Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => Galil => Topic started by: jorgepease on September 19, 2006, 03:08:36 PM

Title: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: jorgepease on September 19, 2006, 03:08:36 PM
I heard Mach3 was going to be able to interface with Galil products.

If so, is there an approximate time frame. I am trying to source
components. If we are talking 6 months away, I will go a different
route but if it's around the corner, I will work in this direction.

Thanks,

Jorge
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on September 20, 2006, 10:28:09 PM
Good news :) we have started working on it and we hope to have it working in a few weeks...

After that I will be able to tell you more about how it works...

Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: jorgepease on September 20, 2006, 11:11:45 PM
Sweet music to my ears.

I like their products, they explain things well, support is great

mach3 with Galil is going to be a powerful combo ;D
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on October 12, 2006, 11:10:23 PM
I have a DMC-2180 sitting around waiting ;D

It's gana be ethernet communication correct?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on October 14, 2006, 07:58:34 PM
Art is working on doing a 2120 and i am doing an 1880 (I think)
:)

So you can do both :)
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on October 15, 2006, 01:47:32 PM
So mach will be like Cam$oft  -$  :o

Is it as complex making Mach work with Galil as it is with the G100?  Or is it more complex? the programming part on your side.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: chad on October 15, 2006, 02:32:55 PM
So do those cards have step and Dir out or they only analog ? 


Chad
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on October 15, 2006, 08:38:40 PM
Chad,

They have both and then some......


Brian,

If you need some one to test drive the software, I'll help with what I can.


Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on November 09, 2006, 02:14:32 PM
So I have run the Galil on the large mill under mach3 :) there are little problems but for the most part it is working very well! I Have it doing CV at about 400IPM on a mill that is 40,000 LB :) I have a video that I will send to Benny to convert to something that you all can read. WE have to get IO finished, homing, toolchanger and spindle. I would like to make it so that others can do there own toolchangers by making a new Toolchange plug in that you can just type the I/O in the order that it needs to happen... There will be more to come when I get to it :)


Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: chad on November 09, 2006, 05:47:47 PM
Cool!  Glad to hear it is getting there.

Question, Say i wanted to do 5 axis kinematics, it that something the co-processor on the Galil handles or is that still mach math?

Chad
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Hood on November 10, 2006, 04:22:23 PM
Brian will this toolchanger plugin only be applicable to galil? If not it sounds perfect for my lathe retro.(http://forums.pcper.com/images/smilies/extras/w00t.gif)
Hood
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on November 10, 2006, 05:35:22 PM
What I am thinking about doing will work for any Card that you have (even the Printer port)

Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Hood on November 10, 2006, 05:43:29 PM
Excellent :)

Hood
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on November 12, 2006, 02:34:38 PM
Brian,

Did you get a chance to send the video, to get it up on the site?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on November 12, 2006, 07:16:29 PM
The video is a bit big at 12 MB but I think I am going to put it on the FTP server.. shoudl be up in a few
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: chad on November 13, 2006, 03:30:51 AM
Boy Brian, that thing is a monster. Is that your shop?

ChAD

Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on November 13, 2006, 07:42:10 AM
It is at that shop that I have been running for the University of Maine :) I am getting done there but wanted to have that all up and running for them before I headed out the door...
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on November 14, 2006, 08:49:16 PM
My Bridgeport BTC will like a Galil moving it around:)

Nice work Brian!!!!!!



Here is a project that I finished recently:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27147
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: vytass on November 21, 2006, 12:45:57 PM
Any news  about Mach + Galil econo series DMC (eg: DMC1842). Its look like the same as DMC1880 (programing, commands etc)? But cheaper.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on November 26, 2006, 11:44:41 AM
Should work... :)
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Genguy on December 10, 2006, 02:43:43 PM
Hi everyone!

I am also looking for a Galil solution. ;D
I downloaded Mach3 R2.0.024 and the Galil IO plugin and am getting these errors:

(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/2807/macherrorpx3.jpg)
(http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/1738/galilerrorvr3.jpg)

Am I missing something?
I am hoping to get this working on a DMC1240.
If I can get Gcode to run on it, I will gladly purchase the software.



Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: DennisCNC on December 21, 2006, 10:30:22 PM
^^Why does it say mach4?  The Galil plugin is for Mach3.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on December 21, 2006, 10:49:02 PM
GenGuy, download the term software form Galil to check that you have the galil registerd in the system. once you have it set up and running in there software I will send you the newest plugin that I am working with :)

I just got the spindle working, homing and limits working! I should be able to do a test cut tomorrow  ;D
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Genguy on December 23, 2006, 03:42:24 PM
GenGuy, download the term software form Galil to check that you have the galil registerd in the system. once you have it set up and running in there software I will send you the newest plugin that I am working with :)
Excellent, thanks Brian. I have sent an e-mail to you.
I installed the galil driver "dmcdriverdll02" and the plugin initializes correctly now.
As soon as I get a chance I'll connect to the controller and see if I can get it work.
Thanks for all your efforts! :)

Update Jan. 17, 2007:
I never did get this connected to the control. Not through any fault of the software though.
The Galil card is buried under a PC104 computer and uses the PC104 ISA interface to communicate, so I can't connect to the controller directly. It turns out that the PC104 computer doesn't come close to the requirments to run Mach3 directly on it. The machine needs to retain it's current functions so I can't risk further experiments with it. So my fun with this Galil has come to an end for now.

Thanks again Brian for your help. :)

Best of luck to all those trying to tame a Galil!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on January 06, 2007, 07:48:02 AM
Hi Brian, I have my HNC hooked up to the Galil 2130.  I noticed the date on your last post, and wondered if you have a new plugin for mach3?
I have my lathe jogging around and the limits seem to work as they should, I do have a strange symtom when i program a g1 or whatever, the move makes a series of three (always three) accells..decells, then continues with the move normally...I have tuned my drives with Galil wdsk software, and they seem perfect when jogging..any Ideas?...same on x, and z.   Also, I was wondering what would be the best way to control the turret on the HNC, would you still use a plc?...My Galil has the additional 64 I/O...would a mach3 macro work?...anyway, thoughts please...did you say homeing was working?  thanks tons, If you want any pics of my hnc project, let me know...I think everthing except the monitor/keyboard will fit in the cab on the left of the machine!

System is:
Hardinge HNC
Original Brush servos
Advanced Motion Controls servo amps (analog)
automation direct 2500ppr dif encoders
Galil 2130 3axis controller (10baset ethernet)
Galil icm 2900 breakout
Mach3, Galil plugin
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on January 06, 2007, 09:22:14 AM
Send me a PM off list with your phone number and I will send you back a new plugin that should fix that problem... I will also tell you how to set the setting that I am about to add :)
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Chaoticone on January 06, 2007, 08:07:23 PM
Roodesign,
     Post some pictures in the show and tell, your machine section please. Control cabinet and all.


Brett
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Belli on January 21, 2007, 05:13:39 AM
Hi Brian,

I am very pleased someone has taken the bull by the horns! ;D  I have a mill running a DMC1840 with JraCo software, the best words I can use to describe the software is 'functional'. I will try your plugin as soon as I have upgraded the PC in the machine (currently P2) and let you know how it goes. The JraCo software pre-processes the file to convert to the galil commands, takes about 3mins per 1000 lines of Gcode, if you make a mistake or have to restart it reprocesses the file everytime, very annoying! :(

Has an MPG been implemented with this plugin yet, this is a most useful feature.
Regards
Greg

www.cncdirect.co.za
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on January 23, 2007, 07:43:11 AM
Well Greg... I hope to have the Galil plugin working full on in a few more weeks but there is just to much work at this time :( On the other hand it will move a mill and the version that I have will home and run the spindle too!!! I need to add in softlimits and make that active in Jog mode :) and there is a bit of work that needs to be done to the inputs.

