file)

  • box_vel_info (will hide the velocity frames and introduce your glade file)

  • box_custom_1 (will introduce your glade file left of vel_frame)

  • box_custom_2 (will introduce your glade file left of cooling_frame)

  • box_custom_3 (will introduce your glade file left of spindle_frame)

  • box_custom_4 (will introduce your glade file right of spindle_frame)

See the different INI files included to see the differences

  • EMBED_TAB_COMMAND = the command to execute, i.e. 

gladevcp -x {XID} dro.glade

Includes a custom glade file called dro.glade in the mentioned location The file must be placed in the config folder of your machine.

gladevcp h_buttonlist.glade

Will just open a new user window called h_buttonlist.glade note the difference, this one is stand alone, and can be moved around independent from gmoccapy window.

camview-emc -w {XID}

Will add a live image from a web cam to the location you specified. Take care that camview-emc is installed, as it is not by default. Detailed information for camview and linuxcnc at: cam view

gladevcp -c gladevcp -u hitcounter.py -H manual-example.hal manual-example.ui

Will add a the panel manual-example.ui, include a custom python handler, hitcounter.py and make all connections after realizing the panel according to manual-example.hal.

Here are some examples:

images/gmoccapy_ntb_user_tab.png
Figure 1. ntb_user_tabs - with integrated camview program
images/gmoccapy_ntb_preview_maximized_2.png
Figure 2. ntb_preview - as maximized version
images/gmoccapy_ntb_preview.png
Figure 3. ntb_preview
images/gmoccapy_with_left_box_in_edit_mode.png
Figure 4. box_left - showing gmoccapy in edit mode
images/gmoccapy_with_right_panel_in_MDI_mode.png
Figure 5. box_right - and gmoccapy in MDI mode
Configuration of User Created Messages

Gmoccapy has the ability to create hal driven user messages. To use them you need to introduce some lines in the [DISPLAY] section of the INI file.

Here is how to set up 3 user pop up message dialogs the messages support pango markup language. Detailed information about the markup language can be found at Pango Markup

MESSAGE_TEXT    = The text to be displayed, may be pango markup formated
MESSAGE_TYPE    = "status" , "okdialog" , "yesnodialog"
MESSAGE_PINNAME = is the name of the hal pin group to be created

  • status : Will just display a message as pop up window, using the messaging system of gmoccapy

  • okdialog : Will hold focus on the message dialog and will activate a "-waiting" Hal_Pin OUT. Closing the message will reset the waiting pin

  • yesnodialog : Will hold focus on the message dialog and will activate a "-waiting" Hal_Pin bit OUT it will also give access to an "-response" Hal_Pin Bit Out, this pin will hold 1 if the user clicks OK, and in all other states it will be 0 Closing the message will reset the waiting pin The response Hal Pin will remain 1 until the dialog is called again

Example
MESSAGE_TEXT = This is a <span background="#ff0000" foreground="#ffffff">
info-message</span> test
MESSAGE_TYPE = status
MESSAGE_PINNAME = statustest

MESSAGE_TEXT = This is a yes no dialog test
MESSAGE_TYPE = yesnodialog
MESSAGE_PINNAME = yesnodialog

MESSAGE_TEXT = Text can be <small>small</small>, <big>big</big>, <b>bold</b <i>italic</i>, and even be <span color="red">colored</span>.
MESSAGE_TYPE = okdialog
MESSAGE_PINNAME = okdialog

The specific hal pin conventions for these can be found under the User Messages hal pin section.

4.2. The RS274NGC Section

[RS274NGC]
SUBROUTINE_PATH = macros

Sets the path to search for macros and other subroutines.

4.3. The MACRO Section

You can add macros to gmoccapy, similar to touchy’s way. A macro is nothing else than a ngc-file. You are able to execute complete CNC programs in MDI mode, by just pushing one button. To do so, you have to add a section like so:

[MACROS]
MACRO = i_am_lost
MACRO = hello_world
MACRO = jog_around
MACRO = increment xinc yinc
MACRO = go_to_position X-pos Y-pos Z-pos

This will add 5 macros to the MDI button list. Please note, that maximal 9 macros will appear in the GUI, due to place reasons. But it is no error placing more in your INI file.

images/gmoccapy_mdi_hidden_keyboard.png

The name of the file must be exactly the same as the name given in the MACRO line. So the macro i_am_lost will call the file i_am_lost.ngc.

