About to try TinyG

Home › Forums › TinyG › TinyG Support › About to try TinyG

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • September 3, 2015 at 9:45 pm #8702
    nzlowie
    Member

    Hi all
    I’ve been looking for a simple motion control solution to control a CNC quilting machine I’ve made for the wife. I had to pinch the control system off my CNC router, now I need to set something up on her machine… I only control around 2 amps so the TinyG should be ok. Before I purchase this module I just wanted to guage the support as I’m no computer expert, good basic understanding but no expert. Anyway, I use VCarve pro to produce my tool path and gcode, what format would I set the VCarve “code producer”(??) to? At the moment I set this to Mach3 format and use Mach3 to drive a Gecko G540.
    As I understand (only just started looking at the TinyG) I would import the gcode into the Chillipepper web page and run the TinyG from there, correct?
    Is the CoolTerm a suitable option if we don’t need to show the tool path? What about transferring the gcode via usb stick?

    Appreciate your thoughts around my questions, this looks like a good option so I hope its as easy as it looks.

    Cheers Dave

    September 4, 2015 at 3:56 pm #8703
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    CoolTerm works well for many people, as does Chilipeppr.
    Many folks also use Vcarve, although I am not sure what backend they use.
    You could post that question and I expect you’ll get responses.

    Do you use Vcarve to control the sewing Machine as well?
    You could probably implement a Macro to do that in Chilipeppr, several folks have added I/O capability.

    How big is your quilting table?

    September 5, 2015 at 12:39 am #8705
    nzlowie
    Member

    Thanks for the reply
    I’ll order a board in the next week or so now that I know I won’t be alone with this project!

    Here are a couple of youtube links, the first is the prototype and the second is the real deal. we can quilt up 2.5mtrs wide. Yes I use an output from the G540 to switch a relay the turns the sewing machine on and off.

    I watched a few youtube videos the other night on the TinyG and learnt quite a bit… Is ChilliPepper the way to go or should I look to make a stand alone unit with a Beagle board? This might be aiming a bit high….

    Anyway I’ll start with the TinyG as I only control around 2 amps.
    I’m sure there are going to be many more questions coming so please bare with me!

    Thanks Dave


    September 5, 2015 at 11:57 am #8708
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    Chilipeppr Has two software components –
    A Browser based Ap that runs best on Chrome, also Firefox and maybe IE11
    A server AP SPJS that has binaries for Win,. Mac, Linux, RasPi, Beagle and Edison

    The Browser Ap connects via home network to SPJS, which connects to tinyG via USB.
    The Browser PC to SPJS can be ethernet or WiFi (or….)

    Given the size of your machine, you might find a Pi or Beagle convenient, but you can for sure get started with both the Browser and SPJS running on the same PC (Laptop, desktop).
    The Browser app needs some horsepower to work well, don’t try a braindead cast off laptop (as many of us did).
    SPJS runs much better on RasPi2 class small machine.
    I don;’t know what equivalent Beagle might be.

    September 5, 2015 at 5:54 pm #8712
    nzlowie
    Member

    Cheers
    So I’ll start with TinyG and Chillipepper…. I’d love to make a stand alone system with say the RasPi, where is the best place for me to get assistance or possibly a kit? I’m sure I can get it all together witha bit of assistance along the way.

    Dave

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.