The funny part is that we are converting commands real time and at a rate of a point every .004 sec... I have no idea how they got it to work so slow!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: drew on January 24, 2007, 12:32:19 PM
Will a usb Galil work with this plug in something like  dmc2030 ?
Thanks Drew

roodesign :
"Also, I was wondering what would be the best way to control the turret on the HNC, would you still use a plc?...My Galil has the additional 64 I/O...would a mach3 macro work?...anyway, thoughts please"
I have A HNC that I ran with an AHHA controll you should be able to Index , look for the 4 bits to match tool requested , engage the Lock , turn Index off , check LS for turret to be down , and release lock. Or you can single step the turret by Lock on, dwell .2 sec, Index on, dwell .5sec, Index off, check turret down, lock off. The lock or stop is of some type of cushion that will not catch the current tool but on the next. You can use a limit/prox switch, orig encoder or manual index to find say tool 8 (only time bit 4 active) at start up then keep track of turret position by var. This is much slower than checking the encoder on the fly but can be used with 3 fewer inputs or for Hnc with dead turret encoders.

Drew
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Belli on January 24, 2007, 02:51:41 PM
Hi Drew,

It's my understanding that Barry's plugin works with the 1800's (PCI) and that Art is busy with the 2100's (Ethernet) I don't think anyone is busy with a USB version.

Greg
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on January 24, 2007, 03:14:54 PM
Hi there, I think greg is right, 21xx 22xx...(ethernet), pci ones work with mach3 20xx etc do not....

thanks for the turret control info....I am getting closer to trying that, the plugin is not quite there for the I/O but sounds like a pretty simply macro will work . the Galil that I have (2130) has 8 normal uncomitted ins and outs +64 extra I/O that can be ins or outs...so no worries about not enough....

right now I am using 12 outputs

vfd fwd
vfd rev
brake
clutch high
clutch low
coolant
vertical slide
collet open
collet closed
parts catcher
turret index
turret stop


inputs are as follows: 8
turret encoder (4)
turret down
spindle lock
main pressure
collet closed (pressure)

any pushbuttons  and indicators I may want on the control.....

as I understand it my third axis will control the 0-10v that my vfd needs for speed control...I also have mounted a encoder on the spindle
that Brian says should be able to work with mach3 for threading....good luck, Roo
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: drew on January 25, 2007, 11:53:16 AM
Don't forget your vertical slide down LS (input).
Plus with all that IO you can check you vfd for up to speed and falt/error.
I also use a spindle enable ssr(monintary on by macro) to a mechanial relay that self latches this pulls in the motor starter that you don't need with a VFD. E-Stop releases the self latching relay and the motor starter so the spindle won't turn till the ssr resets the self latching relay.
Drew
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: drew on January 25, 2007, 11:58:54 AM
How big of a job would it be to recode a enet plugin to use usb? I would think that once you got the communication setup that most of the other code for axis and IO would be the same as I'm almost positive the enet and usb use the same command set. But I know ZERO about mach3 plugin's. Although I'm sure timming will play a role here too.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on January 25, 2007, 02:06:43 PM
If there dll will hookup and find a usb version it should work... But I have no idea if it will or not so please don't buy one to test!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Lowrange_1 on March 03, 2007, 03:44:11 PM
Brian,

I just bought and installed Mach3 along with the Galil plugin.  Mach3 is ver R2.0.050 and the Galil plugin is ver .1a.  This is in a Dell P4 1GHz with 1G ram.  The Galil hardware is a DMC-1840 (PCI bus 4 axis) driving AMC analog (+/- 10V command) servo amps.

I had two Galil registry entries originally, and Art told me the Galil plugin would use only the first entry.  I deleted the unnecessary entry (for other TCP/IP remote I/O hardware), and that got the driver to load and motors moving.

I can now get the motors to run using Mach3, but the position displays in Mach3 show no motion.  If I change the display to "distance to go", they do show motion.  There is always a message "status 21 begin not valid while running" displayed either for MDI moves or when running a program.  Also, feed override has no effect.  Programmed feedrate does seem to work.

I have config'd the Galil plugin options for motor type as servo.  I have no clue what the other settings do.

