That's the main problem I have with python. It's a great language, fun and easy to use, but they don't keep backwards compatibility. Luckily, if I remember right, this is a piece of cake, as the Ubuntu repository should have all the major versions (Look in Synaptic Package manager under system tools - if unfamiliar).

Also, x1000 on the Version Control. Lumenlab should totally rock out a Google Code or SourceForge page for the configuration files. Then later for the custom software if that's still in the works and is going to be FOSS. Or heck, a special lockup thread in the Knowledge Base section.

--However, for the current ones Phife, Robin has included them as attachments to posts somewhere in this mega thread.

Re: config files for the micRo

While Robin has already attached them a few pages back, they are, at best, a reference point to start from. The second version has the second Xaxis motor working on its own instead of sharing the signals with the other Xaxis motor. Excellent work, Robin.

The problem is that Stepconf will wipe out Robins mods, which he has warned about.

Each persons computer is different, with different jitter values. These must be determined before any configuration can be started. Run stepconf, manually modify it with Robins mods, and then tweek as needed.

I have a usb game controller configured as a remote pendant for jogging, etc. Stepconf blows it away each time I run it, so I have to manually put it back afterward. Sigh. Maybe this is fixed in the emc2 version 2.3 ?

@Greg M.:
Yeah, currently version 9.xx of Ubuntu is not officially supported by EMC. There are a variety of reasons why this is so, the main one being that version 8.xx along with 6.xx is slated for long-term support. I don't know the support status for 9.xx, but I have the feeling that it's an intermediate version that won't be supported after a year or two. So, when you do get your micRo up and running, I'd suggest -at the very least- making your computer dual-boot for EMC's variant of Ubuntu 8. For what it's worth, the latest version of EMC supports Python 2.5 (I think).

@llamatrails:
We should have our own install of EMC/Ubuntu ready before too long. I happen to know that Kellie was working on it today. It's just a matter of Kellie and I getting together about it. I'm totally new to Linux BTW, so she handles that part, I'll handle the EMC part. However, it may be convenient for some people to start with a Stepconf generated .ini/.hal and then copy and paste into them with some of our specifications.. That might be the best short to mid-term solution. Unfortunately, despite a not small list of improvements to Stepconf, it will still blast all of your custom modifications in version 2.3..

As a side note, you don't know how many hours of searching I had to do to find out how to clone an axis across two "joints". In retrospect it's pretty obvious, but obvious enough that no one talks about it directly..

As another side note, I was hoping that the new release of Axis would fix the problem of starting in "joint mode" when a machine has cloned outputs instead of "world mode" aka "teleop mode". But, this hasn't been addressed.

Some of this is rt kernel stuff, but I think most of the incompatibilities were actually worked out in EMC 2.3.

This is great, from my own experimentation I think a custom set of install scripts based on the ones for 8.10 would be the best place to start, this would allow you to host the modified packages in a small repository instead of an entire iso. Any users would just install "vanilla" Ubuntu, add your repository and install EMC.

Like Robin I was unable to find the developer commentary on PCI parport devices I was looking for, the html documentation seems to have been rearranged. However it is worth noting EMC will drive 8 parallel ports by design. From various mailing list threads I determined there are motherboard related system latency and hardware compatibility issues which may interfere with an attempt to do this.Here are three documents most people building an EMC computer should read:
EMC Hardware_Requirements
EMC2 Hardware Design
EMC2 Supported Hardware

Finally, I don't know if everyone read the Change Log for EMC 2.3, but this little thing snuck into CVS a few weeks ago:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?NURBS
PDF Documentation

Thx for the information. At this point I plan to use a lot of gear I have laying around (minus some misc stuff I have on order). Worst case scenario, I may have to get some different hardware, and this shouldn't be an issue.

BC/Robin, Do you guys have any plans for a pendant/jog device? Or do you intend to stick with keyboards/joysticks?

There's some problem with the NURBS PDF link I posted earlier, an alternate link was made available:
http://timeguy.com/cradek-files/emc/Leto_art837759.pdf

Hi all,

Big ups to GadgetSmith for the homebrews! Sending (good) beer is always a great idea...

micRo sits here on the dining room table, and many important changes were made. RJ45 is deep six'd for sure. Check the new glossy black boxes; the leads are all soldered within. Breakouts to DB9 at the brain-box end, but not the favorite choice yet; more like DIN4 or whatever they call it. Oh, yeah, the base...it's like... ground flat to .001 or something. It looks shiny.

