Re: STG2 - Latest Developments

[JohnDRoc-at-aol.com]

I have made progress!  I recompiled the June release on 2.2.13 and 2.0 
kernels - it was by accident actually because I also had 2.2.14 and 2.2, but 
it grabbed the first directory that it saw.  Anyway, I have been able to get 
the X and Y axes to move.  I even turned the signal up a little, so they haul 
a-- too (800IPM)!  The motors actually sound like they are "grinding" or 
working really hard at all speeds.  I don't know if this is in the amp 
adjustment or the PID adjustment.  But I should be able to play with them 
now, and maintain otherwise consistent settings.  It doesn't appear that my 
previous "amp tweaking" has affected the amps.  I still think that the +/- 
settings are backwards, because the count should go (+) when the table moves 
to the left and (-) when it moves to the right.  I think it may have to do 
with the fact that it is a "CNC-made" machine and not a retrofit - the motors 
are opposite where they would be on a retrofit.  As I was discussing with 
Will, the pain about the encoders is that they don't get powered until the 
computer is turned on, so if there is any noise in the system, the STG card 
"plugs its ears" until the computer is rebooted.  I have noticed it several 
times - maybe it would be possible to program an STG reset call in with the 
Reset in TkEMC or power the encoders from an external source.  Other than 
that, I haven't noticed any major problems with June (knock knock).  But like 
that famous line from some movie I don't remember "...this is only the 
beginning."

-John