The macro files must follow some rules:

  • the name of the file need to be the same as the name mentioned in the macro line, just with the ngc extension

  • The file must contain a subroutine like so: O<i_am_lost> sub, the name of the sub must match exactly (case sensitive) the name of the macro

  • the file must end with an endsub O<i_am_lost> endsub followed by an M2 command

  • the files need to be placed in a folder specified in your INI file in the RS274NGC section (see RS274NGC)

The code in between sub and endsub will be executed by pushing the corresponding macro button.

Note
 You will find the sample macros in macros folder placed in the gmoccapy sim folder.

Gmoccapy will also accept macros asking for parameters like:

go_to_position X-pos Y-pos Z-pos

The parameters must be separated by spaces. This calls a file go_to_position.ngc with the following content:

; Test file go to position
; will jog the machine to a given position

O<go_to_position> sub

G17
G21
G54
G61
G40
G49
G80
G90

;#1 = <X-Pos>
;#2 = <Y-Pos>
;#3 = <Z-Pos>

(DBG, Will now move machine to X = #1 , Y = #2 , Z = #3)
G0 X #1 Y #2 Z #3

O<go_to_position> endsub
M2

After pushing the execute macro button, you will be asked to enter the values for X-pos Y-pos Z-pos and the macro will only run if all values have been given.

images/gmoccapy_getting_macro_info.png

4.4. The TRAJ Section

MAX_VELOCITY = 230.000

Sets the maximal velocity of the machine, this value will also take influence to default velocity.

5. HAL Pins

gmoccapy exports several hal pin to be able to react to hardware devices. The goal is to get a GUI that may be operated in a tool shop, completely/mostly without mouse or keyboard.

Note
 You will have to do all connections to gmoccapy pins in your postgui.hal file, because they are not available before loading the GUI completely.

5.1. Right And Bottom Button Lists

The screen has two main button lists, one on the right side an one on the bottom. The right handed buttons will not change during operation, but the bottom button list will change very often. The buttons are count from up to down and from left to right beginning with "0".

In hal_show you will see the right (vertical) buttons are:

  • gmoccapy.v-button-0

  • gmoccapy.v-button-1

  • gmoccapy.v-button-2

  • gmoccapy.v-button-3

  • gmoccapy.v-button-4

  • gmoccapy.v-button-5

  • gmoccapy.v-button-6

and the bottom (horizontal) buttons are:

  • gmoccapy.h-button-0

  • gmoccapy.h-button-1

  • gmoccapy.h-button-2

  • gmoccapy.h-button-3

  • gmoccapy.h-button-4

  • gmoccapy.h-button-5

  • gmoccapy.h-button-6

  • gmoccapy.h-button-7

  • gmoccapy.h-button-8

  • gmoccapy.h-button-9

As the buttons in the bottom list will change according the mode and other influences, the hardware buttons will activate different functions, and you don’t have to take care about switching functions around in hal, because that is done completely by gmoccapy!

These pins are made available to be able to use the screen without an touch panel, or protect it from excessive use by placing hardware buttons around the panel.

images/gmoccapy_0_9_7_sim_hardware_button.png

5.2. Velocities And Overrides

All sliders from gmoccapy can be connected to hardware encoder or hardware potentiometers.

To connect encoders the following pin are exported:

  • gmoccapy.jog-speed.counts = HAL_S32 Jog velocity

  • gmoccapy.jog-speed.count-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to enable counts

  • gmoccapy.feed-override.counts = HAL_S32 feed override

  • gmoccapy.feed-override.count-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to enable counts

  • gmoccapy.reset-feed-override = HAL_BIT reset the feed override to 100 %

  • gmoccapy.spindle-override.counts = HAL_S32 spindle override

  • gmoccapy.spindle-override.count-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to enable counts

  • gmoccapy.reset-spindle-override = HAL_BIT reset the spindle override to 100 %

  • gmoccapy.max-velocity.counts = HAL_S32 Maximal Velocity of the machine

  • gmoccapy.max-velocity.count-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to enable counts

To connect potmeters, use the following hal pin:

  • gmoccapy.jog-speed.direct-value = HAL_FLOAT To adjust the jog velocity slider

  • gmoccapy.jog-speed.analog-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to allow analog inputs

  • gmoccapy.feed-override.direct-value = HAL_FLOAT To adjust the feed override slider

  • gmoccapy.feed-override.analog-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to allow analog inputs

  • gmoccapy.spindle-override.direct-value = HAL_FLOAT To adjust the spindle override slider

  • gmoccapy.spindle-override.analog-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to allow analog inputs

  • gmoccapy.max-velocity.direct-value = HAL_FLOAT To adjust the max velocity slider

  • gmoccapy.max-velocity.analog-enable = HAL_BIT Must be True, to allow analog inputs

The float pin do accept values from 0.0 to 1.0, being the percentage value you want to set the slider value.