Click to view attachment

The system is compact:

Click to view attachment

So, are all of our (yet to be shipped) micRos getting the upgraded connections? Also, should we still be expecting an email telling us which of the shipping groups that we are in?

I'm still considering whether I want to upgrade to an official baseplate....

SWEET!! How did I miss this in the changelog?? Now, I know that it's only a bi-arc NURBS implementation, but... It's still way better than the absolute lack of it.

I know we'd both like to have a jog pendant, but... add that to the list of future improvements. It would be relatively easy to adapt an existing pendant though...

Yep, plus, we haven't had a pressing need for a pendant. It seems one of those geeky toys; most of the positioning is done in "the file". Once the Z is established, the rest is code.

I agree, it isn't a "need" for me either. Definitely would be fun to play with. I will probably look into a pre-made one. What about a shiny E-Stop?

Yeah I was wondering the same about the groups.. i want to wait until the end of next month to add some things so if i'm in group one i would gladly trade it for a group two

If I can work it out in time, everyone (who ordered a wiring kit or combo) will get the upgrade. The baseplate makes the machine so much better; the tool plate is great.

An email should go out tonight.

Has this email gone out yet ?
Can say i have seen it, just wantet to check.

Yeah I got it that night.. 6 or so days ago now

Subject was "Lumenlab Order Update"
Body starts with "Hello, Your micro order is in group 1"

I did not get that email, and I know I am in group 1.

Hmmm. I did order the Micro with baseplate in November, so i am supprised if i am in group two. Later added spindle and update kit.

BC, can you clarify this

Thanks

I ordered in July 08 and I believe there were a decent number before me. Keep in mind that by November the real push to complete the first batch had already well and truly begun (actually I think we were expecting to have them shipped already at that point ). It really just depends on how many micRo orders there have been and where BC needs to draw the line.

Yep.



Yes, because we thought you already knew you were in group one, since you've been talking to Kellie about your order...

BC
Hmm, i did get the mail that was sent out february 7th about that the micros was soon ready for shipping, so i am confused.
Am i in the first or the second group ?

If i am in the second group when will that batch be shipping ?

The initial plan was to use the micro to learn more about CNC and use it for manufacture the Rogr. If i am in group two it starts looking like my ROGR will be done before the micro ships

I assume I'm in Group 2.

Are there any ETAs for stuff? I'd like some idea when my machine will arrive. I'm not too fussed, but all the people I've told about it want to know too!

i got the email for group one .... was i suppost to recieve a shipping confirmation /tracking number too ? just making shure my neighbor doesn't have a new toy

Hi Folks, Sorry I've been AWOL; last week my laptop (and lifeline to the world) suffered an untimely demise (I knocked it into the tub trying to "protect" it from my 3yr old). Good thing it's just a $150 eBay special "Coputer" (cop car laptop). Still, my life is upside-down without it! The only other computer in the house is the one Kellie uses for the business; it's constantly locked-up. I should have a replacement tomorrow...


Hi Jan Erik, If you got the email, you're in group one! We are finishing the machines now, but encountered a couple of hangs that slowed us down. First is that we ran out of power supplies, so we're waiting on them (~8-10 days). Second was that we realized the upgrade to bigger X motors has left our inventory of X screws a little too short to have a shaft collar on each side of the XSR (X screw receiver blok), so I had to order more screws (~7-10 days). I didn't feel right dumping the fix on you guys! Good news is that the collars are now included in the hardware kits, and the power supplies are upgraded to 27v 4a (double the power)!


Hi soapy, ETA for V1.2 is about 6 weeks. A little longer than I had hoped, but V1.2 should be worth the wait.


Yes, we shipped yours two weeks ago.

J/K

I'll be certain to contact all of you as we approach the ship date; it really is almost finished!

Hi BC, Sorry to hear about your laptop.
I am still a little confused because i got the mail send feb 7th but not the one sent in april. So i still dont know what group i am in.

Can you check ?

Hi Jan Erik, we have several people that want to wait, so I can ship you a micRo either way. Just let Kellie ( support@lumenlab.com ) know!

