CAM software for machines with an EdingCNC controller
Understanding the EdingCNC user interface
EdingCNC is a Dutch manufacturer of CNC controllers. Eding manufactures both the hardware and the control software. Their products are used worldwide, for a wide variety of applications. Below you see a screenshot of the control software, simply called "CNC" (V4.04).It is important to realize that EdingCNC has been developed to resemble an industrial CNC controller (like Fanuc, Heidenhain, Haas,...), operated via a touch-screen.
Most other control software has been developed as Windows application. This means that the EdingCNC user interface is does not resemble most other control software. For instance to load an NC file you cannot use File > Open (like in any Windows application), instead you need to press function key F4 and then F2 to load the file.
The EdingCNC user interface. To load an NC file: first press F4, next F2 (function key or touch-screen button).
After pressing F4 the functions of the buttons will have changed, which is common use on touch-screens. This is normal behavior when you are used to working with industrial controllers, however, when you are used to Windows-style software it will take some time to get accustomed to this unfamiliar user interface.
Configuring laser engraving in EdingCNC
This paragraph applies only to DeskProto Version 8, as the previous DeskProto versions do not support laser engraving.One of the technologies that EdingCNC offers is laser engraving, of course only in case a laser module is present on the machine. DeskProto V8 can create toolpaths for laser engraving, and the V8 machine definition and postprocessor for Eding support that.
Laser settings for a EdingCNC machine and the EdingCNC postprocessor.
Click on an image for a larger version.
Click on an image for a larger version.
For the machine:
A difference in position between laser and spindle motor is handled by the EdingCNC software.
The laser power has been set in a range from 0 to 100, so you can set the S-value as a percentage.
For the postprocessor:
Custom commands are used both for Laser mode and for the Laser on/off switch. The commands include a comment, which makes them too long for the edit boxes to show the complete command line (only the end is shown). These are the complete commands:
For laser mode the Start command is
; Switch on the air assist{N}m8{N}; Use dynamic power control, minimum power 10%.{N}m12 s10
This command writes four lines to the G-code file ("{N}" means 'New line'). The m8 command will switch the air assist on, and the m12 command will set the laser to use dynamic power control, with a minimum of 10%.The laser mode End command is
; End laser engraving mode{N}m12{N}; Wait 5 sec before switching off the air assist{N}g4 p5{N}m9
The Laser on/off switch is the m11 command: an S-value above zero switches the laser on, S0 switches it off.You can find more information in the EdingCNC G-code reference.