Centroid have just released v4.20 of the CNC12 control software as a beta version. This hoovers up a few bug fixes, slickens up the Wizard interface and incorporates support for the newly released ETHER1616 expansion board.
The only bug I noticed in the previous release (4.18) was the unintended (slow) movement of the table when the wireless MPG was used to adjust the spindle speed. This was confirmed as a bug and appears to have been fixed in this update.
Installation:
The process is fairly simple and explained clearly by Keith in the setup video:
For upgrades from a previous version, the second method is best:
- Save a report from within the current, stable version.
- Rename the default directory (to save the whole file structure, config files etc) - I saved it as "cncm - 4.18 stable", consistent with my previous convention.
- Install the beta software from scratch. Download from here.
- Restore the report from the previous version (4.18).
- Start up the Wizard and select the option to use the std PLC code.
- Save the Wizard config and create a backup report.
Before:
After:
The experience:
Various restarts of the Acorn and the CNC12 software are required but the PC itself doesn't need any restarts.
Compared to previous experiences, this has been relatively (in fact, almost entirely) pain-free. Back in the days of 4.10 - 4.14, each "upgrade" would typically render either or both of the tool setter and touch probe useless, requiring several hours of buggerage to sort out.
I've done no serious level of testing but at first sight it seems to be functioning correctly:
- Homing
- Tool length offset auto setting (using touch off device)
- Part probing (using the Renishaw probe)
- MPG jogging, functions etc
- Didn't actually check the MPG "spindle / jogging interference" bug but they claim to have fixed it, so I expect it is.
I must bear in mind that this is beta software ie they are expecting to find and fix bugs before making a formal release. However, I'm not planning a "production" run any time soon. Besides, it supports the ETHER1616 expansion board*
The instructions / release notes / list of updates shows what has changed.
*more about this later....
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