Hi all! This recent Tormach blog post says:
Our machines’ software, including the PathPilot® interface, is accessible on GitHub, allowing customers and developers to explore, modify, and even contribute to our platform.
I can’t find this on GitHub. Where is it located?
Thanks!
The Tormach github is here: Tormach Inc. · GitHub
You also have full access to the source code running on your controller. Some folks go in and make modifications, though keep in mind that is a “you are on your own” kind of thing. You will want some form of version control as well to track any changes you make as new updates will wipe out customizations.
Here are a couple related forums posts that might be useful to you as well as examples:
Guidance on installing additional packages - PathPilot - Tormach Forums
A-Axis Scaling - PathPilot - Tormach Forums
Thanks! Where is the source code on the controller? I am quite comfortable with a Linux shell (my day job was software dev on Linux) but I cannot find any LinuxCNC source at all on the controller hard drive. I’m running PathPilot 2.14.1.
I see that Tormach has edited the blog post to remove the statement that PathPilot is accessible on GitHub. Thank you, that helps eliminate some confusion. Would Tormach be willing to clarify in the blog post that only robot software is available on GitHub? There are no CNC components on GitHub at all except for the EtherLab fork, which means that I as an open-source developer cannot “contribute to [the] platform” for CNC machines in any meaningful way. Thanks!
Edit: The statement that “If you look on GitHub, […] you can find firmware…” is also confusing. There are binary hex files which can be used to re-flash the microcontrollers, but there is no source code. Again, I can’t practically modify or contribute to these.
Assuming you have read the EULA, you will know that you can obtain the source code for the LinuxCNC version that PathPilot is built on from Tormach. See section 1.2 for details.
I’m sure by now that you have also browsed to ~/tmc after deciphering the startup sequence and seen the plethora of (mostly python) source code that makes up the Tormach GUI etc. that is layered on LinuxCNC. That is what Brandon is referring to.
Ahh, I was searching for C and C++ source, expecting to find the LinuxCNC source on the controller. I’ll take a look at the Python sources. Thanks!
I believe I skimmed the EULA during the PathPilot 2.x upgrade. Was there something in there about requesting GPL source by sending a check in the mail?
Yes, section 1.2 has the details.
Got it. For posterity, section 1.2 reads:
1.2 You may obtain the complete Corresponding Source (as defined the GPL) to the Tormach Software for a period of three (3) years after Tormach’s last shipment of the Tormach Software, which will be no earlier than 2017-08-01, by sending a money order or check for US$10.00 to:
GPL Compliance Division
Tormach Inc.
4009 Felland Rd, Suite 116
Madison, WI 53718Please write “Source Code for Machine Controller Software” in the memo line of your payment.
Please forgive me if my tone has shown my frustration. I love Tormach’s stance on right-to-repair, and the availability of repair parts and information was the single factor that made me seek out a Tormach machine over any other machine of its size. I was excited upon reading this blog post and expected to find the source code for the software running on my 770, then deeply disappointed to discover that none of the software running on my 770 is on GitHub. On the contrary, the requirement to mail a check appears intended to inconvenience and discourage the user from accessing the source code. This does not match the marketing blog statements that “If you look on GitHub, […] you find source code for our machines…” and “Our machines’ software is accessible on GitHub, allowing customers and developers to explore, modify, and even contribute to our platform.”
it is not meant to inconvenience you, rather it is SOP for GPL source code in general on devices. e.g. wifi routers. Not everything needs to be on Github, that is not a requirement to satisfy the GPL. The number of ppl who ask for the relevant linuxcnc source code is infinitesimal compared to the number of machine buyers. The great majority of users seem happy with the controller as provided.
You will be in for more frustration as the controller runs Mint 17, even the certificates are expired. Ditto with many of the related repositories. And the linuxcnc is an old version as well, before Joints were implemented in the main LinuxCNC. And then there is Glade, my hat is off to the PathPilot developers for getting the result they did from that ‘thing’ 