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Difference between revisions of "Galaxy Series LinuxCNC Configuration"

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Welcome to the new Galaxy Series Universal Configurator. This script will reconfigure the LinuxCNC software to add or remove features on your machine and has additional functionality to manage the most common problems in the hopes of maximizing uptime on your machine. This script will also be used to install software updates when they are released. Follow the on screen prompts carefully, but do not worry if you make a mistake as you can simply re-run the script to correct any errors.
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[[Category:LinuxCNC Configurations|Galaxy Series]]
  
Important: Only run this script when you can afford to have the machine go down temporarily, as you may need to call us if anything goes wrong. We have tested this script several hundred times on as many machines as we could, but as with any software update, results can go not as you planned. If you are concerned, then CALL US TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO DO THE UPGRADE.
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Welcome to the new Galaxy Series Universal Configurator. This script will reconfigure the LinuxCNC software to add or remove features on your machine and has additional functionality to manage the most common problems in the hopes of maximizing uptime on your machine. Follow the on screen prompts carefully, but do not worry if you make a mistake as you can simply re-run the script to correct any errors.
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<!--
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<div class="errorbox">'''This is not for upgrades/updates.''' Regardless of the amount of time that has passed since the last use of your machine, you do not need to update the software. You should continue to use the software that was packaged with the machine as it was specially configured for that machine when built. In the event that you feel it needs to be changed we suggest you call us first.</div>
  
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<div class="warningbox">'''Important:''' Only run this script when you can afford to have the machine go down temporarily, as you may need to call us if anything goes wrong. We have tested this script several hundred times on as many machines as we could, but as with any software update, results can go not as you planned. If you are concerned, then CALL US TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO DO THE UPGRADE.</div>
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-->
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Before starting you will need:
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* Download the Configurator: [[Media:Probotix.zip | Probotix.zip]] - ''last updated {{RevisionDate| File:Probotix.zip }}''
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* Minimum 8GB USB thumb drive formatted as FAT32
  
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== Getting Started ==
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# Copy the <code>Probotix.zip</code> file to the USB thumb drive.
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# Insert the thumb drive into the LinuxCNC PC. After a few seconds a window will pop up displaying the contents of the thumb drive. Right click on the <code>Probotix.zip</code> file and choose the "Extract Here" option. '''Do NOT copy this to the desktop!'''
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# Double-click on the newly created <code>Probotix</code> folder to open.
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# Find and double-click on the <code>probotix.sh</code> file.
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# A dialog will pop up and ask you what you want to do with the file. Chose the "Run in Terminal" option.
  
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<gallery mode="packed-overlay">
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File: Thumb_drive1.jpg | Extract
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File: Thumb_drive2.jpg | Folder
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File: Thumb_drive3.jpg | probotix.sh
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File: Thumb_drive4.jpg | Run in Terminal
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</gallery>
  
=== To Get Started: ===
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== Screen Prompts ==
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Type the number of the screen option you wish to select then press ''Enter''
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<gallery mode="packed-overlay">
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File: config-update.png| Start
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File: order-number.png| Order Number
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File: machine-galaxy.png | Machine Model
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File: uprights.png| Upright Type
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File: zbearings.png| Z Bearings
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File: units.png| Units of Measure
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File: spindle.png| Router or Spindle
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File: spid.png| Router SuperPID
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File: Drive_nuts.jpg | ACME Types
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File: acme-type.png | ACME Screw
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File: driver-type.png| Unipolar or Bipolar
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File: jogger.png| Gamepad or MPG
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File: sensors.png| Sensors
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File: laser.png| Laser
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File: Short_long_mount.jpg | Mount Types
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File: mount-type.png | Mount
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File: rotary.png| 4th Axis Rotary
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File: reboot-yes.png| Requires Reboot
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File: reboot-no.png| No Reboot
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</gallery>
  
Download this file: [[Media:Probotix.zip]]
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== Changes made by Configurator ==
 