I have no idea how to set ports & pins for use with the Galil plugin, or any other necessary I/O settings necessary to work with the Galil board.  None of the guesses I have tried have any effect on the problem.  Is there any documentation available to show any of the settings for use with the Galil plugin?  I am familiar with the Galil DMC-*********X programming language, and the card works perfectly with Galil's Smarterm program.

What am I missing here?

I'm really anxious to get this system working.  I have already spent many, many hours trying to figure out the correct settings without much luck. 

Thanks in advance for any clues you can share...

Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on March 03, 2007, 04:14:21 PM
Hi Lowrange, I thought I would chime in a little....
I can't help you with the axis issues...I have my settings as follows....

motor tuning window....

steps per...whatever your encoders are....my case 50,000 per inch...
I have about 70 max ipm and acell at about 35

plugin config....I did not check use other than actual feedback for display...
I did check use programmed feedrate....

the two other commands which are dmc commands, I believe,   are about decelaration..I have mine set at 1.3, and 75,000...

ports and pins:

galil outputs are port 1 pins 1-8 and inputs are port1 pins 1-8 (I have the extended I/o on my controller and have not been able to get those to work yet...note that as of yet things like the spindle setup under ports and pins will only let you use the first 6 inputs....I made buttons in mach for the outputs that are above 6, in my case spindle fwd and reverse...all of the limits, and inputs and outputs work...that being said, my galil is a 2130 ethernet not pci,

hope some of this info helps....I could not get an accuracy issue figured out till I played with the decell settings in the plugin config...also, if I change the plugin settings sometimes, the galil gets messed up and wont move..I go to smartterm and reset the controller....(not master reset!) that cures that...let me know if I can help any...

Roo Trimble, Roodesign :)
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Lowrange_1 on March 03, 2007, 04:33:25 PM
Thanks Roo,

I'll give these clues a try.  What is your address setting for port 1?  I have tried changing mine to the base address of my Galil card, but it seems to have no effect...

Thanks!

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on March 04, 2007, 07:21:49 PM
Hi there, not at the machine at present, but I think that Brian said that you ignore all that stuff about ports when using a galil...at least for the ethernet one....I am guessing pci too...I do not have any of that stuff checked, or the p-port driver loaded...hope that helps...Roo
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Lowrange_1 on March 04, 2007, 08:05:18 PM
Thanks again for your help Roo.

Setting the Galil plugin config move settings "Vetor Time Const" to 1.3 and "VectorDeceleration" to 75000 did help with the motor response.  The motor would overshoot badly with these at the defaults, and jogging had severe overshoot (3-4 seconds extra) if the jog buttons were held for more than about .5 second.  I found that a setting for "VectorDeceleration" of 250000 actually seems to work the best.

These changes did make me notice another problem - the setting for "VectorDeceleration" will not stay set.  It reverts to a setting of "1" every time I exit Mach3 and then reopen Mach3.  The "Vetor Time Const" setting does stay as I set it, but not "VectorDeceleration".

This has no effect on any of the issues I mentioned before - primarily no display of motion in position displays in Mach3.

All my original problems remain.

I still need help...

Thank you,
Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: howling60 on April 18, 2007, 10:36:16 AM
I just wanted to say that I am the one who originally did the camsoft retro on that 40,000lb mill brian has been using as the M3/Galil test subject, it took me over a year of almost constant work, to get camsoft to even begin to move remotely well... then they told me i *couldn't use the keyboard for jogging.. because that's a poor-man's jogging routine*...  i went to see brian & the mill a couple months back.. and.. WOW...  i had despaired of ever seeing that thing move... let alone move smoothly!

just wanted to put a big *thumbs up* out to brian & art... now i just wish i were still working with that machine :(

-Nate
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: efrem on April 22, 2007, 10:54:17 PM
I'm trying to make work my galil 2140 and it's a real pain. The controller disconnect every time, forget it's ip and I got the error 15 when I try to update the firmware by ethernet ... When mach3 start with the plugin, it write that the answer is too long ... Am I the only one that got thoses troubles or it's normal ?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on April 23, 2007, 08:11:06 AM
What do you have for a network that you are hooking the device to? Also what is the IP range that you are using?

Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: efrem on April 23, 2007, 06:09:33 PM
I have a rooter only for my pc and the galil. My ip is 192.168.1.100 and the galil 192.168.1.150. The router is not on the dhcp mode.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on April 23, 2007, 07:50:20 PM
Try setting the IP to 192.168.100.110 and see if it will work better...
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on April 28, 2007, 08:58:37 PM
HI there, I thought I would chime in a little for efrem....first, you can only upgrade the firmware if you are connected via serial port...will not work with ethernet....
also, you probably have a dip switch set on you 2140 that whenset to "on" , will perform a "master reset" every time that you power on...among many other variables, the master reset clears your ethernet hookup...it also clears all servo tuning, i/o setups etc...that setting should not be used in normal operation....

as far as hooking up the serial port...you need what they call a "straight through" serial cable, not a "null modem" cable....

the galil smartterm should guide you through hooking up the network, I have done it with a router, and with a "crossover" cable with no router...easier with the router...I think with the crossover you have to turn off the auto adress assigner thing in windows...and pick a address....

hope some of this helps I had fun finding the answers to both of those questions...not!

Roo
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: efrem on April 29, 2007, 06:48:32 PM
Thanks roodesign,
 
I upgraded the fimware with the serial cable and now it works. My problem now is that I can connect ( I have done all the steps in the help file ) by ethernet but the connection is very very slow, ureliable and I lost 50 to 75% of the ping that I send to the controller. I can connect 1 time out of 10 and I got a lot of timeout errors.  I have set the ip by the serial cable and the connection by ethernet still unusable. How can I solve that ?

My other question is; do I need to set my servo drives in velocity or torque mode ?

Also, when I try to move the motor in the terminal, it say that my motors are disable. How can I enable them ?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: efrem on April 29, 2007, 07:29:52 PM
I forgot, it's possible to get motion by the serial connection and does mach3 works with this connection ?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on April 29, 2007, 07:32:20 PM
HI there....

I don't know what to say about you ethernet connection...bad cable,  noise,   bad nic or router?   lots of things to try....(can you try with a diff router, puter, or crossover cable?

I think that Galil tells you to use torque mode for standard analog servo amps (+ - 10v input)

I highly reccomend galil's wdsk software for tuning servo's etc...it's got a page that has a list of all the parameters like motor disable etc etc etc...much easier than typing in commands in the smartterm  it's $200 or so, but it was worth it for me..

there is a command reference that you can download at the galil sight that tells all the comands...your drives might be disabling because you have the polarity set wrong between the motor and the encoder, ...and the stop on error is set....lots of things to try...again!!!

the best of luck, hope you have a bad cable, or router, or something, and not your galil....what machine are you controlling?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: efrem on April 29, 2007, 07:53:04 PM
I try to retrofit a Jafo milling.

I got a program called DMC Setup and it seems to be like your wdsk , it's visual and you can change all the variable al the screen without typing them.

Do you know if I can get motion from the serial cable ? , if yes, I wont waste my time over the ethernet. Serial communication seems to be very fast !

Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on April 29, 2007, 08:02:26 PM
hi there, I don't know for sure, but mach folks have said that only the ethernet connection works....you could try it though...?
I think that you can do direct galil programing on the serial connection no problem....but I think you are out of luck with mach 3...

good luck....
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on April 29, 2007, 09:51:36 PM
Hello,
You need to get the ethernet connection fixed... serial is just to slow (Yes we have tested it and it will lock up your system). I think you have a network problem and should look into a crossover cable... test with that and see if that fixes the ping problem.

