jRstepGui

[Alex Harvey]

So I NEVER got the rstepgui to work. it launches without errors, and lets me select the right comport, but then it just sits there with "Waiting for rStep".

I can use the controller just fine with teraterm (don't ask, but it works!). The unit sends its "START".

On a side note, my hatred for eclipse runs even deeper now then it did before. How about including a simple eclipse project file? Since I can get it to install the subversion plug-in, thank you windows 7! (So that some debugging can be done)

Alex

[Reza Naima]

Alex,

I can get it to work one time then not again, and I have a pretty good 
idea why (I posted a solution some time ago).  I'll go ahead and try 
implementing it and see how it goes.

I also hate eclipse.  Why they don't support a project file is beyond 
me.  I'll update the docs to remove the requirement for the SVN plugin 
-- I use TortiseSVN on windows 7 to grab the files and point eclipse at 
that directory.

Do you have the hardware hooked up to anything yet?

Reza

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Alex Harvey February 17, 2011 8:55 PM

[Alex Harvey]

Everything is hooked up and working, been using it on and off for the past 2 months. Work sort of got the better of me. rStep + teraterm with some macros is a quick and easy hack to use my small desktop mill.

Trying to resolve some scaling issues with some cad software generating g-code and was hoping to use the GUI, but after fighting with it for over an hour.. without any errors, just it not working it drove me nuts...

Hmm maybe a change in IDE for the Java gui is required, something that supports a project file? To save the devs time.

Biggest issue with the rStep board, USB issue, board wont detected if the usb cable is plug into the unit first then pc, other way around is fine. (I mentioned this before)

Second one is heat, it gets warm running my steppers, i have a little drift caused by the stepper drives going to sleep, if we could make that configurable that would be great. (so i could set it to like 30seconds)

Alex

[Reza Naima]

Thanks for the feedback.

your first problem is still very strange.  what if you leave it plugged in and reboot?

also, did I send you any heatsinks for the stepper controllers?  Perhaps you can turn down the current a bit (what is it set to?).   Also, with regards to drift, I can change it so it goes into a lower current state while the motors are not moving and a higher one when they are moving.  It'll require another "low current" configuration option.. easy to do.

Reza

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Alex Harvey February 18, 2011 5:36 PM

Everything is hooked up and working, been using it on and off for the past 2 months. Work sort of got the better of me. rStep + teraterm with some macros is a quick and easy hack to use my small desktop mill.

Trying to resolve some scaling issues with some cad software generating g-code and was hoping to use the GUI, but after fighting with it for over an hour.. without any errors, just it not working it drove me nuts...

Hmm maybe a change in IDE for the Java gui is required, something that supports a project file? To save the devs time.

Biggest issue with the rStep board, USB issue, board wont detected if the usb cable is plug into the unit first then pc, other way around is fine. (I mentioned this before)

Second one is heat, it gets warm running my steppers, i have a little drift caused by the stepper drives going to sleep, if we could make that configurable that would be great. (so i could set it to like 30seconds)

Alex

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Reza Naima February 18, 2011 5:30 PM

[iklln6]

as far as the heat goes, a little convection is all it'll take -- a
small draft and couple salvaged TO-220 transistor heat sinks with some
thermal compound. IF neither of those are an option turn the board
upside down so more heat is conducted by the ground pour. you won't
have icicles dangling off the drivers, but it'll help a little if
there's no alternative.

speaking of heat dissipation i have a suggestion for the next board
layout (however far out that may be) -- reza: if heat's consistently
this minor of an issue, we could try to jam some typical 0.1" pitch
header hole sets near the stepper drivers to get rid of heat. it'd be
the most effective cost-wise. let me know if you want some numbers
and i'll crunch the numbers, but by observation i can say it will be a
significant improvement. although i understand it'll be difficult
navigating headers through all traces. maybe surface-mount headers
(though we'd have contact thermal resistance reducing their
effectiveness)

[Reza Naima]

I think I just need to source a good sized heatsink.  The goal is for a run of qty 100 for the kickstarter thing (whenever i figure out how to make that video) so it shouldn't add much to the cost.   i'm also going to be migrating to a 2oz pour so it should help w/ heat as well. -r

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iklln6 February 18, 2011 5:57 PM

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Alex Harvey

February 18, 2011 5:36 PM

Everything is hooked up and working, been using it on and off for the past 2 months. Work sort of got the better of me. rStep + teraterm with some macros is a quick and easy hack to use my small desktop mill.

Trying to resolve some scaling issues with some cad software generating g-code and was hoping to use the GUI, but after fighting with it for over an hour.. without any errors, just it not working it drove me nuts...

Hmm maybe a change in IDE for the Java gui is required, something that supports a project file? To save the devs time.

Biggest issue with the rStep board, USB issue, board wont detected if the usb cable is plug into the unit first then pc, other way around is fine. (I mentioned this before)

Second one is heat, it gets warm running my steppers, i have a little drift caused by the stepper drives going to sleep, if we could make that configurable that would be great. (so i could set it to like 30seconds)

Alex

Reza Naima February 18, 2011 5:30 PM

Alex,

I can get it to work one time then not again, and I have a pretty good
idea why (I posted a solution some time ago). I'll go ahead and try
implementing it and see how it goes.

I also hate eclipse. Why they don't support a project file is beyond
me. I'll update the docs to remove the requirement for the SVN plugin
-- I use TortiseSVN on windows 7 to grab the files and point eclipse at
that directory.

Do you have the hardware hooked up to anything yet?

Reza

---

[Alex Harvey]

I'm currently running 2amps with he heatsinks i find they don't really help move the heat that much, a better poor and heatsink would help.

Rebooting the PC or the Arduino? Resetting the Arduino does not fix the usb issue.

Alex

[Reza Naima]

I mean, once connected  - if you reboot your PC do you have problems with the PC recognizing the arduino? 

Also, if you have a hub, try putting it between the arduino and pc to see how that changes thing.

My stepper motors get hot at 2A, try turning it down a bit and seeing if you are getting any less performance out of your mill?  Try 1.5A..

Reza

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Alex Harvey February 18, 2011 6:05 PM

I'm currently running 2amps with he heatsinks i find they don't really help move the heat that much, a better poor and heatsink would help.

Rebooting the PC or the Arduino? Resetting the Arduino does not fix the usb issue.

Alex

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Reza Naima February 18, 2011 6:03 PM