I think I should just order the USB with Path Pilot and install. I have an extra 7i92H to try it out on the PC where I installed the 2.9.4 LinuxCNC.
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Weiss VM32 CNC Conversion
- Thread starter David
- Start date
Go for it!
Many of the Linux people have never worked with Delphi which is the object version of Turbo Pascal. Once you've created screens, menus dialogs etc with that and been able to single step debug either at the source code or even the object code level the idea of separate programs to create screens, edit code, compile code and debug code is so old fashioned. Delphi even let's you cross compile from the PC environment for tablets, phones be they android or apple.
Luckily in Linux there is Lazarus with Free Pascal. Like Delphi it's one environment and has an interesting mantra: "Write once, compile anywhere". I've written apps on my PC in Lazarus along with graphical stuff and copied the folder onto both a Raspberry Pi and a Beaglebone and compiled there and had the program run.
Way back I was playing around with it. Making a clock that could not only display on a screen but send serial messages to hardware LCD displays to show the screen.
This was a test that also ran on the Raspberry Pi. Haven't touched it in about 4 years.
Well I would but with a Canada Post strike looming I don't know if it's worth it at the moment. And I have 42 other projects....
slow-poke
Ultra Member
Assuming you want to use this on a non Tormach machine.....
1) So what hardware do you need to run PathPilot?
2) I'm guessing a PC (not sure about requirements?
3) Mesa board(s)?
4) OS?
5) From your description it sounds like the install process starts with a Linux OS and then PathPilot is installed and runs on that?
I called and asked about price and was quoted $795, does that sound about right?
The GUI seems at first glance well thought out.
Oh and this is as far as I got with duplicating the Axis User Interface. The LinuxCNC file dictates which user interface is used. The plan was to find out how LinuxCNC communicates with that user interface via the .INI file that names it. Also about 4 years ago.
But I have 42 other projects on the go right now...
But I have 42 other projects on the go right now...
1. A PC. Doesn't have to be super huge but does require hardware ethernet and WiFi.
2. Mesa 7i92TH will work.
3. The dongle from the link above.
Insert and boot PC from dongle which has the OS on it. Follow instructions to install on brand new hard drive.
Edit INI and HAL file to match your Break Out Board connected to the 7i92H. Run Path Pilot.
Edit -- Added screen shot for shipping costs:
Apparently it's that easy.
slow-poke
Ultra Member
I'm confused, when I called studica, they quoted me $795 for PathPilot, and if I understand above you can purchase the USB stick with PathPilot for $40?
That's quite a discrepancy. I wonder what the catch is?
I also wonder if you can use it with other MESA boards?
I've done a bunch of research on tarriffs and the Mesa boards are subject to 25% tariff.
The Mesa site states that Harmonized Systems code number is: 8471.60.70. Basically everything under 8471.60.xx is subject to 25% tarriff.
The 7i92TH works out to be $190 CDN inc. 25% tariff but no shipping.
The Mesa site states that Harmonized Systems code number is: 8471.60.70. Basically everything under 8471.60.xx is subject to 25% tarriff.
The 7i92TH works out to be $190 CDN inc. 25% tariff but no shipping.
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This is old but gives you an idea.
Pathpilot to non tormach machines Tutorial Part1
PathPilot Tutorial Part 1 How to update to use Non Tormach Mesa Bitfiles. I have shown here how to change to use the default 5i25 bit files we all use , i...
I might be able to find one for you here in Victoria. I've sent an email asking if he'd sell it.
gerritv
Gerrit
Plan B to avoid the tariffs is to order from EU: https://eusurplus.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=62
Gerrit
Gerrit
If you can get past the hurdles of installing and configuring Linuxcnc then go for it, and just never, ever update. Or path pilot which is Linuxcnc that's been made friendly to use, but maybe not install and configure on a non Tormach machine.
Path pilot Usb stick is $40, I'm thinking it's a full PC with path pilot installed (no display) that's $795.
I'm starting to understand where Tormach hid all the configuration files and I may one day take up the fight and try getting the lathe to play nice with path pilot, but that is definitely a rainy day exercise. Especially since I have a custom tool changer written for the lathe.
Path pilot Usb stick is $40, I'm thinking it's a full PC with path pilot installed (no display) that's $795.
I'm starting to understand where Tormach hid all the configuration files and I may one day take up the fight and try getting the lathe to play nice with path pilot, but that is definitely a rainy day exercise. Especially since I have a custom tool changer written for the lathe.
gerritv
Gerrit
Tormach made no attempt to hide anything, the current versionis always in ~tmc. (or is it ~/tmc, I forget which) all the files are present for you to tinker with. Good luck though getting Glade 2.0 to work though 
The Tormach lathe config has been solved quite a while ago, the main hurdle was their implementation of limit switches. Quite confident those modified files are on the linuxcnc forum.
All of their schematics are on Github, they believe in the Right-To-Repair
The Tormach lathe config has been solved quite a while ago, the main hurdle was their implementation of limit switches. Quite confident those modified files are on the linuxcnc forum.
All of their schematics are on Github, they believe in the Right-To-Repair
BTW, I have full source code to the MESA 7i92. A zip file with everything in it. I've also just asked Peter Wallace (MESA) if the Tormach uses a special pin/bit file or if it's one of the standard ones.
slow-poke
Ultra Member
That's one thing I like about LinuxCNC, I have asked Peter a few questions on the forum and received prompt responses, it's a treat to be able to get answers from someone intimately involved with a product that knows it inside out vs. someone 5 layers away that really has no clue.