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[[File:Axis_rev1.4.jpg|thumb|Probotix Axis v1.6]]
Copy the probotix.zip file to a freshly formatted 8GB or larger USB thumb drive. Make sure the thumb drive is formatted FAT32 - NTFS formatted drives will not work.
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* Installs the Galaxy Series version of the [[Probotix Axis Interface]]
 
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* Changes color of terminal window to classic linux shell green on black
Insert the thumb drive into the LinuxCNC PC. After a few seconds a window will pop up displaying the contents of the thumb drive. Right click on the probootix.zip file and choose the "Extract Here" option.
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* Installs php scripting engine
 
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* Installs numlockx to force numlock key on
[[File:Thumb_drive1.jpg | 500px]]
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* Installs samba for networking
 
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* Installs g-code-filter.php to clean up .ngc2 files
This creates a folder called 'probotix'. Move into the probotix folder by double-clicking it.
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* Tries to identify secondary parallel port address, copies <code>lspci -v</code> output to thumb drive in case you need to email it to us
 
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* Disables screensaver and idle screen lock
[[File:Thumb_drive2.jpg | 500px]]
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* Removes the update manager to prevent non-Probotix updates from installing
 
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* Turns on line numbers and  auto-indent in gedit
In this folder you will see a file called 'probotix.sh'. Launch that file by double-clicking it.
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* Assigns [q] key to toggle pause/resume - works like feed hold on machining centers
 
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[[File:Thumb_drive3.jpg | 500px]]
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A dialog will pop up and ask you what you want to do with the file. Chose the "Run in Terminal" option.
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[[File:Thumb_drive4.jpg | 500px]]
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== Follow the onscreen prompts. ==
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Step 1: Enter your order number.
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Step 2: Choose which machine you have.
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Step 3: Do you use a router or one of the 80mm VFD spindles?
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Step 3b: If you have a router, you need to choose which mount you have so that we can adjust for the distance to the center of the tool. Here is a diagram to help decide: [[http://www.probotix.com/wiki/images/9/9b/Short_long_mount.jpg Router Mount Diagram]]
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Step 4: Do you want the machine to run in inches or mm?
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Step 4b: If you have a custom travel machine, you need to enter the X & Y travel here.
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Step 5: Do you have the older Roton (black drive nuts) or the newer Helix (blue drive nuts) ACME screws?
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Step 6: Do you have the older Probostep (uni-polar) or newer MondoStep (bi-polar) drivers?
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Step 7: Do you use the gamepad jog controller?
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Step 8: Accept the default parallel port addressing, or enter custom addressing if instructed by us to do so.
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Step 9: Do you use the ATLaS tool sensor, the Z-puck, neither or both? Here you can also move the Unity parallel cable to the second port for diagnostics if directed by us to do so.
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Step 9b: If you use the Z-puck, this step will ask you for the height of your puck. Measure your puck with a set of calipers and enter the inch or mm measurement here.
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Step 10: Do you use the rotary axis?
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Step 11: On this step you can swap a motor to the a-axis header. You can do this if you have a driver failure to get back up and running in a hurry while waiting on replacement parts. You will lose use of the rotary when configured like this.
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Step 12: If you are having intermittent limit switch issues from faulty switches or electrical noise, you can configure the machine to use soft limits only.
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== Axis Rev1.4 Interface ==
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[[File:Axis_rev1.4.jpg|500px]]
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:*New desktop background and LinuxCNC launch splash screen
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:*There is now a folder shortcut to the nc_files directory right on the desktop. Now you can just drag your g-code files onto this shortcut after the windows pops up showing the contents of your USB thumb drive.
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:*The new configurator will allow you to set the interface to run natively in metric (mm) mode.
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:*LinuxCNC will now run initializing g-code in case your post processor doesn't insert the proper setup codes.
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:*[Home All] has been renamed to [Home Machine]
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:*[Touch-off] has been renamed to [Set Axis Origin]
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:*After homing, the machine used to drive to the center of the table. Now the park after homing position is at absolute machine zero (front/left/up).
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:*The G28 Button has been replaced by the [Bring To Front] button. It is now hard coded to be the center of the back of the machine all the way up on the Z. G28 is now free to use for other purposes.
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:*The G30 Button has been replaced by the [Park At Rear] button. It is also now hard coded, but to the center of the front of the machine all the way up on the Z. G30 is now free to be used for other purposes.
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:*There is a new [Return To Home] button that will bring the machine back to machine zero home.
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:*There is a new [Return to X/Y Origin] button that will drive the machine back to the X/Y origin of the part.
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:*[Load 1st Tool] has been renamed to [Measure First Tool]. If you do not have the ATLaS tool sensor, this button will no longer appear.
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:*There is a new [Set Z Origin] button for quickly setting the current z position to zero for the current coordinate system.
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:*If you have the Z-Puck, there is a new button for setting the Z-axis origin using the Z-puck. Click here to learn how to use it:[[Z_Touch-off_Puck]]
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:*There is a new [Set X/Y Origin] to quickly set both the X & Y origin to zero for the current coordinate system simultaneously.
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:*There is a new [G-code Reset] button that runs the initializing setup codes again. Use this button if you get lost, for instance if you forget what coordinate system you are in. The setup codes are G0 G54 G17 G20 G90 G40 G49 G64 P0.010 for machines configured for inch.
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:*Joint number on limit switch errors will now display the axis name instead of the joint number.
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:*ATLaS tool change routine is now o100 [tool_number] for both inch and mm configs.
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=== Other (less sexy) things the configurator does ===
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:*Changes color of terminal window to classic linux shell.
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:*Installs php scripting engine
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:*Installs numlockx to force numb lock key on
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:*Installs g-code-filter.php to clean up .ngc2 files (not sexy, yet - but its gonna be)
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:*Tries to identify secondary parallel port address, copies lspci output to thumb drive incase you need to email it to us
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:*Disables screensaver and idle screen lock
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:*Uninstalls the update manager
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:*Turns line numbers on in gedit
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Latest revision as of 13:28, 26 February 2019


