How to talk to TinyG from Linux??

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  • July 8, 2013 at 5:56 am #4278
    curnow
    Member

    G’Day Gang,
    Is there a resource that gives step by step instructions on how to communicate with TinyG from Linux? I am using Ubuntu 12.04.
    I can produce g-code with Pycam but have not found software to send it to the TinyG board. I have tried to get UniversalGcodesender to work with no luck. The instructions say extract the zip file and just click on the .jar file.
    When I click on any of the .jar files it opens up the archive manager. I have gone into properties and checked the “allow executing file as program” box but still opens archive manager.
    Any Help very welcome.

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 8, 2013 at 8:09 am #4279
    mcgyvr
    Member

    There is a 32 bit linux build of TgFX..
    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/huiupgemipv8f4q/X2l_1EH-gx

    July 8, 2013 at 9:48 am #4280
    curnow
    Member

    Thanks mcgyvr,
    I downloaded the .deb file and ran it through “Ubuntu Software Centre” and it appeared to install ok but I can’t find out how to run it. Does it need to be run from the terminal?

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 8, 2013 at 11:53 am #4281
    mcgyvr
    Member

    I don’t use linux but.. on my winblows machine I just loaded the exe and get an icon to run the program..

    July 8, 2013 at 10:55 pm #4285
    justing1319
    Member

    I’ve been using Plink (it’s a commandline version of Putty) to connect to the TinyG from Linux. You can open it from a terminal using the command:

    plink -serial /dev/ttyUSB0 -sercfg 115200,8,n,1,X

    I’ve been sending whole files of gcode by piping the file to plink like this:

    cat gcodes.txt| plink -serial /dev/ttyUSB0 -sercfg 115200,8,n,1,X

    Both of these examples I use “/dev/ttyUSB0” which assume that the TinyG is the first or only serial USB device. Hope this helps.

    July 9, 2013 at 4:28 am #4286
    curnow
    Member

    Thanks justing1319

    That gives me enough confidence to actually hook up the board and try some code.

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 10, 2013 at 12:48 am #4292
    Riley
    Keymaster

    The current linux build has an issue. Its looking for the JRE in the wrong place. I am working on getting an installer that works on ubuntu. However its not right yet.

    You can however, clone the repo and run it on linux from netbeans. Not ideal but good until I get a binary that WORKS.

    Riley

    July 10, 2013 at 7:02 am #4293
    curnow
    Member

    Thanks Riley,
    I’ll have a crack at that.

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 14, 2013 at 5:40 am #4322
    curnow
    Member

    G’Day Gang,
    I am wondering if the TinyG could be programmed to look for gcode files when a usb thumb drive is connected. There would have to be a usb breakout box suitable so power could be fed to board and still plug the thumb drive in. To keep it simple you could only load one project at a time. Would it be too dificult to achieve? This would solve all the issues with different operating systems.

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 15, 2013 at 7:38 am #4324
    alden
    Member

    It’s a good suggestion, but we are actually relying on hosts to perform these functions, rather than putting additional OS-style functionality on the TinyG itself. Since there still needs to be a way to control the file – start, hold, stop, etc., I think there still needs to be some kind of host.

    Do you have a specific application that would be made better by this type of USB functionality? I’d be interested to know.

    July 15, 2013 at 8:11 pm #4331
    curnow
    Member

    G’Day Alden,
    I don’t have a particular application in mind but thought it may be good to have a machine that could read a project from a sd card or usb thumb drive and go to work. I would imagine the project being created in what ever software that you use and the subsequent gcode saved to the thumb drive. Could the start,hold,stop be controlled via a external plug in key box/pad?
    If this system is not a goer I would like to end up with the TinyG connected to a Raspberry Pi or PCduino which I think some people have already got working. I will hassle Mr Google and see what comes up.

    Cheers
    Dennis

    July 16, 2013 at 7:56 am #4334
    alden
    Member

    I think the future is driving TinyG from the Rpi or the BeagleBoneBlack. I actually like the BBB better as it’s easier to set up and has great facilities for doing these types of operations.

    July 16, 2013 at 8:28 am #4335
    curnow
    Member

    Thanks Alden,
    Is the BBB setup up and running?

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