MDF Rose Engine 2.0
Nextion Multiple Stepper Control User's Guide
Greek Key File Screen
File Details & Identifiers
Axes
File Formatting
  1. The file must be plain text (ASCII).

  2. The file needs to be saved on a microSD card using a separate computer. Because the SD Card library only supports the 8.3 or Short File Name convention, the file name must be a maximum 8 characters + a period + three-character extension (thus the 8.3); the name is not case sensitive. It's not necessary to have the extension, but the limit for the name is 8 characters when no extension is used. Multiple files can be loaded onto the microSD card for use on one or more work pieces as desired.

  3. Each command in the file must be on a separate line unless otherwise noted (e.g., H & V).

  4. Each line in the file must begin with an identifier letter and end with the length of the move, except for commands which don't have a length requirement (e.g., ; and E).
Identifiers

In all cases, the # symbol below is used as a multiplier or actual length.

Purpose Identifier Identifier Usage Syntax Notes Comments
General ; Comment
  1. Begins with a semi-colon, ";".
  2. May have up to 25 characters per comment line.
  3. Each comment line must have a least one additional character.
 There is no limit on the number of comment lines in a file.
E End of the instructions
  1. Begins with a capital "E".
 All files must have this as the last line in the file.
P# Pause in seconds.
  1. # must be a positive integer.
 This is often used to allow time for manually moving the cutter in or out.
Segment Counts WA# Set the axial size of the pattern.
  1. # is the count of axial segments in the pattern.
  2. # must be a positive integer.

This identifier is required for all axial patterns.

Prior to v21, this was A#.

WS# Set the radial size of the pattern.
  1. # is the count of vertical segments in the pattern.
  2. # must be a positive integer.

This identifier is required for all radial patterns.

Prior to v21, this was U# or D#.

Spindle Moves S#
S-# 		Rotate the spindle.
  1. A positive number specifies a spindle rotation in the counterclockwise/anticlockwise ("forward") direction.
  2. A negative number specifies a spindle rotation in the clockwise ("reverse") direction.
 Prior to v21, this was U# or D#.
C#
C-# 		Move about the C axis. The C axis is the same as the spindle; i.e., a rotation about the Z axis.
Axis Moves Based on Sync Screen Selection
A#
A-# 		Move the cutter along the axis selected on the Grk screen.
  1. A positive number specifies a move along the direction selected on the Grk screen.
  2. A negative number specifies a move in the opposite direction.
A
Moves 		I and O
Moves
B X
X Z
Z X

I and O are opposite moves from each other. Think of them as "In" or "Out".

Prior to v21, A# was R# or L#.

I#
O# 		Move the cutter along the opposite axis from what was selected on the Grk screen.
  1. # must be a positive integer.
Hardcoded Axis Selection
B#
B-# 		Move the cutter along the B axis.
  1. A positive number specifies a move (along the B axis) in a pattern in a clockwise manner.
  2. A positive number specifies a move (along the B axis) in a pattern in a counterclockwise/anticlockwise manner.

These hardcoded axis selections are used to move the cutter along the identified axis, regardless of what is selected on the Grk screen

When this key is used to set the direction, the positive and negative movements are as noted to the left.
 
This key makes the movements work in the opposite manner.
X#
X-# 		Move the cutter along the X axis.
  1. A positive number specifies a move (along the X axis) in a pattern away from the center line of the spindle.
  2. A negative number specifies a move (along the X axis) in a pattern towards from center line of the spindle.
Z#
Z-# 		Move the cutter along the Z axis.
  1. A positive number specifies a move (along the Z axis) in a pattern away from the spindle.
  2. A negative number specifies a move (along the Z axis) in a pattern towards from the spindle.
Coordinated Axis & Spindle Moves H#
H-#

V#
V-# 		Specifies a coordinated move with the spindle and the active axis.
  1. H & V must be on the same line (e.g., H#V#, H-#V#, H#V-#, or H-#V-#).
  • H is a horizontal move with the selected axis.
  • V is vertical move with the spindle.
  • Each move is a leg of a right triangle.
Page Calls These were introduced in v21. If your system is a prior version, they will not work.
QI# Execute the move specified on the Index page.
  1. # must be a positive integer.

Settings on the individual screens are used.

Axes should be set the same on the GRK page as they are on the called page.

I and O will usually be used in conjunction with the page moves. They take the axis setting on the GRK page and the page moves use the settings on that page.

QM# Execute the move specified on the Move page.
  1. # must be a positive integer.
QR# Execute the move specified on the Reciprocation Axis page.
  1. # must be a positive integer.
QS#
QS-# 		Execute the moves specified on the Synchronization and Index pages.
  1. Axis selected on the Grk page must match the axis set on Sync.
  2. # must be a positive integer.

The example file below ...

; Pattern 2a
; Set vertical segments to 3
WS3
; Set axial segments to 2
WA2
; Move the pattern 2 segments away from the spindle (right)
A2
; Move the pattern 2 segments down
S-2
; Move the pattern 1 segment towards the spindle (left)
A-1
; Move the pattern 1 segment up
S1
; Move the pattern 1 segment towards the spindle (left)
A-1
; Move the pattern 2 segments down
S-2
; End the pattern
E

... produces the movements seen below.

; Helical Path
;This pattern returns on same path to compensate for backlash.
;Creates helical path on Z axis or spiral on X axis.
;Cutter must be set to cut depth before starting.
WS1
WA1
;Do the path.
QS-1
QS1
;Move cutter away from workpiece.
O1
;Index to next start position.
QI1
;Move cutter into the workpiece
I1
E

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