Check Size Button

Post any suggestions that you have for new features and enhancements for the Buildbotics Controller here.
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tmadrms
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:16 pm

Check Size Button

Post by tmadrms » Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:57 pm

Absolutely love the controller. One thing I’d love to see added is a “check size” button or code. My previous controller had this feature and I found it to be invaluable. It basically initiates a toolpath (x/y only) in a rectangle boxing in the highest coordinates in your program. More than a few times it helped me avoid collisions or incorrect code in advance of actually destroying material or my machine.

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Doug
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:56 pm

Re: Check Size Button

Post by Doug » Thu Dec 26, 2019 8:37 am

Thank you for your feedback and suggestion.

I think the BB Controller already provides this capability, but it is implemented differently.

When you load a gcode program into the BB Controller, it will automatically simulate the program. This simulation displays the cut paths, estimates the total time to execute the program, and if the machine is homed, determines whether the program would run outside the bounds that are defined for the machine. If it does run outside the bounds, the axis display will display the words 'UNDER', 'OVER', or 'BOTH' in the 'State' Field. If it fits, it will display 'HOMED'. It will display 'UNHOMED', if you have not homed them machine.

You need to set up the soft limits in the motor configuration to make this work.

Hope this helps.

tmadrms
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:16 pm

Re: Check Size Button

Post by tmadrms » Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:06 pm

Thanks Doug! I agree fully on the simulation part (which is super cool). What I'm suggesting is the x/y moves in real life to the outer boundaries so you can see if there are any clamping issues that will not be cleared appropriately. For example will my dust shoe clear the threaded rod of this particular clamp placement. Running this with the Z slightly raised above any potential collisions offers a great deal comfort that you'll have a successful cut. These are things that I don't know how to simulate in the software. To be fair this could just be my lack of skillset on the subject as I'm new to CAMotics.

This description might be better worded, sorry if I'm not articulating the ask very well.
Draws the bounding box of where the job is in XY space.

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Doug
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:56 pm

Re: Check Size Button

Post by Doug » Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:19 am

Now, I have a better understanding of what you are looking for. We don't currently have that capability. I added this to our list of change requests on github at https://github.com/buildbotics/bbctrl-f ... issues/235 .

It is a good idea, but we have a fairly long list of improvements that we are needed. So, I cannot say when we will get to it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

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