NAME

       mdro - manual only Digital Read Out (DRO)

SYNOPSIS

       mdro [-v] [-p point_size] [-m] [-l file.var] [axes]

DESCRIPTION

       mdro  is a manual only DRO providing functionality similar to a traditional manual DRO. It is most useful
       for manual machines converted to CNC. It allows the user to manually control the machine while continuing
       to use the DRO scales on the axes.  The GUI can be sized to match the user's screen. It is mouse-only and
       touchscreen friendly.

OPTIONS

       These command line options are normally used when mdro is started in  a  HAL  file.  See  below  for  the
       corresponding .ini file options.

       v      Turn on verbose debug prints. -vv is even more verbose.

       p point_size
              Set  the  point size for the text in the application. This option controls the overall size of the
              window on the screen. Default is 20. Typical values range from 20 to 30.

       m      Set this if the DRO scales provide data scaled in millimeters.

       l file.var
              Load G54 through G57 coordinates from file.var.

       axes   This option is used to specify the names of the axes handled  by  the  program.   The  default  is
              "XYZ". A four axis mill would use "XYZA", and a lathe with a two axis DRO might use "XZ".

SCREEN CONFIGURATION

       The top of the screen includes a row for each axis specified in axes. Data in these rows are derived from
       signals  on  the  mdro.axis.n  pins that are instantiated when mdro is started. Each row includes buttons
       that allow the value to be be zeroed, to be halved or a new value to be entered. There is also  a  button
       that enables the index zero process for that axis.

       The  screen  includes  buttons  that allow the selection of one of four different coordinate systems. The
       machine coordinate system can also be selected though it cannot be changed.

       The screen includes a keypad that can be used with a mouse or a touch screen to enter coordinate data.

       Finally, buttons on the screen allow the selection of inch or mm data display.

USAGE

       mdro is normally started from the [DISPLAY] entry in a dedicated mdro.ini file.  The  INI  file  and  the
       associated HAL files should include the pins and signals that support the DRO scales. The HAL connections
       to mdro must be done in the POSTGUI_HALFILE referenced in the INI file.

       Other [DISPLAY] section options:

       GEOMETRY = axes
              Names the coordinate axes used in the program. For example,  "XYZ" for a 3 axis mill or "XZ" for a
              lathe, Default is "XYZ".

       MDRO_VAR_FILE = file.var
              Preload a VAR file. This is typically the VAR file used by the operational code.

       POINT_SIZE = n
              This  option sets the size of the font used which sets the overall size of the window. The default
              point size is 20, Typical sizes are 20 to 30.

       MM = 1 Set this if the DRO scales provide data scaled in millimeters.

EXAMPLES

       Using an example of "XYZA" for an axes argument, these pins will be created when mdro starts:

        mdro.axis.0
        mdro.axis.1
        mdro.axis.2
        mdro.axis.3
        mdro.index-enable.0
        mdro.index-enable.1
        mdro.index-enable.2
        mdro.index-enable.3

       In this example, the first row  will  be  labeled  "X"  and  will  show  the  data  associated  with  pin
       mdro.axis.0. In many configurations, mdro.axis.0 can be connected directly to x-pos-fb in the POSTGUI-HAL
       file. The index pins should be connected to the corresponding index-enable pins from the DRO.

       mdro  can  also  be started via a "loadusr" command in a HAL file for a trial. Here's an example of a sim
       setup:

        loadusr -W mdro -l sim.var XYZ
        net x-pos-fb  => mdro.axis.0
        net y-pos-fb  => mdro.axis.1
        net z-pos-fb  => mdro.axis.2

AUTHOR

       Robert Bond

COPYRIGHT

       Copyright © 2022 Robert Bond
       This is free software; see the source for copying  conditions.   There  is  NO  warranty;  not  even  for
       MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

LinuxCNC Documentation                             2022-04-01                                            MDRO(1)