[WARNING] If you use both connection types, do not connect the same slider to both pin, as the influences between the two has not been tested! Different sliders may be connected to the one or other hal connection type.

[IMPORTANT] Please be aware, that for the jog velocity depends on the turtle button state, it will lead to different slider scales depending on the mode (turtle or rabbit). Please take also a look to jog velocities and turtle-jog hal pin for more details.

Example
Spindle Override Min Value =  20 %
Spindle Override Max Value = 120 %
gmoccapy.analog-enable = 1
gmoccapy.spindle-override-value = 0.25

value to set = Min Value + (Max Value - Min Value) * gmoccapy.spindle-override-value
value to set = 20 + (120 - 20) * 0.25
value to set = 45 %

5.3. Jog Hal Pins

All axis given in the INI File have a jog-plus and a jog-minus pin, so hardware momentary switches can be used to jog the axis.

For the standard config following hal Pin will be available:

  • gmoccapy.jog-x-plus

  • gmoccapy.jog-x-minus

  • gmoccapy.jog-y-plus

  • gmoccapy.jog-y-minus

  • gmoccapy.jog-z-plus

  • gmoccapy.jog-z-minus

If you use a 4 axis INI file, there will be two additional pins

  • gmoccapy.jog-<your fourth axis letter >-plus

  • gmoccapy.jog-<your fourth axis letter >-minus

For a "C" axis you will see:

  • gmoccapy.jog-c-plus

  • gmoccapy.jog-c-minus

5.4. Jog Velocities And Turtle-Jog Hal Pin

The jog velocity can be selected with the corresponding slider. The scale of the slider will be modified if the turtle button (the one showing a rabbit or a turtle) has been toggled. If the button is not visible, it might have been disabled on the settings page. If the button shows the rabbit-icon, the scale is from min to max machine velocity. If it shows the turtle, the scale will reach only 1/20 of max velocity by default. The used divider can be set on the settings page.

So using a touch screen it is much easier to select smaller velocities.

5.5. Jog Increment Hal Pins

The jog increments are selectable through hal pins, so a select hardware switch can be used to select the increment to use. There will be a maximum of 10 hal pin for the increments given in the INI File, if you give more increments in your INI File, they will be not reachable from the GUI as they will not be displayed.

If you have 6 increments in your hal you will get 7 pins:

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-0

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-1

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-2

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-3

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-4

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-5

  • gmoccapy.jog-inc-6

jog-inc-0 is unchangeable and will represent continuous jogging.

5.6. Hardware Unlock Pin

To be able to use a key switch to unlock the settings page the following pin is exported.

  • gmoccapy.unlock-settings

The settings page is unlocked if the pin is high. To use this pin, you need to activate it on the settings page.

5.7. Error Pins

  • gmoccapy.error

  • gmoccapy.delete-message

gmoccapy.error is an bit out pin, to indicate an error, so a light can lit or even the machine may be stopped. It will be reseted with the pin gmoccapy.delete-message. gmoccapy.delete-message will delete the first error and reset the gmoccapy.error pin to False after the last error has been cleared.

Note
 Messages or user infos will not affect the gmoccapy.error pin, but the gmoccapy.delete-message pin will delete the last message if no error is shown!

5.8. User Created Message HAL Pins

gmoccapy may react to external errors, using 3 different user messages: All are HAL_BIT pin.

Status

  • gmoccapy.messages.statustest

Yesnodialog

  • gmoccapy.messages.yesnodialog

  • gmoccapy.messages.yesnodialog-waiting

  • gmoccapy.messages.yesnodialog-responce

Okdialog

  • gmoccapy.messages.okdialog

  • gmoccapy.messages.okdialog-waiting

To add user created message you need to add the message to the INI file in the [DISPLAY] section. Here are a couple of examples.

