Infinite series and beyond

So I spent again too much time on the FiveD Gcode and Java Host. For some reason the FiveD does see the MIN stops but refuses to recognize the MAX. Debugging the code gives me no clue whatsoever. Yeah, disabled the max stops.

Aside from the Mac Java Host stil failing with "gnu.io.PortInUseException", the latest Java Host (compiled with NetBeans) does not communicate with the FiveD properly. Despite tweaking baudspeeds and what not. The first command is sent and the next read returns "o" or "k" but no "ok". Maybe this is related to the Java Serial stuff. But why does the very same environment work well with the old GCode / Java host combination?

It's time to give RepRap the Java Host a break. In the meantime things may mature. Chances are I get an idea for the solution. But right now the Mac Intel, Java, NetBeans, Arduino, C-code, G-code, Extrusion, Heater construction and so on is too much to chew. It spoils my temper. True though, I learned a lot.

So that's it for now.

ReplicatorG

As an alternative to the Java Host, having this NullPointerException condition, installed ReplicatorG and, together with Skeinforge, managed to perform a testdrive of M3-nut.stl!

First contact

The cartesian framework, electronics, firmware and host are now fully connected.

My findings
GCode_interpreter, SVN version #2540
- despite the comments in parameters.h the optostops seem to be inverting so #define ENDSTOPS_INVERTING 1
- for reasons not yet clear the X direction was reversed, hence #define INVERT_X_DIR 1

Java Host, SVN #2539
- testdrive works (move, nudge and HOME positioning of X, Y and Z)
- demo print (the extruder is not yet connected) with m3.stl from RepRap parts results in the same Java Error as two weeks ago (with SVN #2452): Production exception: java.lang.NullPointerException. Printing to .gcode file results in Production exception: java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: -1

Analyzing this with the NetBeans IDE. Also see RR software forum entry.

Java Host

Now the Z-belt is put into place it is Java Time :-)
Compiled the current SVN version (#2452) and tried to save .gcode from M3-Nut.stl as sample. Results in "Production exception: java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: -1". To be continued...
Before trying to debug this part I will start integrating the electronics with the hardware.

Java Host on OS X 10.4

Decided to dive into some Java tools as I could not get the Java Host SW running on OS X Tiger (10.4.11)
Follows a short list of the steps to get the Host SW compiled and running. Not yet 100%. The Console and 3D window show up though.

Tools used
. Netbeans IDE 6.1
. SVNX - to access the source code from the SVN repository
. Textwrangler - texteditor, handy for editing source-code

Creating the Project in Netbeans
1. install Import Eclipse plugin (select Eclips Project Importer in Tools> Plugin)
2. Import the RepRap Host sw (File> Import project> Eclipse project... and select the SVN folder in which you checked in or exported the code to)
3. Right-click RepRap project, select Properties and:
3.1 Add source /lib subdir to Sources
3.2 Add all .jar files in /lib to Libraries
3.3 Hint from gamedev.net to get Netbeans create a manifest file:
First, right click on the project and go into properties. Go to the run selection and add the main class. Click ok.
Right click on the project again and add an empty file with the name "manifest.mf".
Next, open the window menu and open the files window. Expand nbproject and open project.properties. Add "manifest.file=manifest.mf" to the project.properties file. Now, build your project and it should work!