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--- faq [2020/03/23 08:45] – ivan
+++ faq [2024/02/20 10:07] (current) – ivan
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ======Frequently Asked Questions======
+Unfolded version: [[faq_unfolded|Frequently Asked Questions]]
 =====General=====
@@ Line 5: / Line 7: @@
 ++++ Is a PC required to use the myCNC controller? |
-Yes, a PC is required to run the myCNC software, which will be used to control the myCNC board. You can use a full industrial PC (such as the one provided in some controller kits in our Shop), or you can use a small single board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi, an Odroid or a TinkerBoard. The links to download the myCNC software are available at our [[https://www.pv-automation.com/download|Downloads]] page.
+Yes, a PC is required to run the myCNC software, which will be used to control your myCNC board. You can use a full industrial PC (such as the one provided in some controller kits in our Shop), or you can use a small single board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi, an Odroid or a TinkerBoard. The links to download the myCNC software are available at our [[https://www.pv-automation.com/download|Downloads]] page.
 ++++
+++++ Is a myCNC controller required to use the myCNC software? |
+Yes, a myCNC controller is needed to use most of the functions of the myCNC software. The main software itself is free and can be downloaded from our [[https://www.pv-automation.com/download|Downloads]] page. Please note that certain specialized software add-ons (such as G-code correction via DXF import with markers) are available as separate licenses which do have to be purchased in addition to the controller.
+The software can be downloaded and tested in Simulation mode, designed to help the user get a feel for the software layout and functions. However, the Simulation mode is highly restrictive, with most features not accessible without a myCNC controller.
+++++
+++++ Can the myCNC software be customized to the client's specific needs? |
+Yes, the software can be extensively customized, both visually and under-the-hood (via custom PLC/macro commands). Client logos can be added to the main software screen, and the screens themselves can be customized via the XML configuration files which are open and available to every user. Read more about XML file editing here: [[mycnc:mycnc_screen_configuration|Screen Editing and Configuration]]
+The myCNC team also undertakes customization projects. The exact price depends on the size of the customization project and the necessary features. For more information, please contact us at sale@pv-automation.com.
+++++
+++++ What sort of technical support is provided? |
+The myCNC team provides technical support for our controllers and the CNC systems utilizing them. Our technical support can be broadly separated into two categories:
+**1) Free technical support**
+Free technical support includes things that are largely development-free, for example answering general setup questions such as:
+  * How do I set up the network settings?
+  * How do I use the probe sensor window?
+It also deals with solving general user errors and issues which do not include a large amount of programming, such as:
+  * Help in finding errors within your G-code program
+  * Troubleshooting tips
+  * General recommendations for the selection of drives, sensors, etc (provided the team has experience with the particular configuration you are trying to implement)
+**2) Paid technical support**
+Paid technical support deals with more complex tasks for which it is difficult to give a standard generalized answer, and may include a large amount of programming on the part of the myCNC team. This will often involve the myCNC team remotely connecting to your computer/machine to work directly with your hardware.
+Paid technical support typically covers things such as:
+  * Developing custom PLC procedures that have not been previously implemented in myCNC, or finding and identifying errors in your custom PLC procedures
+  * Step-by-step guidance on setting up the machine from scratch (includes a remote connection to your workstation).
+  * Help with creation of custom profiles and profile screens
+The myCNC-ET7 controller comes with one hour of paid technical support bundled with your purchase. The myCNC-ET10 comes bundled with two hours of paid technical support.
+For requesting technical support, or for more information on pricing, please use the Contact Us page form on our main website, or email us at mail@pv-automation.com.
+++++
 ====Software Setup====
+=== What are the login credentials for a computer running a custom Linux build? ===
+The login credentials for all Linux computers using the myCNC Ubuntu MATE installation are the following:
+Login: **mycnc**
+Password: **operator**
 ++++ How do I navigate the myCNC software? |
@@ Line 22: / Line 84: @@
 ++++ How to load G-code or DXF files into the software? |
+{{youtube>RGNR-iafcaI?large}}
 The files that you are attempting to load must be located in folders that are specified in the **Settings > Config > Preferences > Common** fields for **NC code folders**. If a folder that you would like to load your files from is missing, add it on a new line and press the Save Configuration button:
@@ Line 28: / Line 92: @@
 If a folder is not listed in the NC code folders list (or is not within one of the folders listed), you will not be able to open files from it  within the myCNC application.