Hi everyone! Robin and I have been busting asses finishing up a big batch of poppin' fresh robots! A few details remain, but the drivers are here and they are sweet! Anyway, I'll report on changes etc coming up, but I wanted to mention that RW and I have a gig tonight downtown. A friend organized it for us; it's called "Fablab" and is at the Bobo gallery on Lexington Ave. Full bar and quality DJing included.

(note; date was corrected to 09 ;p)

Click to view attachment

We set up the micRo in my garage last night to get it ready.

Click to view attachment

We had a problem with the Y axis acting funny. We had to go into the 'rat's nest' (biomorphic wire management system) to scope it out. We checked everything 10x before we found the problem, which was a single driver wire which was apparently connected perfectly, yet was somehow not. All we did was disconnect it and reconnect it and it worked again. Frustrating!

Click to view attachment

Oh yea, my replacement computer came Monday! I'm back! Check out the U810 UMPC...I Gimp'd these images and made this post with it...it even plays Netflix instant watch.

Click to view attachment

micRo rockin' the tool path

Good luck maybe a bit of G code a turntable and you can have a bot scratch some vinyl.

Cheers

The gig was great! Despite the standard technical difficulties (lost software, late arrival etc) we made a pretty good show. Lots of cool peeps showed up, and all were transfixed by the sight of the robot moving. I made a point to watch people's faces when they registered what they were seeing; a few people even stared at it bewildered with furrowed brows, until they comprehended that it was in motion, then total joy; crazy.

Hello BC,

Just wondering when confirmation letters get sent out for shipping recently altered group orders. For instance, I changed my "group 2" to "group 1" for a faster shipping, also, since it was done on the old shopping software I cannot see the status of that order.

to go along with this
how much longer would it add to go to group 2 ?
what are the proposed design changes to this revision ?

BC, any idea if I am in 1 or 2 (I too did not receive an email, and I even checked the dreaded spam folder)? Just so I know what to plan on, I do not mind being in 2 if that's the deal.

Hi lotus, we can not ship until all of the pieces are in stock. The drivers are here, but the power supplies and leadscrews are not. You may remember we upgraded the X motors to more powerful motors. The new motors do not have the same shaft length, requiring us to order longer screws. If we didn't do this, you'd have a hard time "locking down" the screw (to hold tight tolerance). We decided to try to upgrade the screws to a higher precision, fully machined (not rolled) screw. This decision wasn't necessary, and has cost a little time as we worked through the sample/confirmation process, but I'm glad to say the samples are fantastic! The downside it that the machining can take up to 20 more days as I was just informed, please understand.

Everything else is done!




Hi Neo, Upon shipment of v1.1, Robin, Kellie and I want to compact our operation, and apply ourselves to speeding up production. This includes putting a couple of micRos online to make its smaller parts, and fixturing more pieces to the RoGR. The projector side of our equation will be compacted/minimized to afford greater time to the robots. This will require some time, but I've already been working on it for two weeks now. Basically, I believe by the time the v1.1 leadscrews are here, we'll be ready to start v1.2. With v1.2 production we are trying to reach 5x our current capacity. Catching up with the backorders we hope won't take more than 2-3 weeks, after which the micRo stock will be continuous! (Please God!?)



Hi Greg, better write to support and ask Kellie.

----

PS: I'm trying to have the wiring tutorial finished tonight...

PPS@Neo: The major change in v1.2 is the elimination of the X bearing trucks.

I'm a little confused as to the different levels, basic premium and gold, If I order the gold is everything I need to get up and running included (besides the computer)? Is the spindle included? (is this motor that turns the cutting tool?) Sorry kinda new to this stuff.

Saying that it comes with "everything" is difficult, but the Gold package comes with almost everything. Here's some things that don't appear to be included...

• Parallel port cable (which is the normal way to hook-up these machines)
• Breakout board (which separates the parallel port wires and makes them easier to connect to the drivers)
• End mills and other tools (you'll probably want a bunch of these of all different sizes and shapes, it would be impractical to include them with the kits)
• Limit switches - not necessary but can be helpful
• E-Stop switch - technically not necessary either
• Consumables - like oil, cutting fluid, double sided tape

I'm sure this isn't a complete list... another thing you'll want that comes to mind is a brush (like a paint brush) to clear away the chips.

The spindle is indeed the thing that turns the tool.

Le sigh.

Ok, then if there is no point in being in group 1 than if the shipping isn't significantly different can I go back to my original group 2?