Thanks
Brian
 
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Tarak on July 18, 2007, 08:20:58 PM
Hi, I've got a sytem using a Galil DMC 2168 Controller card (Network connection) and I'm currently using Camsoft with it.
I'm looking to change the system to Mach for it's user friendly interface (I'm biased because I've installed it on 2 machines so far).
I was hoping to use the existing controller card just for easier connection, is this possible?
How does Mach communicate with the network connection, I thought it could only use the printer port?
Also is the DMC 2168 compatible?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: roodesign on July 18, 2007, 08:49:56 PM
Hi there, I am using the galil 2130 ethernet controller...it works...I looked on the galil site, I could not find a 2168 you sure it's not a 2163?  mach3 has a plugin that controls ethernet and pci galil's...the plugin is almost done but still a bit of a work in progress...at least for the lathe use that I have for it....the 21XX all have 10speed ethernet that is fine for this use....hope that helps....
Roo Trimble :)
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Tarak on July 18, 2007, 08:56:01 PM
Hi Roo,
         Sorry for the typo, I had another look it's a DMC 2162.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: JimmyC on October 05, 2007, 07:40:58 PM
Hi Brian,

If I use the outer wheel of the shuttle with the jog mode set to step,  the movement will not stop when the wheel is released. It works great if jog is set to continuous, but goofs up if set to step. This problem arises when running the Galil plugin, no problem in PP operation. Thanks for all you do,
Jim
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: JimmyC on October 05, 2007, 07:44:37 PM
Hi Art/Brian,

If I use the outer wheel of the shuttle with the jog mode set to step,  the movement will not stop when the wheel is released. It works great if jog is set to continuous, but goofs up if set to step. This problem arises when running the Galil plugin, no problem in PP operation. Thanks for all you do,
Jim
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: JimmyC on October 05, 2007, 08:13:24 PM
Hi Brian,

Will you be able to do a performance test for the Galil stuff? I would like to know how it does in the small segment 3d moves, and how it compares to the other options. It appears that the PP is still the best system in terms of performance? Thanks,
Jim C.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: JimmyC on October 07, 2007, 12:58:42 AM
Hi Brian,   I have some stange things going on with the plugin.  With no program running if I click the spindle on, the dwell light starts to flash and the spindle button starts to flash, the dwell does not stop after the one second delay that is set,  if I click the spindle off, it goes off (button stops flashing) but the dwell is still on,  if I attempt to restart the spindle nothing happens, but the dwell light is still flashing.    Now if I run a program, I can turn the spindle on and off with no trouble, but the dwell never flashes.  Are these plugin bugs or because my system is not set up correctly?  using a DMC-2140 over TCP, Mach3  V2.51 latest plugin. Thanks for the help,
Jim

Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: usfwalden on March 07, 2008, 05:10:53 PM
Hello,

What state is the Galil DMC over ethernet plug-in in?


I'm  setting up (finally charging hard on this) a large mill to run with mach mill and need to make some decisions that are all held up on my decision of plug-in route to go.  If anyone cares to look, the thread on my particular machine is here:  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=3990.new#new

I really want a stable set up that I can run from a laptop so I've been looking at usb/ethernet connections to something that does the timing externally.  I also have a lot of limit and home switches and relay controlled devices so a parallel port really doesn't have the IO.   I also have a large camco rotary table I am adding to the machine so being able to use higher count encoders with indexes will be very helpful.  For all those reasons a galil controller over ethernet is really looking good if the plug-in is fully functional.

What about contact probing and tool setting?  I'd like to use the tp1000 probe with this.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on March 08, 2008, 09:47:31 AM
If you would like to probe I would stay away from the Galil at this time... I have boards and so on on the way so I can test the Galil on the new router that I have here but I have no idea how long it is going to take me to get this all working :( I need about 3 more of me to keep up with the work load :(

I think the best thing to do at this time is to make a machine that will run from a desktop computer and change it over to a Smooth stepper as soon as they are out ;)

Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: usfwalden on March 13, 2008, 07:18:09 PM
Too late, I have a galil 2160 sitting on my Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) table.


If you would like to probe I would stay away from the Galil at this time... I have boards and so on on the way so I can test the Galil on the new router that I have here but I have no idea how long it is going to take me to get this all working :( I need about 3 more of me to keep up with the work load :(

I think the best thing to do at this time is to make a machine that will run from a desktop computer and change it over to a Smooth stepper as soon as they are out ;)

Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: usfwalden on March 17, 2008, 08:37:53 PM
and the 19540 has been ordered....


