7i96 test program?

quick question, is there any quick way to test a 7i96 without creating a complete machine setup?  i know that @JT has a spiffy mesa configuration tool for flashine, but is there one for dry testing?

i am in the process of wiring a 7i96 and the control box and it would be nice to have a way that i could quickly plug it in and confirm that i have all the relays, sensors, motors and everything wired up correctly.  the actual machine is not yet built, so until then i just want to be able to verify my wiring and the mechanicals.  thanks!

ok that is what i kinda figured. i was hoping that there was just a stand alone app like jt's mesa config tool. that would be a nice addition to linuxCNC or just by itself to make testing easier! hint hint

Everyone sets their machine up a little differently. As tommy said just make a config to suit your machine. Doing it that way most of your config is done. Pcnconf can test the steppers.

Or you could modify the parallel port tester to test the inputs & outputs.

wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Parallel_Port_Tester

ive used pncconf for my other mesa machines, but ive never messed with mesaCT, i will have to look into that one.  been a min since ive had to set up a machine.  right now i just wanted to confirm my wiring, flip some relays and spin motors to test my drivers.  i got an INSANE deal on some NOS pepperl and fuchs sensors on ebay and this is the first time ive ever messed with inductive sensors so i wanted to confirm i got it wired into the board correctly before i had to start stringing wire through dragchains.  

Or you could modify the parallel port tester to test the inputs & outputs.

i really doubt that would work just because a 7i96 is an ethernet card, not parport. but i guess you are right that would at least put me 1/2 way towards having my config setup
 

You modify it to suit an Ethernet card, not all that hard.

cornholio wrote:

You modify it to suit an Ethernet card, not all that hard.

that is probably exactly the opposite of what i was trying to accomplish.  i was looking for a more plug and play solution that i could just run a quick couple of tests just to make sure my wiring is correct and that the mass of little colored wires ive been threading everywhere are in the right place before i actually try and hook up a 200+ lb gantry and move it around.  i think that tommy is right and ill just create a quick profile just to test things out.  seems easiest route, but @jt or @pcw could make our lives easier and make something like that!

A minimal hal file + halshow might do what you want:

#
# hostmot2 driver
loadrt hostmot2

# load low-level driver
loadrt hm2_eth board_ip=10.10.10.10 config=""

# Threads
loadrt threads
start

# functions
addf hm2_7i96s.0.read         thread1
addf hm2_7i96s.0.write        thread1

# peek and poke
loadusr halshow

You would launch this with something like:

halcmd -f minimal96s.hal

To clear the loaded drivers you would:

halrun -U

 

thank you, this is exactly what i needed! it got me where i needed to be and then once i confirmed my wiring was correct, i made a quick machine profile with pncconf to spin some motors and everything is working just fine. now onto building the machine...