MDF Rose Engine 2.0

Greek Key File Screen

Purpose: This screen allows the user to

Create Greek Key or Meander patterns. The Pattern page has six built-in patterns.
Perform activities based on the patterns outlined in a file. One such patterned activity is to cut pearls into the side of an object.

Patterns are created by moving the spindle, or one of two axes individually.

File

Used to create a Greek Key by reading values from a file.

Selecting the Filename text box will open a dropdown list of files located on the microSD card. Use the Up and Down arrows to traverse the file list. While the dropdown list is active, all other controls on the page are disabled. The dropdown list can be closed either by selecting a file, or by touching the Filename text box.

The details for this file are available at this link.

Pattern

Touch Pattern on the screen image to the right to see the details for this option.

Used to create a Greek Key using one of the built-in patterns (click on that to see this option).

Axial

Used to create a pattern axially

Radial

Used to create a pattern radially (circumferentially)

Actual

When selected, values in the file are used as the length of the move. Floating point numbers are valid.

Segments

When selected, values in the file are interpreted as a multiplier of the "Length" for the Z, X, and B axes and as a multiplier of the calculated segment size for the spindle. Floating point numbers are valid.

B Radius

This is used when using a Spherical Slide, and is a rotation about the Y axis.

This is a measure from the axis of rotation to the tip of the cutter.

The number entered has no specific units of measure, but is used to calculate the circumference of the circle representing the movement around the Y axis. That value gets used to set the movement according to the file's specified amount of movement.

This was introduced in v16. If your system is a prior version, it will not display this option.

Count

This determines the actual number of patterns to create. Setting it less than the Patterns/360 value will leave a space at the end of the pattern. Setting it larger will recut the same pattern. This is useful when you want to cut a pattern deeper.

Length

This specifies the length of the shortest Z or X axis segment. Each pattern will have segments which are a multiple of the shortest segment.

Patterns / 360

This specifies how many individual patterns will fit in 360 degree rotation of the spindle. This controls the length of the shortest spindle segment.

Command

This is the command from the file which is currently executing. This information, along with the next two items, are very useful when running a new design. It helps the user to monitor the progress as it happens. If something does not work as desired, then this shows you where the process is at that time so that it is easer know where to change the file as necessary.

Line #

This is the line # from the file which is currently executing.

Segment

This is the segment from the file which is currently executing.

Speed

The controls on the left and right side of the screen are for controlling the respective stepper motor's speed and acceleration.

To change the Max Speed, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen.

The slider is a red bar that can be moved up to increase the speed, or down to decrease it. The percentage shown in the bar (96% on the left, 81% on the right) shows the percentage of the Max Speed at which the stepper motor is set to run.

There is a slider for the stepper motor on each axis, and they operate independently.

The top number is the max speed for the respective axis' stepper motor. This is measured in pulses / second. The MDF Rose Engine 2.0 are set to 6,400 pulses / revolution, so a max speed of 1508 would equate to \[ \begin{align} MaxSpindleRPM & = \frac{1,508 \, \frac{\mathrm{pulses}}{\mathrm{sec}} \times \, 60 \, \frac{\mathrm{sec}}{\mathrm{min}}} {6,400 \, \frac{\mathrm{pulses}}{\mathrm{rev}} \times \, 9 \, \frac{\mathrm{motor \, revs}}{\mathrm{spindle \, revs}}} \\ & = 1.6 \, \mathrm{RPM} \end{align} \]

Thusly, at 96%,the spindle's speed is \[ \begin{align} SpindleRPM & = MaxSpindleRPM \times \, 0.96 \\ & = 1.5 \, \mathrm{RPM} \end{align} \]

Acceleration

The bottom number (1009 on the left; 7408 on the right) is the acceleration for the stepper motor.

To change this value, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen.

Limit Switches

Limit switches cannot be used with this function. They can only be used from the Main Screen or One Screen.

Specific Axis Notes

Axis	Comments
Spindle	Movement continues until the identified movement distance is completed, or the stop button (shown to the right) is used.
Z	Movement on this axis is the same as for the spindle.
X	Movement on this axis is the same as for the spindle.
B	The fields on this screen are used with the fields and settings on the B Axis Configuration screen to calculate how long to run the stepper motor to achieve the desired rotation. Movement on this axis is the same as for the spindle.