Welcome to the new Galaxy Series Universal Configurator. This script will reconfigure the LinuxCNC software to add or remove features on your machine and has additional functionality to manage the most common problems in the hopes of maximizing uptime on your machine. Follow the on screen prompts carefully, but do not worry if you make a mistake as you can simply re-run the script to correct any errors. Before starting you will need:

  • Download the Configurator: Probotix.zip - last updated 2019-03-26
  • Minimum 8GB USB thumb drive formatted as FAT32

Getting Started

  1. Copy the Probotix.zip file to the USB thumb drive.
  2. Insert the thumb drive into the LinuxCNC PC. After a few seconds a window will pop up displaying the contents of the thumb drive. Right click on the Probotix.zip file and choose the "Extract Here" option. Do NOT copy this to the desktop!
  3. Double-click on the newly created Probotix folder to open.
  4. Find and double-click on the probotix.sh file.
  5. A dialog will pop up and ask you what you want to do with the file. Chose the "Run in Terminal" option.

Screen Prompts

Type the number of the screen option you wish to select then press Enter

Changes made by Configurator

Probotix Axis v1.6
  • Installs the Galaxy Series version of the Probotix Axis Interface
  • Changes color of terminal window to classic linux shell green on black
  • Installs php scripting engine
  • Installs numlockx to force numlock key on
  • Installs samba for networking
  • Installs g-code-filter.php to clean up .ngc2 files
  • Tries to identify secondary parallel port address, copies lspci -v output to thumb drive in case you need to email it to us
  • Disables screensaver and idle screen lock
  • Removes the update manager to prevent non-Probotix updates from installing
  • Turns on line numbers and auto-indent in gedit
  • Assigns [q] key to toggle pause/resume - works like feed hold on machining centers