Release Notes & Legacy Files
CNC Fab
- Added three conditions in the Expr.txt file to trigger a warning if the probe has been activated during a program or a procedure.
- Changed the PWM frequency from 3kHz to 1kHz to improve the accuracy of the spindle speed control after a component modification.
- Added laser head support: new buttons and custom scripts.
- Latest version of PlanetCNC installed (2024-01-26).
- Added bottom buttons for quick actions: jog speed modification and precise manual stepping.
- Added state panel to display current feed, spindle speed (or laser intensity) and tool being used.
- Added the current tool and its offsets to Parameters.txt
- Changed syntax of Expr.txt for the enclosure loop.
- Minor visual modifications in PlanetCNC and Raspberry Pi OS.
- First product release with default plug-and-play configuration.
CNC Pro Mk2
- Added three conditions in the Expr.txt file to trigger a warning if the probe has been activated during a program or a procedure.
- Changed the PWM frequency from 3kHz to 1kHz to improve the accuracy of the spindle speed control after a component modification.
- Modified steps/unit configuration: decreased the driver's micro-stepping from 1/32 to 1/16 for better high-speed motion accuracy.
- Important note: if you import that profile on a machine purchased before 01.03.2024, you must modify the motor drivers' DIP switch configurations inside your control unit.
- Added laser head support: new buttons and custom scripts.
- Latest version of PlanetCNC installed (2024-01-26).
- Added bottom buttons for quick actions: jog speed modification and precise manual stepping.
- Added state panel to display current feed, spindle speed (or laser intensity) and tool being used.
- Added the current tool and its offsets to Parameters.txt
- Changed syntax of Expr.txt for the enclosure loop.
- Inverted pulse signal on the drivers to solve high-speed traverse movement issues.
- Minor visual modifications in PlanetCNC and Raspberry Pi OS.
- Visual modifications of the PlanetCNC interface, with an increase in the size of the jog arrows.
- Implementation of the return distance during homing to avoid the hysteresis problem on inductive sensors (homing after square gantry).
- Implementation of double homing per axis (more accurate).
- Modification of the tool length sensor height: 19.35mm -> 19.27mm.
- Modification of Blend parameters for compatibility with our new post-processor.
- Modified step pulse width for compatibility with the 2DM556S drivers: 5µs -> 7µs.
- Added script and configuration for the security enclosure.
- Modified PWM frequency to improve the accuracy of the VFD spindle speed control: 1200Hz -> 3000Hz.
- Added input/outputs connectors on the control unit.
- Improved travel distance on the X-axis by changing the position of the limit switches.
CNC Evo
- Added three conditions in the Expr.txt file to trigger a warning if the probe has been activated during a program or a procedure.
- Changed the PWM frequency from 3kHz to 1kHz to improve the accuracy of the spindle speed control after a component modification.
- Added laser head support: new buttons and custom scripts.
- Latest version of PlanetCNC installed (2024-01-26).
- Added bottom buttons for quick actions: jog speed modification and precise manual stepping.
- Added state panel to display current feed, spindle speed (or laser intensity) and tool being used.
- Added the current tool and its offsets to Parameters.txt
- Changed syntax of Expr.txt for the enclosure loop.
- Minor visual modifications in PlanetCNC and Raspberry Pi OS.
- Modified step pulse width for compatibility with the 2DM542-N drivers: 5µs -> 7µs.
- Inverted enable pin disabled for compatibility with the 2DM542-N drivers.
- Traverse speed increased to 20.000mm/min.
- Motor acceleration of the X and Y-axis increased to 350mm/s².
- Motor acceleration of the Z-axis decreased to 250mm/s².
- Visual modifications of the PlanetCNC interface, with an increase in the size of the jog arrows.
- Implementation of double homing per axis (more accurate).
- Modification of the tool length sensor height: 19.35mm -> 19.27mm.
- Modification of Blend parameters for compatibility with our new post-processor.
- Added input/outputs connectors on the control unit.
- Inverted enable pin enabled for compatibility with the new PoLabs motor drivers.
- Modified default motor directions to be compatible with other models.
- Implementation of the AMB DI spindles compatibility.
- Kickstarter machines batch.
- Reversed default motor directions.
CNC Pro Mk1
- Added 6th limit switch on the Y2-axis and square gantry feature.
- Modified GX12 connector and pin layout for DI spindle control.
- Modified VFD connections for external 5V relay.
- Adapted profile for the 1024x600 touchscreen.
- 5.2: added VFD spindle control with external 12v relay.
- 5.1: first product release with default plug-and-play configuration.
Raspberry Pi 4B Images
version 3.0 - 01/02/2024
- New PlanetCNC version: release 26/01/2024
- Updated packages used in version 2.0.
version 2.0 - 13/01/2023
- New Raspberry Pi OS: Debian 11 (bullseye).
- New PlanetCNC version: release 11/12/2022, notes available here.
- Updated packages used in version 1.0.
version 1.0 - 20/09/2021
- Modified display configuration for 1024x600 touchscreen.
sudo nano /boot/config.txt
max_usb_current=1
hdmi_force_hotplug=1
config_hdmi_boost=7
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=1
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_drive=1
display_rotate=0
hdmi_cvt 1024 600 60 6 0 0 0
- Enabled right-click for a touchscreen (long-press), following this tutorial.
- Auto start of the application PlanetCNC.
mkdir /home/pi/.config/autostart
nano /home/pi/.config/autostart/planetcnc.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=PlanetCNC
Exec=/home/pi/PlanetCNC/PlanetCNCRPi.exe
- Set up a local file sharing server using the package Samba.
- Installation of a virtual keyboard.
sudo apt install matchbox-keyboard
- Modified GPU allocation to 128 (Preferences -> Config Raspberry -> Performance -> GPU = 128)
- Modified Xorg keyboard configuration, allowing the remapping of certain keys of the interface unit that weren't recognised as shortcuts in PlanetCNC.
sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/us
partial alphanumeric_keys
xkb_symbols "mekanika" {
include "us(basic)"
name[Group1]= "English (US, Mekanika Keyboard Modifications)";
key <ESC> { [ x, X ] };
key <TAB> { [ y, Y ] };
key <AE12> { [ z, z ] };
key <AE10> { [ space, space ] };
key <KPDV> { [ g, G ] };
key <KPMU> { [ f, F ] };
key <PRSC> { [ F10, F10 ] };
};
sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/inet
#Go to the evdev variant and modify these two lines:
key <I148> { [ F12 ] };
key <I225> { [ F11 ] };
sudo nano /etc/default/keyboard
XKBVARIANT=mekanika