Machine Configuration (INI, HAL, Files)

Creating a working Machine Configuration for Probe Basic

Probe Basic uses some different methods to offer its feature-rich user experience, which requires customized files and settings inside the HAL and INI files to function properly. Below is a guide to help create a working machine configuration for Probe Basic. This guide assumes a basic installation with manual tool changes. A future document will be available for more complex configurations with ATC and Coolant Cannon functionality.

Step 1: Create a basic configuration

  1. Create a configuration for your machine using Pncconf or mesact/mesact2 from the LinuxCNC menu in the applications drop-down in the upper menu bar. In this example, we are using Pncconf.

  2. It is Recommended to use the Axis GUI display for this initial build.

  3. Have your machine’s wiring schematic premade to make filling in the required information fast, easy, and accurate in Pncconf.

  4. After completing the Pncconf configuration builder and creating a new machine configuration saved in the LinuxCNC config directory, start LinuxCNC using your new config to verify there are no errors.

  5. Test the machine to verify the base functionality is correct (e.g., jogging, spindle function, axis motion).

  6. Once completed and found to function correctly, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Copy required files

  1. In the LinuxCNC config folder, locate your new config folder and the “probe_basic_machine_config_setup_files” folder.

  2. Open two folder windows on the desktop: the new Pncconf folder created for your machine and the probe_basic_machine_config_setup_files folder.

  3. Clean up the Pncconf folder by removing unneeded files (see images below for reference).

  4. Copy the required files from the probe_basic_machine_config_setup_files folder to the Pncconf config folder.

*the latest DEVELOP version requires the “user_buttons” folder to be copied over also (not shown in pics below)!*

As built pncconfig folder

_images/pb_instruction_1.png

Unneeded pncconfig files highlighted

_images/pb_instruction_2.png

Cleaned up pncconfig folder

_images/pb_instruction_3.png

Files to be Copied from probe_basic_machine_config_setup_files folder

_images/pb_instruction_4_2.png

Files Copied to pncconfig folder

Files Copied to pncconfig folder

Step 3: Edit INI files

  1. Open the Pncconf “my_LinuxCNC_machine.ini” file side by side with the supplied “probe_basic_required_ini_items.ini” file in a text editor.

  2. Integrate the lines from “probe_basic_required_ini_items.ini” into your existing file: - If a line is present in your machine file, use the Probe Basic settings for that line. - If a line is not in your machine file, copy it to the appropriate section in “my_LinuxCNC_machine.ini”.

  3. Note that only ONE postgui HAL file can be called. Add any additional items to the existing probe_basic_postgui.hal file.

  4. Save the file and delete the “probe_basic_required_ini_items.ini” file from the folder.

Required ini file items for Probe Basic

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = probe_basic
OPEN_FILE = ~/linuxcnc/nc_files/pb_examples/blank.ngc
CONFIG_FILE = custom_config.yml
MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 2.000000            # Recommended Setting for Probe Basic
MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 2.000000         # Recommended Setting for Probe Basic
MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.500000         # Recommended Setting for Probe Basic
INTRO_GRAPHIC = pbsplash.png            # Recommended Setting for Probe Basic
INTRO_TIME = 5                          # Recommended Setting for Probe Basic
INCREMENTS = JOG .01in .001in .0001in   # REQUIRED Setting for Probe Basic
USER_TABS_PATH = user_tabs/             # REQUIRED Setting for Probe Basic
USER_BUTTONS_PATH = user_buttons/       # REQUIRED Setting for Probe Basic

[RS274NGC]
RS274NGC_STARTUP_CODE = F10 S300 G20 G17 G40 G49 G54 G64 P.001 G80 G90 G91.1 G92.1 G94 G97 G98
PARAMETER_FILE = linuxcnc.var
OWORD_NARGS = 1
NO_DOWNCASE_OWORD = 1
SUBROUTINE_PATH = subroutines

[HAL]
HALUI = halui                              # Use local path to your hal file directory
POSTGUI_HALFILE = probe_basic_postgui.hal  # ONLY 1 postgui hal file can be called at launch
TWOPASS = on                               # Add to pr edit the PB postgui hal file

[TRAJ]
AXES = 3 # or number of axes of your machine

Step 4: Modify Post Gui Hal File

Modify the following lines by commenting them out, they are used for testing in probe basic sim only and will error in the real machine configs. the spindle feedback line can be used if it is setup in the main hal and the hardware is on the machine to provide a spindle speed input to linuxcnc.

loadrt time
loadrt not

addf time.0 servo-thread
addf not.0 servo-thread
net prog-running not.0.in <= halui.program.is-idle
net prog-paused halui.program.is-paused => time.0.pause
net cycle-timer time.0.start <= not.0.out
net cycle-seconds qtpyvcp.timerseconds.in <= time.0.seconds
net cycle-minutes qtpyvcp.timerminutes.in <= time.0.minutes
net cycle-hours qtpyvcp.timerhours.in <= time.0.hours
# *** Time items required for Probe Basic to run ***

#  ---manual tool change signals---
net tool-change-request     =>  qtpyvcp_manualtoolchange.change
net tool-change-confirmed   <=  qtpyvcp_manualtoolchange.changed
net tool-number             =>  qtpyvcp_manualtoolchange.number

# *** Probe graphic simulation trigger push probe tip ***
# net probe-in  =>  qtpyvcp.probe-in.out     <----comment this line out>
net probe-in  <=  qtpyvcp.probe-led.on

# *** Set line below for actual spindle readout from your hal file ***
# net spindle-rpm-filtered scale_to_rpm.out  =>  qtpyvcp.spindle-encoder-rpm.in   <----comment this line out or connect to your rpm net pin>

Step 5: Modify HAL file

  1. Add digital and analog IO to the HAL file by modifying the following line:

    loadrt [EMCMOT]EMCMOT servo_period_nsec=[EMCMOT]SERVO_PERIOD num_joints=[KINS]JOINTS

    Add this to the end of the line:

    num_dio=6 num_aio=3

    The finished edit should look like this:

    loadrt [EMCMOT]EMCMOT servo_period_nsec=[EMCMOT]SERVO_PERIOD num_joints=[KINS]JOINTS num_dio=6 num_aio=3
HAL file modification

  1. Remove the red highlighted manual tool change dialog section from the bottom of the hal file as shown in the image below. Probe basic uses its own built in dialog for manual tool changes which give the user better tool information and matches the ui visual theme more appropriately.

Tool change section to remove

Launching Probe Basic

  1. Under the CNC section of the drop-down applications menu, find your machine configuration and select it to launch.

  2. Check the box at the bottom of the launch window to create a desktop icon for easier starts.

  3. To set the Probe Basic icon: - Right-click the desktop launcher and select “edit launcher” - Click the current icon image, this will open the icon folder - Find and select the icon named “probe_basic_mill”

You should now be ready to use Probe Basic with your machine configuration.