CNC12 Router Restructure Beta Software thread. Rev4

[cnckeith]

We've been working on tailoring CNC12 Router to better fit a typical CNC Router Operators work flow.

This 'remodel' of CNC12 Router will be released initially as CNC12 v5.18 for Acorn only.

The remodel largely consists of restructuring the CNC12 menus for Router work and adding many new built-in canned features for Touch Plates, Rotary Tables and Improvements in the Tool Library with built in "smart" macros that are based on the machine configuration in the Wizard. So for instance in the Wizard if you have a Rack Mount ATC with a fixed Tool Touch off device and you selected "measure tools after each tool change", in CNC12 the "F7 Change Tool" button knows that and will Put the tool away, Get the new tool and automatically touch off the TT.

The other theme with the restructure is that F keys inside of CNC12 that has any action or motion will be broken out to a editable macro. This way user can use the centroid supplied macro as is, make simple edits like changing words , make heavy edits by commenting out lines or adding lines or even completely replace the Centroid supplied macro with their own macro to suit their specific application.

I start this thread as a place to include you our valued customers in the continued development of CNC12 Router.

I hope to be able to post a public beta download here soon!

in the mean time here is a video of some new tools we added to G code backplot in CNC12 Router.

[cnckeith]

and we will add a similar rectangular box for the work envelope in addition to being able to show the machine travel limits.

[gerald martin]

Looking great, Keith!

Do you have a CNC12 version that can be installed on a design computer for preview of the gcode yet? or does it still require CNC hardware connected to preview?

GM

[tblough]

You can install the offline version of CNC12 to preview g-code, or use Notepad++ with the NCnetic plugin.

[suntravel]

Nice, I hope this will be implemented in the mill version also

Uwe

[cnckeith]

Nice, I hope this will be implemented in the mill version also

Uwe

yep!

every new feature in Router that also applies to mill (or lathe) will be included with Mill or lathe or plasma for that matter

[ShawnM]

I start this thread as a place to include you our valued customers in the continued development of CNC12 Router.

Hi Keith, would it be possible in the future to add the ability to control a drill block on a CNC router using a wizard page? Like the rack mount ATC setup where you tell CNC12 the tool location you could also input X and Y offsets for the various drills (and diameters?) in a drill block. Then we could easily assign an output to turn on the drill motor and then another output for each drill in the drill block. Each drill in the block is actuated pneumatically so it's as easy as an output closing a contact for the solenoid valve. All the drills, no matter the diameter are the same length so a height offset would be easy to setup. This may be a big ask as 9 out of 10 users don't have drill blocks but the ability to retrofit older, industrial routers with a modern and powerful Centroid control could open up a whole new market.

Again, I know this might be a big ask and not a high priority if you are not targeting industrial routers but more the hobbyist router.

[cnckeith]

yeah that should be no problem to support drill blocks directly without custom code. i'll put it on the list

[ShawnM]

yeah that should be no problem to support drill blocks directly without custom code. i'll put it on the list

That would be great to see this feature one day, thank you.

[cnckeith]

CNC12 Acorn Router BETA v5.17 rev3
For use with Acorn and AcornSix ONLY
This is a Beta version for public testing.
Please do not install this software on a customers machine!:-)

DO NOT use “restore report”

If you are interested in trying out this version of CNC12 make a copy of your existing cncm directory and save in a safe place and then run this Beta installer and configure it with the Acorn Wizard.

Do not copy over old files from old cnc12 installations (at least initially), please use the stock centroid macros and VCP and exercise them, we are looking for feedback on all the new ‘canned’ features we have added (and not de-bugging your custom atc/macros/vcp for the moment) and please do not jump into the CNC12 parameters screen and start changing things either as we are looking for feedback on the stock installation which equals stock parameters, stock macros, stock vcp etc. Please use the Wizard to configure and test.

all existing CNC12 Router License files are compatible with this version. With this new version simply reinstall the license file with "Import License" or simply copy over the license.dat from an old cncm directory.

thanks to craig we found a Wizard issue on the axis pairing screen and we are fixing that now, i will have a fresh build posted later today. thanks Keith