MESSAGE_BOLDTEXT = LUBE SYSTEM FAULT
MESSAGE_TEXT = LUBE FAULT
MESSAGE_TYPE = okdialog
MESSAGE_PINNAME = lube-fault

MESSAGE_BOLDTEXT = NONE
MESSAGE_TEXT = X SHEAR PIN BROKEN
MESSAGE_TYPE = status
MESSAGE_PINNAME = xpin

To connect new pins to and input you need to do this in the postgui HAL file. Here are some example connections that have the signal connected to an input some place else in the HAL file.

net gmoccapy-lube-fault gmoccapy.messages.lube-fault
net gmoccapy-lube-fault-waiting gmoccapy.messages.lube-fault-waiting
net gmoccapy-xpin gmoccapy.messages.xpin

For more information on HAL files and the net command see the Basic HAL Reference.

5.9. Spindle Feedback Pins

There are two pins for spindle feedback

  • gmoccapy.spindle_feedback_bar

  • gmoccapy.spindle_at_speed_led

gmoccapy.spindle_feedback_bar will accept an float input to show the spindle speed. gmoccapy.spindle_at_speed_led is an bit-pin to lit the GUI led if spindle is at speed.

5.10. Pins To Indicate Program Progress Information

There are three pins giving information over the program progress

  • gmoccapy.program.length HAL_S32 showing the total number of lines of the program

  • gmoccapy.program.current-line HAL_S32 indicating the current working line of the program

  • gmoccapy.program.progress HAL_FLOAT giving the program progress in percentage

The values may not be very accurate, if you are working with subroutines or large remap procedures, also loops will cause different values.

5.11. Tool related pin

Tool Change Pin

This pin are provided to use gmoccapy’s internal tool change dialog, similar to the one known from axis, but with several modifications, so you will not only get the message to change to tool number 3, but also the description of that tool like 7.5 mm 3 flute cutter. The information is taken from the tool table, so it is up to you what to display.

images/manual_toolchange.png

  • gmoccapy.toolchange-number HAL_S32 The number of the tool to be changed

  • gmoccapy.toolchange-change HAL_BIT Indicate that a tool has to be changed

  • gmoccapy.toolchange-changed HAL_BIT Indicate toll has been changed

Usually they are connected like this for a manual tool change:

net tool-change gmoccapy.toolchange-change <= iocontrol.0.tool-change
net tool-changed gmoccapy.toolchange-changed <= iocontrol.0.tool-changed
net tool-prep-number gmoccapy.toolchange-number <= iocontrol.0.tool-prep-number
net tool-prep-loop iocontrol.0.tool-prepare <= iocontrol.0.tool-prepared
Tool Offset Pins

This pins allows you to show the active tool offset values for X and Z in the tool information frame. You should know that they are only active after G43 has been sent.

images/gmoccapy_0_9_7_tool_info.png

  • gmoccapy.tooloffset-x

  • gmoccapy.tooloffset-z

Connect them in your postgui hal.

 net tooloffset-x gmoccapy.tooloffset-x <= motion.tooloffset.x
 net tooloffset-z gmoccapy.tooloffset-z <= motion.tooloffset.z

Please note, that gmoccapy takes care of its own to update the offsets, sending an G43 after any tool change, but not in auto mode!

Important
 So writing a program makes you responsible to include an G43 after each tool change!

6. Auto Tool Measurement

Gmoccapy offers an integrated auto tool measurement. To use this feature, you will need to do some additional settings and you may want to use the offered hal pin to get values in your own ngc remap procedure.

[IMPORTANT] Before starting the first test, do not forget to enter the probe height and probe velocities on the settings page! See Settings Page Tool Measurement

It might be also a good idea to take a look at the tool measurement video: see tool measurement related videos

Tool Measurement in gmoccapy is done a little bit different to many other GUI. You should follow these steps:

  • touch of you workpiece in X and Y

  • measure the hight of your block from the base where your tool switch is located, to the upper face of the block (including chuck etc.)

  • Push the button block height and enter the measured value

  • Go to auto mode and start your program

here is a small sketch:

images/sketch_auto_tool_measurement.png

With the first given tool change the tool will be measured and the offset will be set automatically to fit the block height. The advantage of the gmoccapy way is, that you do not need a reference tool.

Note
 Your program must contain a tool change at the beginning! The tool will be measured, even it has been used before, so there is no danger, if the block height has changed. There are several videos showing the way to do that on you tube.

6.1. Tool Measurement Pins

Gmoccapy offers 5 pins for tool measurement purpose. The pins are mostly used to be read from a gcode subroutine, so the code can react to different values.

