CNC Information and Resources Page 2
To get started, you will need to have a PC running the LinuxCNC software so that you can make your setup. To get the latest ISO (the data to create an install DVD), you should go here: LINUXCNC DOWNLOAD PAGE
This presumes you want the English version, if not, then start directly on the linuxcnc.org page and search for the files needed for your language. Once you have the PC set up with the new operating system, you are ready to configure your own CNC machine driver. The driver software is called AXIS and it can be configured in a number of ways. The quickest way to do this is with the STEPCONFIG WIZARD that can be located in the top menu under "CNC".
You can find additional information on using the wizard from the LinuxCNC Wizard Page which will likely prove very useful to you as you answer the various prompts.
If you are still very new to CNC, I have written a PDF document that may also be very helpful to you.
Here is a video to help you see what the steps are, it's about 15 minutes long. There is closed captioning... and if you want, you can tell YouTube to translate to another language if English is not your primary language.
Setting up LinuxCNC using the Step Configuration Wizard
A breakout board is a circuit board that allows you to make connections with simple terminal connectors. In my original configuration for my milling machine, I made my own board. The advantage to using an available board is that you can find more support for it. It also means that when you go to troubleshoot your system, others will have a good idea of problems and corrections. I chose to go with a Stainsmart 5-Axis Breakout board.
To make life easier... I also drew up a nice reference card that will help you in figuring out which pins to connect for what signal you are attempting to read or control. I have the PDF document avalable here: BREAKOUT BOARD PINS
I am working on a new project, a small milling machine that I can take to the meetings with me to teach people about how to set up and use a CNC machine. With all the parts laying on the table it looked like a Frankenstein Lab or something... so I decided to call this mini-series "Frankenlab" .
I hope you enjoy this and find it useful...
Starting the Frankenlab project.
Getting the basic machine running... still needs calibration... but It's alive!!!
Jerry
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