What else might I run into besides probing not working?  Is there a particular challenge with the architecture for probing and toolsetting to work with mach?  Is that something being worked on or should I persue other avenues of connecting the probe?  I do have a cardbus serial card I can use on the laptop if needs be.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: usfwalden on March 24, 2008, 01:43:05 PM
Brian,

Are you the one developing the galil plug in?  Even if it's not currently being worked on it would be helpful to know what isn't working and what the hurdles are to getting those features working and come up with alternative methods of getting them working either temporarily or permanently.

Like if I can do probing and tool setting by hooking a probe up through serial modbus or something like that.  I could do that.  I just need some direction from someone who knows how the plugin and mach work.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: small_rcer on April 07, 2008, 11:33:30 AM
Good day:

I too would like to know the current status on the Galil plugin.  Am looking at the DMC-1836 3 axis or DMC-1846 4-axis PCI  card for a vertical turret lathe.  The VTL has shaft encoders on the ballscrews.  Will Mach3 accept the output from the encoders via the Galil card and display that on the DRO, and use it for position information, rather than the predicted position?

In other words if an axis has incremental shaft encoders on the axis itself rather than on the servo motor, does Mach 3 use that position information for determining accels, decels and other motion, or does Mach 3 not use this, and instead display the "estimated" or predicted position based on motion commands sent to the Galil?

The Galil card will "close the loop" if the feedback from the encoder on the actual axis is used by Mach via the Galil card.

Another question is the servo motors themselves have encoders to tell the servo drives that the motor has moved, the servo drive will generate a fault signal if the motor does not turn, and can generate pulses as the motor turns; can Mach 3 accept this 2nd encoder input as well?  The Galil can accept 2 encoder inputs per axis I believe.  The difference between the 2 could be used as the backlash determining value. 

In the proposed application, the servo motor is connected by a 21.5 to 1 gearbox, to the ballscrew.  There is a small amount of backlash in this motor to ballscrew drivetrain.  That is the reason for the encoders on the ballscrews.

To re-iterate, an update on the Galil plugin and its capabilities would be very timely.

Thanks

Jim H
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Jeff_Birt on April 08, 2008, 09:34:05 AM
The encoder on the servo is the 'main' encoder. The Galil uses this to control to motor, and the servo control is done on the Galil card, Mach just tells it where to go and monitors the encoder readings. The encoders on your ballscrews are 'auxiliary' encoders, Mach can display the reading from the auxiliary encoders, but I'm not sure how the Galil makes use of them, many controls use aux encoders to 'double check' positional accuracy.  (I have an 1842 that does not have aux encoder capability). If you know you have backlash it's best to remedy it mechanically as much as possible, fancy controls can help, but not work miracles.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on April 10, 2008, 07:48:44 AM
I am using a 2183 on a mill and having problems with the 4th axis. I can jog it around no problem using OEMButtons 313 (Jog A+) & 314 (Jog A-) DRO seems right on. The problem occurs when I try to MDI or program a negative move, the U axis then heads positive (I am using the axis in a linear fashion.). From Z0 U0 I programed a -1" Z movement along with the U -1" and the Z moved real slow while the U moved at feedrate in the positive direction. There appears to be an endpoint somewhere but I was going to run out of U travel before the Z made it to -1".

I MDI'ed a series of positive moves U1, U2, U3, etc.., always right on. I have tried both the lockdown (R2.63) and latest (R3.039) versions of Mach3 and the latest Galil plugin (3.00.00).

Thanks, Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on April 12, 2008, 11:20:51 AM
I found the [Rot 360 Rollover] setting being checked on the general config page is affective this axis, although it is not setup as angular. A move from U2 to U1 that stopped at U361 led me there.