+The following standard folders are used on Linux (Ubuntu MATE) installations:
+''~/DNC/''
+''~/Desktop/G-codes/''
+To load file from your USB drive, you can add the following folder to the NC code folders list:
+''/media/''
+{{youtube>HBX8ngKnNbE?large}}
+The ''~'' symbol allows you to not write out the whole /home/USERNAME/DNC line, however the full filepath can also be used.
+The following standard folders are used on Windows installations:
+''C:\DNC''
+''C:\DNC\LIBS''
 After you have listed the folders that you would like to have access to, you can open files using the **Open G-code** and **Open DXF** buttons from the main software screen:
@@ Line 58: / Line 142: @@
 ++++ How to switch the profile / technology? |
+{{youtube>g4DxHfdkl8s?large}}
 In order to switch the current technology / profile within the software (for example, to switch from the Mill profile to a Plasma profile, or from a Plasma profile to Tangential Cutting):
@@ Line 71: / Line 157: @@
 ++++
+++++ Why do the changes to Config/Settings not take effect as soon as the Save Cfg button is pressed? |
+The settings in the Config panel are typically edited by the system integrator only when setting up the machine. After completing the setup process, or in cases when the settings within the Config tab are changed, it is recommended to restart the program. All changes to the settings available to the operator (from the main screen / via User Settings) take effect immediately without rebooting.
+++++
 ++++ How to roll back to a previous version of the software? |
@@ Line 97: / Line 190: @@
 ++++
+++++ How to remove the homing dialog that keeps popping up when starting the program? |
+{{youtube>M1Cljq6eB3w?large}}
+The homing dialog is done through the HOMING_HANDLER Software PLC. If you would like to disable it, add a line saying exit(99); near the start of the code like so:
+{{::faq-qs-homing-handler-002.png}}
+This will force the handler to exit before showing the popup. In order to bring the popup up again, simply delete the exit(99); line, or put two forward slashes in front of it, like so:
+<code> //exit(99); </code>
+For more information on this homing dialog, please consult the full [[quickstart:mycnc-quick-start:homing_setup|Homing manual]].
+++++
+++++ How to set up default I/O ports' names? |
+The default names for the I/O ports that can later be used in your Hardware and Software PLCs can be set up in the pins.h file (located by heading into Settings -> Config -> PLC -> Hardware PLC -> pins.h). A video on the pins.h file is available here:
+{{youtube>5n2UdDf81QY?large}}
+++++
 ++++ How to change Screen Size and Position |
@@ Line 147: / Line 264: @@
 {{youtube>_frGph3FIIE?large}}
+To change the system from one set of units to another, confirm the following options:
+  - Specify G20/G21 within the system (if that command is not already present in the G-code program). This can be done by typing the G20/G21 command (depending on the desired unit system) into the MDI. See video above for more information.
+  - Change the G-code settings (//Settings > Config > G-codes settings > Linear Unit//) to inch/mm.
+  - Change the Visualization settings (//Settings > Config > Screen > Display Linear Axes In//) to inch/mm.
+Do not forget to save after steps 2 and 3.
 ++++
@@ Line 182: / Line 307: @@
 ++++
-==== Troubleshooting ====
+++++ What's the difference between axes and motor outputs |
+The difference between motors and axes is that multiple motors can be used for the same axis. For instance, a gantry may use two motors for the two sides of the machine during the alignment, however they are both still the "X"-axis. This concept of multiple motors being used for the same axis is well-illustrated in the [[mycnc:gantry_alignment_macro_wizard|Gantry Alignment]] manual.
+If a "dual axis" is required, then you can assign a specific axis (for instance, axis Y) to two motors. This "slave Y" setup is illustrated in the following section of the manual: [[mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples#how_to_setup_dual_axis_slave_x_slave_y|MyCNC Setup Examples: How to setup dual axis]]. Similarly, if you have multiple motors for the Z axis, they will still all be assigned to axis Z, and not to some other axis.