  • gmoccapy.toolmeasurement HAL_BIT enable or not tool measurement

  • gmoccapy.blockheight HAL_FLOAT the measured value of the top face of the workpiece

  • gmoccapy.probeheight HAL_FLOAT the probe switch height

  • gmoccapy.searchvel HAL_FLOAT the velocity to search for the tool probe switch

  • gmoccapy.probevel HAL_FLOAT the velocity to probe tool length

6.2. Tool Measurement INI File Modifications

Modify your INI File to include the following:

The RS274NGC section
[RS274NGC]
# Enables the reading of INI and HAL values from gcode
FEATURES=12

# is the sub, with is called when a error during tool change happens
ON_ABORT_COMMAND=O <on_abort> call

# The remap code
REMAP=M6  modalgroup=6 prolog=change_prolog ngc=change epilog=change_epilog
The Tool Sensor Section

The position of the tool sensor and the start position of the probing movement, all values are absolute coordinates, except MAXPROBE, what must be given in relative movement.

[TOOLSENSOR]
X = 10
Y = 10
Z = -20
MAXPROBE =  -20
The Change Position Section

This is not named TOOL_CHANGE_POSITION on purpose - canon uses that name and will interfere otherwise. The position to move the machine before giving the change tool command. All values are in absolute coordinates.

[CHANGE_POSITION]
X = 10
Y = 10
Z = -2
The Python Section

The Python plug ins serves interpreter and task.

[PYTHON]
# The path to start a search for user modules
PATH_PREPEND = python
# The start point for all.
TOPLEVEL = python/toplevel.py

6.3. Needed Files

You must copy the following files to your config directory

First make a directory python in your config folder from your_linuxcnc-dev_directory/configs/sim/gmoccapy/python copy toplevel.py to your config_dir/python folder. Copy remap.py to your config_dir/python folder Copy stdglue.py to your config_dir/python folder.

From your_linuxcnc-dev_directory/configs/sim/gmoccapy/macros copy on_abort.ngc to the directory specified in the SUBROUTINE_PATH see RS274NGC Section. From your_linuxcnc-dev_directory/configs/sim/gmoccapy/macros copy change.ngc to the directory specified as SUBROUTINE_PATH see RS274NGC Section. Open change.ngc with a editor and uncomment the following lines (49 and 50):

F #<_hal[gmoccapy.probevel]>
G38.2 Z-4

You may want to modify this file to fit more your needs.

6.4. Needed Hal Connections

Connect the tool probe in your hal file like so:

net probe  motion.probe-input <= <your_input_pin>

The line might look like this:

 net probe  motion.probe-input <= parport.0.pin-15-in

In your postgui.hal file add:

# The next lines are only needed if the pins had been connected before
unlinkp iocontrol.0.tool-change
unlinkp iocontrol.0.tool-changed
unlinkp iocontrol.0.tool-prep-number
unlinkp iocontrol.0.tool-prepared

# link to gmoccapy toolchange, so you get the advantage of tool description on change dialog
net tool-change gmoccapy.toolchange-change <= iocontrol.0.tool-change
net tool-changed gmoccapy.toolchange-changed <= iocontrol.0.tool-changed
net tool-prep-number gmoccapy.toolchange-number <= iocontrol.0.tool-prep-number
net tool-prep-loop iocontrol.0.tool-prepare <= iocontrol.0.tool-prepared

7. The Settings Page

To enter the page you will have to click on images/gmoccapy_settings_button.png and give an unlock code, witch is 123 as default. If you want to change it at this time you will have to edit the hidden preference file, see the display section for details.

The page looks at the moment like so:

images/gmoccapy_settings_appearance.png

The page is separated in three main tabs:

7.1. Appearance

On this tab you will find the following options:

Main Window

Here you can select how you wish the GUI to start. The main reason for this was the wish to get an easy
way for the user to set the starting options without the need to touch code.

You have three options:

  • start as full screen

  • start maximized

  • start as window
    If you select start as window the spinboxes to set the position and size will get active.
    One time set, the GUI will start every time on the place and with the size selected.
    Nevertheless the user can change the size and position using the mouse, but that will
    not have any influence on the settings.

hide the cursor does allow to hide the cursor, what is very useful if you use a touch screen.

Keyboard

The check-boxes allows the user to select if he want the on board keyboard to be shown immediately,
when entering the MDI Mode, when entering the offset page, the tooledit widget or when open a program
in the EDIT mode. The keyboard button on the bottom button list will not been affected by this settings,
so you be able to show or hide the keyboard by pressing the button. The default behavior will be set by
the check-boxes.

