Version 1.4.00

This release (1.4.00) adds a new safety feature.

The stepper/servo output is limited to 100KHz (100,000 steps/second). In version 1.3.01 and earlier, it was possible to exceed this step rate, causing the leadscrew to fall behind. If this happened, the leadscrew could continue turning after the machine spindle stopped in order to make up the missed steps. This version detects this condition if it occurs and "fails safe" by stopping the leadscrew and displaying an error message.

CAUTION: This is experimental software. Machine tools can be dangerous. Use at your own risk.

Changes in this release:

• Detect if the max step rate of 100KHz is exceeded and stop the leadscrew with an error message
• Change the memory map to allow more space for additional thread and feed definitions

NOTE: This version of the firmware is compatible with Code Composer Studio version 9

Version 1.3.01

This release (1.3.01) adds new features.

CAUTION: This is experimental software. Machine tools can be dangerous. Use at your own risk.

Changes in this release:

• Enable power button to disable leadscrew drive and turn off display
• Add separate step ratios for feeding and threading to support lathes with a separate feed shaft and gearing
• Increase tachometer averaging period to 0.5 seconds to smooth out the display

Beta Version 1.2.00

This update addresses several problems reported by users and incorporates contributed fixes.

CAUTION: This is experimental software. Machine tools can be dangerous. Use at your own risk.

Changes in this release:

• Fix overflow that caused problems with large metric threads (thanks @hugosman65)
• Slow down the SPI bus from 250Kbps to 98Kbps
• Increase SPI timing delays slightly
• Aggressively filter bad key reads:
  • Require multiple, identical, consecutive reads before acting
  • Validate that only one key is pressed at a time (thanks @ngreenou)
  • Require all keys to be released between key presses
• Do not allow changes to mode or direction while the machine is in motion (thanks @C4fishfood)
• Add configuration option to ignore all keypresses when the machine is in motion (thanks @C4fishfood)

Experimental Version 1.1.02

This is a minor update to 1.1.00, released earlier today.

CAUTION: This is experimental software, intended for testing and early adopters.

This release adds:

• Setting in Configuration.h to switch to use the second encoder input (EQEP2) on J13

Note that this release also has no safety features present. Future releases will incorporate speed limits, protections against abrupt direction or speed changes, and failsafes to detect software errors that might otherwise cause unexpected rapid movements of the carriage.

Experimental Version 1.1.01

This is a minor update to 1.1.00, released earlier today.

CAUTION: This is experimental software, intended for testing and early adopters.

This release adds:

• Additional documentation comments in Configuration.h

Note that this release also has no safety features present. Future releases will incorporate speed limits, protections against abrupt direction or speed changes, and failsafes to detect software errors that might otherwise cause unexpected rapid movements of the carriage.

Experimental Version 1.1.00

This is the second experimental release, with software updates for the version 2.0/2.1 PC boards.

CAUTION: This is experimental software, intended for testing and early adopters.

NEW in this release:

• Add support for lathes with metric leadscrews
• Add sanity checks for common/expected Configuration errors
• Add configuration to select support for V1/V2 PC boards
• Add infrastructure for future EEPROM support (not yet active)
• Add new BSP threads (Thanks, Adam!)
• Fix ratio for 11.5TPI (Thanks, Adam!)

Some of the previous limitations are still present:

• No acceleration/deceleration when switching threads/feeds/direction
• Power/Set buttons do not do anything (yet)

Additional content in the repository:

• Add encoder simulator Arduino project
• Add PCB test fixture firmware
• Add documentation

Note that this release also has no safety features present. Future releases will incorporate speed limits, protections against abrupt direction or speed changes, and failsafes to detect software errors that might otherwise cause unexpected rapid movements of the carriage.

Experimental Version 1.0.03

This is the first experimental release, for those who want to start building their own electronic leadscrew without delay.

CAUTION: This is experimental software, intended for testing and early adopters.

The essential functions are all working:

• Metric and imperial feeds
• Metric and imperial threading
• LED&Key control panel
• Stepper and Servo motor support
• Configurable for different motors, encoders and leadscrew pitches

...but with a some limitations:

• No support for metric (mm pitch) leadscrews
• No acceleration/deceleration when switching threads/feeds/direction

Note that this release also has no safety features present. Future releases will incorporate speed limits, protections against abrupt direction or speed changes, and failsafes to detect software errors that might otherwise cause unexpected rapid movements of the carriage.