+For tool change macros (M6) you'd need to move one motor to some parking location and switch the Z axis to a new motor output. This change between different motor outputs is illustrated in the following example: [[mycnc:mycnc_setup_examples#how_to_setup_dual_axis_slave_x_slave_y#how_to_set_up_a_multi-tool_router|MyCNC Setup Examples: How to set up a multi-tool router]]
+A visual way of thinking about the concept of switching motors is to imagine that one needs to draw a coloured picture on a piece of paper with six different coloured pencils. Such an operation does not require six arms to complete - instead, one arm (one axis) may be enough. All that is required is to switch the pencils (different motors) by leaving them on the side of the table in some sort of a "parking location" before moving on to the next colour.
+++++
+==== Hardware Setup and Troubleshooting ====
 ++++ Why is there no connection between my computer and the myCNC controller? |
@@ Line 191: / Line 328: @@
 ++++ Why do ports turn on/off automatically when opening and closing the program? |
+{{youtube>QzMPs64QzEQ?large}}
 Check the _HANDLER_INIT and _HANDLER_EXIT Software PLCs for the starting and closing commands respectively (specifically, the ''portset'' and ''portclr'' commands:
@@ Line 200: / Line 339: @@
 ++++
+++++ Why is the tool change macro M6 not working? |
-++++ How to remove the homing dialog that keeps popping up when starting the program? |
+Check that the M6TXX tool change commands are accepted by the myCNC software (Settings > Config > G-codes settings > Tool Change M6TXX):
-The homing dialog is done through the HOMING_HANDLER Software PLC. If you would like to disable it, add a line saying exit(99); near the start of the code like so:
+{{::config-080-tool-change.png}}
-{{::faq-qs-homing-handler-002.png}}
-This will force the handler to exit before showing the popup. In order to bring the popup up again, simply delete the exit(99); line, or put two forward slashes in front of it, like so:
-<code> //exit(99); </code>
 ++++
@@ Line 220: / Line 354: @@
 NOTE: The first value in the Pulse Width field in the myCNC settings refers to the first four movement directions for the controller (for example, X+, X-, Y+ and Y-), while the second value refers to the last two movement directions (for example, Z+ and Z-). Typically, these fields should be set to the same value, however they can be different if different drivers are used on the last two axes (motors 5 and 6) as compared to motors 1 through 4.
+++++
+++++ How does encoder resolution work in myCNC? |
+On modern servo drivers, the motor encoder connects directly to the servo driver and does not connect to the myCNC controller. Therefore, the encoder system, whether the encoder is absolute or incremental, the encoder resolution, etc, do not matter for the controller itself.
+The servo driver has outputs for emulation of the incremental encoder ABZ. It is these signals that should be sent to the controller to obtain information about the rotor's position.
+Within myCNC, the resolution (number of pulses per revolution) is usually a parameter of the servo driver that can be adjusted, and therefore is not directly related to the physical resolution of the actual encoder.
 ++++
@@ Line 230: / Line 375: @@
 If using an ET10 board, check that it was assembled correctly, using the images in this forum thread as reference: [[http://forum.pv-automation.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1170|Forum Link]]. A common mistake with the ET10 boards is not aligning the board properly before putting them back together, resulting in a dysfunctional assembly.
-If nothing comes up, write to us using our [[https://www.pv-automation.com/contacts|Contact Us page]]. If the product is under warranty, we will replace it.
+If nothing comes up, write to us using our [[https://www.pv-automation.com/en/support/contact-us|Contact Us page]]. If the product is under warranty, we will replace it.
 ++++
@@ Line 244: / Line 389: @@
 {{:faq-library-005.png}}
-Save and reload the application, and the Parts Library should be back to normal:
+Note that the libraries must be present within the ''opt/USERNAME/lib'' folder (typically, ''opt/mycnc/lib'') for them to be visible within the myCNC software:
+{{::shape-lib-caja-001.png}}
+Save the settings and reload the myCNC application, and the Parts Library should be back to normal:
 {{:faq-library-006.png}}
@@ Line 276: / Line 425: @@
   * Check that the reference voltage has been chosen correctly
 {{hardware:thc:mycnc-thc-012.png}}
-  * In Settings > Config > Technology > THC, check that the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference and Alarm Arc Voltage Rise aren't set to a value that's too low - in cases where the reference and the measured voltage are too different, a small value of the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference will prevent the THC system from starting. Set the value to 1000 to temporarily disable this feature.
