Setting up Ubuntu for Automatic Turn-on in Emc2

After booting Ubuntu, logging in, and starting up Emc2 for the past year, I am getting lazy. So I setup Ubuntu to automatically log in to my main account and start the EMC2 program. It is different than doing the same thing on Windows but possible (all thing that are possible in Windows are so in Linux usually with MANY more options...)

Setting up the computer to automatically log in to an account:
NOTE: This should probably not be done if the machine is on a network.

This one is simple and easy to find with a Google search:

Click on System -> Administration ->Login Window
Click on Security
The click on "Enable Automatic Login"
And select the name of your user in the box below it.

Setting up the machine to run a program like Windows "Start Menu"

My first thought was to modify the .login file which is the old school way to start programs outside of a windowing environment (back in 1987...)

With Ubuntu you have to start a program after the windowing environment has started. To do this you edit Sessions.

Click System -> Preferences -> Sessions
Click Add and enter a name and for the command enter something like
emc /home/username/emc2/configs/yourmachine/yourmachine.ini

Probably a good time to turn off a bunch of things that automatically start up that is not needed for a cnc machine (like the update which will break emc2).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DIY CNC Milling Machine Control Panel for EMC2

Image
This is meant to be an addition to a regular industrial style alphanumeric keyboard with trackball. It contains the most widely used functions as far as I now know. Since I am using a CNC4PC C11G I only have 5 inputs. All these functions are available on the keyboard within EMC2 and will not require a separate input. This panel will require a keyboard encoder either bought, ripped from an old keyboard, or made with a custom pcb. Keyboard encoders are available from Hagstrom, Ultimarc ($40) and Vetra. Beyond Logic has all the information for rolling the code for your own keyboard controller which has some advantages. If you code your own then you can include functions for rotary switches (that include one-shots) and analog inputs. This control panel is meant to be a cheap way of controlling the machine before or in conjunction with an MPG. This panel can be made for less than $200 which is a lot cheaper than an MPG. One of the things this is missing is indicators/blinken lights
Read more

Power Supply for CNC

One of the first things that one needs to retrofit a Bridgeport Boss CNC machine is a power supply for the steppers. That is assuming that one has drives which I do in the form of Geckodrive G201s. The original Bridgeport power supply for the steppers put out 56 volts dc so most people use this voltage although some use 60 or even higher voltages. As far as current goes most people use 6-7 amps, 7 amps being the maximum that G201s will source. While researching stepper power supplies I found a great reference on Gecko's website. http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/Step_motor_basics.pdf This document not only shows how to wire the drives but gives a good example of a power supply with sample component values. Basically a power supply (unregulated) only needs a transformer putting out a desired voltage that is rectified by a full diode bridge and filtered by a big capacitor. To get 56vac you need un-rectified 39vac. (56 v /1.414 = 39.6 v) For a capacitor value C = (80000 u
Read more

Maintenance of a 30 Year Old CNC Milling Machine

Image
One of the big questions that I have about the new milling machine is maintenance and cleaning. Cleaning the ways I was almost tempted to get out the Foamy Engine Clean and spray down the machine and let all the sludge drip onto the floor. However I avoided cleaning anything that may contain grease or lube with any degreaser. On the painted surfaces I used a version of "Orange Clean" (which I could not find locally). It is called "Greased Lightning Blast" with orange oil. It made short work of most of the grease on the machine grey paint. The machine after a bit of cleaning. Anyone have a source for cans of enamel spray paint that matches? Way Wipers A quick Google search shows that many people want to sell you exotic and probably expensive way wipers. But on Ebay a couple sellers offer felt way wipers specially for Series 1 Bridgeport. I still haven't decided what to do about the wipers. It is suggested that they are changed out yearly so I am g
Read more