Default are :

  • show keyboard on offset = True

  • show keyboard on tooledit = False

  • show keyboard on MDI = True

  • show keyboard on EDIT = True

  • show keyboard on load file = False

If the keyboard layout is not correct, i.e. clicking X gives Z, than the layout has not been set properly, related to your locale settings. For onboard it can be solved with a small batch file with the following content:

Note
 If this section is not sensitive, you have not installed a virtual keyboard, + supported are onboard and matchbox-keyboard. 
 #!/bin/bash
 setxkbmap -model pc105 -layout de -variant basic

The letters "de" are for German, you will have to set them according to your locale settings. Just execute this file before starting LinuxCNC, it can be done also adding a starter to your local folder.

./config/autostart

So that the layout is set automatically on starting.

For matchbox-keyboard you will have to make your own layout, for a German layout ask in the forum.

Note
 If this section is not sensitive, you have not installed a virtual keyboard, supported are onboard and matchbox-keyboard.
On Touch Off

give the option to show the preview tab or the offset page tab if you enter the touch off mode by clicking the corresponding bottom button.

  • show preview

  • show offsets

As the notebook tabs are shown, you are able to switch between both views in any case.

Show Aux Display

By clicking this button a additional window will be opened. This button is only sensitive, if a file named gmoccapy2.glade is located in your config folder. You can build the Aux Screen using Glade.

Warning
 The main window of the aux screen must be named window2
DRO Options

You have the option to select the background colors of the different DRO states. So users suffering from protanopia (red/green weakness) are able to select proper colors

By default the backgrounds are:

  • Relative mode = black

  • Absolute mode = blue

  • Distance to go = yellow

The foreground color of the DRO can be selected with:

  • homed color = green

  • unhomed color = red

show dro in preview
the DRO will be shown in the preview window +

show offsets+ the Offsets will be shown in the preview window +

show DTG
the distance to go will be shown in the preview window +

show DRO Button
will allow you to display additional buttons on the left side of the DRO.

It will display:
* one button to switch from relative to absolute coordinates,
* one button to toggle between distance to go and the other states
* and one button to toggle the units from metric to imperial and vice versa.

[WARNING] It is not recommended to use this option, because the user will loose the auto unit option, which will toggle the units according to the active gcode G20 / G21.

[NOTE] You can change through the DRO modes (absolute, relative, distance to go) by clicking on the DRO!

Use Auto Units
allows to disable the auto units option of the display, so you can run a program in inches and watch the DRO in mm. +

size
allows to set the size of the DRO font, default is 28, if you use a bigger screen you may want to increase the size up to 56. If you do use 4 axis, the DRO font size will be 3/4 of the value, because of space reason. +

digits
sets the number of digits of the DRO from 1 to 5.

Note
 Imperial will show one digit more that metric. So if you are in imperial machine units and set the digit value to 1, you will get no digit at all in metric.

toggle DRO mode
if not active, a mouse click on the DRO will not take any action.
By default this checkbox is active, so every click on any DRO will toogle the DRO readout from actual to relative to DTG (distance to go). +

Preview

Grid Size Sets the grid size of the preview window. Unfortunately the size has to be set in inches, even if your machine units are metric. We do hope to fix that in a future release.

[NOTE] The grid will not be shown in perspective view.

Show DRO
Will show the a DRO also in the preview window, it will be shown automatically in fullsize preview

Show DTG will show also the DTG (direct distance to end point) in the preview, only if Show DRO is active and not full size preview.

Show Offsets will show the offsets in the preview window.

[NOTE] If you only check this option and leave the others unchecked, you will get in full size preview a offset page

Mouse Button Mode this combobox you can select the button behavior of the mouse to rotate, move or zoom within the preview.

  • left rotate, middle move, right zoom

  • left zoom, middle move, right rotate

  • left move, middle rotate, right zoom

  • left zoom, middle rotate, right move

  • left move, middle zoom, right rotate

  • left rotate, middle zoom, right move

Default is left move, middle zoom, right rotate.

The mouse wheel will still zoom the preview in every mode.

Tip
 If you select an element in the preview, the selected element will be taken as rotation center point.
File to load on start up

Select the file you want to be loaded on start up. In other GUI changing this was very cumbersome, because the users where forced to edit the INI File.