+  * In Settings > Config > Technology > THC, check that the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference and Alarm Arc Voltage Rise aren't set to a value that's too low - in cases where the difference between reference and measured voltage is too great, a small value of the Alarm Arc Voltage Difference will prevent the THC system from starting. Set the value to 1000 to temporarily disable this feature.
 {{:thc:thc-setup-008-arc-alarm.png}}
   * Check that THC is enabled in the User Settings
@@ Line 317: / Line 466: @@
 ++++
+**Related articles**:
+  * [[quickstart:mycnc-quick-start|MyCNC Quick Start]]
+  * [[plc:plc|PLC]]
+  * [[mycnc:mycnc_configuration_dialogs|MyCNC Configuration Dialogs]]
+=====FAQs for obsolete boards/software=====
+++++How to install myCNC on Cubieboard2? |
+. Number of packages are needed to run myCNC sofware on Cubieboard2.
+To install it run -
+sudo   apt-get   update
+sudo   apt-get   install   ffmpeg   libsdl1.2debian   libopencv-dev   libusb-1.0
+. Download myCNC-arm-linux last distribution file from download page.
+. Run the file with administrator rights:
+ sudo ./myCNC-arm-linux-1.84.907-2014-1204.sh
+. Press Y <Enter> to confirm you like to install myCNC software.
+. Press Y  <Enter> to accept EULA terms.
+. Enter myCNC destination folder ("myCNC" by default). The software will be installed on "/opt/YOUR_FOLDER"
+. Installation will be finished in a few seconds.
+. To run the myCNC software use script file myCNC.sh in myCNC folder.
+++++
+++++How to set up the controller IP via command line? |
+In command line while starting myCNC software with option "-L"
+For example, Linux:
+./Linux/myCNC  -dUt   -pVision  -L192.168.0.178
+Windows:
+c:\MyCNC\bin\myCNC.exe  -dUt   -pVision  -L192.168.0.178
+Command line option "-L" have higher priority. IP address with "L" otion is used first.
+However when "Save" button in configuration dialog pressed, myCNC software reloads settings from configuration file and data from Configuration dialog/"Network" tab takes effect.
+If you have different IP address settings in "Network" tab and command line "L" option - you will get connection lost (established) when "Save" button pressed.
+++++
+++++ How to transfer a profile to a different machine through Profile Archive |
+myCNC can store current profile snapshot to mySQL database file. This file can be transfered to another computer and profile restored form the archive.
+By default database file is stored in -
+ "C:\MyCNC\db\profiles.sqlite" (for MS Windows)
+"/home/USER_NAME/myCNC/db/profiles.sqlite" (for Linux)
+To store current profile press "Ctrl+Z". Profile save dialog will be shown. You can enter comments and enter/change save date to easy identify the shapshot later:
+{{::faq-obsolete-001-archive.png}}
+++++
+++++How to change the scale of a G-code program via Server API? |
+There are 2 version of command "SetScale" in the Server API to change scale of given g-code file.
+For both commands g-code program should be loaded to myCNC by runnig command "ProgramFileOpen" -
+Example:
+ProgramFileOpen /sk/DNC/3d3.nc
+) Command "SetScale".
+Format: SetScale <scale>
+Example:
+SetScale 3.5
+(myCNC software will open g-code file defined by command "ProgramFileOpen", scale it to factor 3.5 and load result to myCNC memory).
+ If "SetScale" command used several times, previous "scale" ratios are ignored. myCNC software uses original g-code file and the last "scale" ratio to generate scaled program.
+{avsplayer videoid=1}
+)Command "SetScale++".
+For some applications "scale" ratio should be used together with g-codes rotation. In this case commands "SetScale++" and "SetRotationAngle++" should be used.
+When running "SetScale++" command "scale" ratio is latched to 'Scale&Rotation" structure. If running "SetRotationAngle++" myCNC software loads g-code file, given with "ProgramFileOpen" commands and perform rotation and scale with given Angle and Scale.
+Example:
+SetScale++ 2.75
+SetRotationAngle++ 1.77
+++++