Can't wait to get this machine and have a job. Hopefully I'm not homeless by then

Hi, welcome to the fray! Yes, the spindle is included with micRo Gold, and yes you will receive everything to get it running minus an enclosure for the electronics.



Actually, micRo Gold comes with a very nice opto-isolated LPT breakout:

Click to view attachment



I'll try to help any way I can!

Is the "5v solution" you mention in the wiring tutorial going to be included in the group 2 gold packages? I want to know if I should start looking around for my own solution now if that's not the case.

BTW - the drivers look great! Also, what do the heatsinks for the drivers look like?

Just a quick question. Are there still group 1 orders to be shipped or has that already been done? I'd rather have the updated version if the older version is complete, but I'd rather have the older version if it will be shipped sooner.

I don't think the group 1 orders are out yet, because I haven't received mine I believe they are still waiting for some parts.

I'm Group 1 as well, and haven't received anything yet. Last I recall they were having to get new screws made due to a change in the motors leaving the existing screws too short.
I'll probably start a RoBlog as soon as I receive it and post pictures of what I get.

Yes, I hope to have the 5v ps for v1.2. For heatsinks we are using standard alum angle.


Just waiting for the completion of the replacement X screws; and v1.1 will certainly ship the soonest (within a couple weeks).





Yep, within a couple weeks!

A while back I remember watching a video of Brain oiling the shaft and in general setting up the spindle for use on the micRo, but now I can't find it. Does anyone know where it is?

I'm getting geared up for my micRo to arrive in the coming weeks, and I want to make sure I have all the stuff I need, including oil, to get it going.

I'm trying to figure out if I need to get a new parallel port cable for hooking up the micRo.

Is the breakout board DB25 male or female?

The Lumenlab store is selling male to male cords, but it looks like the breakout board has a male connector (I'm referencing the photo from http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/more-micro-c...hine-progress/). I'd like to avoid any adapters or gender changers to cut down on possible failure points.

Do you think there's any benefit (interference/error-wise) to going with a shorter cable?

Please don't take this as criticism, but I notice the micRo has come a long way since it's budget conception!

Will the micRo still be available in kit form without the PC?

~S~

I knew it was only a matter of time before I was reminded of how wrong I was about the price.

My infernal optimism tends me to believe all problems are "simple' and can be resolved in practically no time with little money. You think I'd stop being this way, but I can't shake the belief that one day my attitude will pay off.

Other factors like crappy products from suppliers, economic maladies, canceled orders, bad decisions and the fact that time is going at least 2x as fast as it was a couple years ago(!) have forced certain decisions upon us; to choose the most reliable methods and components over the lowest priced. I could just say "I was wrong", but the truth be told, the single greatest reason for the price increase is due to our rising standard for value and quality out of the machine; we have been very inspired by our early successes and we've learned enough from our struggles to recently form a truly coherent understanding of our path. We are very excited, and we believe we will produce a lot of v1.2.1 micRos.

Now to your question; prevailing opinion is that a kit form of the robot mechanics will be available. I'm not ruling out selling the electrics "loose"; but you guys have to understand how we feel having sold a lot of bots without seeing them come online; it's kinda crushing, and we have to be honest with ourselves about what the real "barriers to entry" are to this desktop manufacturing madness. We want to take care of those problems; ultimately saving everyone loads of headaches and money; I mean, we want the robots to use them right?

The "5v solution" is now resolved with our intention to sell the MMC (micRo machine control).....hmmm how about "n.contRol" for a name? It starts with nc (g-code file extension), says "in control", and means (I guess) "numeric control".....and of course it has the "Ro" in there! Good, I always feel weird using cryptonumeric references to something I built with love....

Now back to 5v; since we are embedding the computer we have the ATX PS to give us lots of nice things including 5v. Problem solved for us at least. You could hack your 'puter to get your 5v, or get a (somewhat) regulated "wall wart"; and regular power supplies @ 5v are all over eBay...you don't need but perhaps 1-2 amps.

n.contRol, hehe...

To be honest, I keep waiting for more and more upgrades....so mine hasn't shipped....and of course hasn't been put online yet. In fact, some of my friends think that the robot doesn't even exist!

I'm excited for my kit - and I believe that a fair number of folks have it in them to put it together themselves. Especially once some units get out there and the DIY documentation pops up with pitfalls to avoid and hacks to improve the process.

I don't have anything against LL selling a full-on system, I just think there is a DIY market that you shouldn't ignore.