Select the file you want to be loaded on start up. If a file is loaded, it can be set by pressing the current button to avoid that any program is loaded at start up, just press the None button.

The file selection screen will use the filters you have set in the INI File, if there aren’t any filters given, you will only see ngc files. The path will be set according to the INI settings in [DISPLAY] PROGRAM_PREFIX

Jump to dir

you can set here the directory to jump to if you press the corresponding button in the file selection dialog.

images/gmoccapy_file_selection_dialog_with_keyboard.png
Themes and Sounds

This lets the user select what desktop theme to apply and what error and messages sounds should be played. By default "Follow System Theme" is set.

7.2. Hardware

images/gmoccapy_settings_hardware.png
Hardware MPG Scales

For the different Hal Pin to connect MPG Wheels to, you may select individual scales to be applied. The main reason for this was my own test to solve this through hal connections, resulting in a very complex hal file. Imagine a user having an MPG Wheel with 100 ipr and he wants to slow down the max vel from 14000 to 2000 mm/min, that needs 12000 impulses, resulting in 120 turns of the wheel! Or an other user having a MPG Wheel with 500 ipr and he wants to set the spindle override witch has limits from 50 to 120 % so he goes from min to max within 70 impulses, meaning not even 1/4 turn.

By default all scales are set using the calculation:

(MAX - MIN)/100
Keyboard shortcuts

Some users want to jog there machine using the keyboard buttons and there are others that will never allow this. So everybody can select whether to use them or not.

Default is to use keyboard shortcuts.

Please take care if you use a lathe, than the shortcuts will be different. See the Lathe section

  • Arrow Left = X minus

  • Arrow Right = X plus

  • Arrow up = Y plus

  • Arrow Down = Y minus

  • Page Up = Z plus

  • Page Down = Z minus

  • F1 = Estop (will work even if keyboard shortcuts are disabled)

  • F2 = Machine on

  • ESC = Abort

There are additional keys for message handling, see Message behavior and appearance

  • WINDOWS = Delete last message

  • <STRG><SPACE> = Delete all messages

    Unlock options

    There are three options to unlock the settings page:

  • use unlock code (the user must give a code to get in)

  • Do not use unlock code (There will be no security check)

  • Use hal pin to unlock (hardware pin must be high to unlock the settings, see hardware unlock pin

Default is use unlock code (default = 123)

Spindle

The start RPM sets the rpm to be used if the spindle is started and no S value has been set.

The start RPM sets the rpm to be used if the spindle is started and no S value has been set.

With the MIN and MAX settings you set the limits of the spindle bar shown in the INFO frame on the main screen. It is no error giving wrong values. If you give a maximum of 2000 and your spindle makes 4000 rpm, only the bar level will be wrong on higher speeds than 2000 rpm.

default values are
MIN = 0
MAX = 6000
Turtle Jog

This settings will have influence on the jog velocities.

  • hide turtle jog button will hide the button right of the jog velocity slider, if you hide this button, please take care that it shows the rabbit icon, otherwise you will not be able to jog faster than the turtle jog velocity, which is calculated using the turtle jog factor.

  • Turtle jog factor sets the scale to apply for turtle jog mode. If you set a factor of 20, the max jog velocity will be 1/20 of max velocity of the machine if in turtle mode (button pressed, showing the turtle)

Note
 This button can be activated using the turtle-jog hal pin.

7.3. Advanced Settings

images/gmoccapy_settings_advanced.png
Tool Measurement

If this part is not sensitive, you do not have a valid INI file configuration to use tool measurement.

Please check Auto Tool Measurement

  • Use auto tool measurement : If checked, after each tool change, a tool measurement will be done, the result will be stored in the tool table and an G43 will be executed after the change.

Probe Information

The following informations are taken from your INI file and must be given in absolute coordinates

  • X Pos. = The X position of the tool switch

  • Y Pos. = The Y position of the tool switch

  • Z Pos. = The X position of the tool switch, we will go as rapid move to this coordinate

  • Max. Probe = is the distance to search for contact, an error will be launched, if no contact is given. The distance has to be given in relative coordinates, beginning the move from Z Pos., so you have to give a negative value to go down!

  • Probe Height = is the height of your probe switch, you can measure it. Just touch off the base where the probe switch is located and set that to zero. Then make a tool change and watch the tool_offset_z value, that is the hight you must enter here.

Probe velocities

  • Search Vel. = The velocity to search for the tool switch, after contact the tool will go up again and then goes toward the probe again with probe vel, so you will get better results.

  • Probe Vel. = Is the velocity for the second movement to the switch, it should be slower to get better touch results.(In sim mode, this is commented out in macros/change.ngc, otherwise the user would have to click twice on the probe button)

Tool Changer

If your 4’th axis is used in a tool changer, you may want to hide the DRO and all the other buttons related to that axis.

You can do that by checking the checkbox, that will hide:

  • 4’th axis DRO

  • 4’th axis Jog button

  • 4’th axis home button

  • column of 4’th axis in the offsetpage

  • column of 4’th axis in the tolleditor

Message Behavior And Appearance

This will display small pop up windows displaying the message or error text, the behavior is very similar to the one axis uses. You can delete a specific message, by clicking on it’s close button, if you want to delete the last one, just hit the WINDOWS key on your keyboard, or delete all messages at ones with <STRG><SPACE>.

You are able to set some options:

  • X Pos = The position of the top left corner of the message in X counted in pixel from the top left corner of the screen.

  • Y Pos = The position of the top left corner of the message in Y counted in pixel from the top left corner of the screen.

  • Width = The width of the message box

  • max = The maximum messages you want to see at ones, if you set this to 10, the 11th message will delete the first one, so you will only see the last 10 ones.

  • Font = The font and size you want to use to display the messages

  • use frames = If you activate the checkbox, each message will be displayed in a frame, so it is much easier to distinguish the messages. But you will need a little bit more space.

  • The button launch test message will just do what it is supposed to, it will show a message, so you can see the changes of your settings without the need to generate an error.

Run From Line Option

You can allow or disallow the run from line. This will set the corresponding button insensitive (grayed out), so the user will not be able to use this option. The default is disable run from line.

Warning
 It is not recommend to use run from line, as LinuxCNC will not take care of any previous lines in the code before the starting line. So errors or crashes are very probable.
Log Actions

If this button is active, nearly every button press or relevant action of LinuxCNC will be logged in the ALARM history. This is very useful for debugging.

8. Lathe Specific Section

If in the INI File LATHE = 1 is given, the GUI will change its appearance to the special needs for a lathe. Mainly the Y axis will be hidden and the jog buttons will be arranged in a different order.

images/gmoccapy_lathe.png
Figure 6. Normal Lathe
images/gmoccapy_back_tool_lathe.png
Figure 7. Back Tool Lathe

As you see the R DRO has a black background and the D DRO is gray. This will change according to the active G-Code G7 or G8. The active mode is visible by the black background, meaning in the shown images G8 is active.

The next difference to the standard screen is the location of the Jog Button. X and Z have changed places and Y is gone. You will note that the X+ and X- buttons changes there places according to normal or back tool lathe.

Also the keyboard behavior will change:

Normal Lathe:

  • Arrow Left = Z minus

  • Arrow Right = Z plus

  • Arrow up = X minus

  • Arrow Down = X plus

Back Tool Lathe:

  • Arrow Left = Z minus

  • Arrow Right = Z plus

  • Arrow up = X plus

  • Arrow Down = X minus

The tool information frame will show not only the Z offset, but also the X offset and the tool table is showing all lathe relevant information.

9. Plasma Specific Section

images/gmoccapy_plasma_1.png

There is a very good WIKI, which is actually growing, maintained by Marius see Plasma wiki page

10. Video On You Tube

This are videos showing gmoccapy in action, unfortunately the videos don’t show the latest version of gmoccapy, but the way to use it will not change much in the future. I will try to actualize the videos as soon as possible.

Basic Usage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5B-s3uiI6g

Simulated Jog Wheels

http://youtu.be/ag34SGxt97o

Settings Page

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuwhSHRJoiI

Simulated Hardware Button

Deutsch = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTqhY-MfzDE

English = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItVWJBK9WFA

User Tabs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG1zmeqXyZI

10.1. Tool Measurement Video

Auto Tool Measurement Simulation = http://youtu.be/rrkMw6rUFdk

Auto Tool Measurement Screen = http://youtu.be/Z2ULDj9dzvk

Auto Tool Measurement Machine = http://youtu.be/1arucCaDdX4

11. Known problems

11.1. Strange numbers in the info area

If you get strange numbers in the info area of gmoccapy like:

images/strange_numbers.png

You have made your config file using an older version of StepConfWizard. It has made a wrong entry in the INI file under the [TRAJ] named MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = xxx. Change that entry to MAX_VELOCITY = xxx