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: usfwalden on May 15, 2008, 09:26:09 PM
Anybody have any idea why a dmc-2160 would report back as a dmc-2120?  I'm in that situation now.  I just installed a used dmc-2160 with a new amp-19540 and the control is reporting the correct serial number for the 2160 but only 2 axis of information and labeled as a dmc-2120 in both smart term and galil tools lite.  Even though I purchased everything else new and would have been happy to send it in for service if that's what it needed Galil is refusing to give me technical support because the dmc-2160 is used.  I'm disgusted with the company and looking for a new control supplier now but I'd still like to get this one working correctly.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on May 15, 2008, 10:43:40 PM
If You use Galil Smartterm and issue TP. what do You get as a return? Also have You got the correct number of sip resistor packs installed in the sockets on the board? if You get a position report for more than 2 axes, then You are probably fine. If You have some missing resistor packs, then You have a real problem. Please get back to me, and I'll try to help.
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: yahuie on May 30, 2008, 08:19:39 PM
I've started a Galil installation and don't know what to do next. 
I have the galil talking to mach and can make the dros move (which seems wierd since I don't have any motors or encoders hooked up to it yet).
After trying to find all the Galil related posts, it seems like I should use the Galil tools to tune the motors. 
I have no idea how to configure the i/o using the Galil plugin? 

Is there a step-by-step tutorial type thing somewhere? 

Thanks,

Bill
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on June 13, 2008, 05:38:55 PM
Bill,

When using servo motors you need to tune them first with the Galil software. Burn these settings into the card memory or they will return to the default values on power up. Install and configure the plugin next.

In the configure plugin Uncheck Use Ref position not Encoder for position feedback otherwise it will respond like PP Mach.

The Home, Limits and 8 I/O per 4 axis are setup automatically. The plugin config deals with extended I/O. Home and Limits only have to be enabled to work. The I/O is on Port#1, Pin# = the I or O number on the Galil.

It would be nice to have a Galil section to separate some of these post, this thread is 8 pages now!

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 12:20:00 PM
The I/O is on Port#1, Pin# = the I or O number on the Galil.
Does this stand true with all galil pins? for the motors and endcoders???

cause I am lost? I have 6 wire encoders plus power leads to the motors?
like ya+   ya-   yb+   yb-   encoder + encoder -  ?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on June 29, 2008, 02:01:22 PM
This only applies to the I/O.

The Limits and Homes are predefined and only need to be enabled to work.

The encoders are used by the Galil to close the position loop. They will show up as the DRO for the axis they are controlling (Use the setting I stated above.)

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 02:34:06 PM
Well I am not getting any motion... Maybe I have something wrong... Please look at the screen shots and PLEASE advise....
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 02:35:24 PM
Ok  this is all I can think of....
Please point me in the right direction...
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on June 29, 2008, 03:06:07 PM
I found it best to get the Galil moving the motors with the Galil terminal first. Tune them and burn the PID settings to the Galil memory. Then move on to the Mach software.

From the wires you mentioned and your Galil plugin settup screen shot, I take it you are using DC servoes.

Which Galil are you using?

Are you using a Galil amplifier or a seperate unit?

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 03:49:37 PM
Pid are set... Can move with camsoft...
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 03:52:45 PM
sorry.. 18x2 built in amps I beleieve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on June 29, 2008, 04:35:47 PM
The CamSoft drivers may be your problem. I know they have a hard time coexisting with the Galil drivers ( Which are needed for Mach to work.).

Check out the attachment.

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on June 29, 2008, 05:25:43 PM
Ever get the sweats...

I got them and over looked a very important step...... setting the ratios.. It works like a charm now.........................................
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: bubba on July 10, 2008, 04:34:01 AM
When using galil plug in is Mach3 burning anything to galil card, or do all galil settings have to be entered thru terminal?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on July 10, 2008, 06:43:30 AM
I do not believe Mach3 BURNS (BN) any commands to the Galil. It does have the ability to overright some commands that are BURNED in like the SERVO REVERSED setting in the plug in. It will not overright a slave command BURNED in. I did a (BN) command when Mach3 had my axis slaved and Mach 3 could not unslave it afterwards.

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on July 10, 2008, 12:47:39 PM
What would make the limit switches change?

If I home any of my axis now they x goes towards the switch and stops... Y will go a few inches, and Z will touch the switch but not move back to make it contact again?

When they trigger the switch my shuttle pro will not work until you reset???

Esc terminates script...

What to check?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: HillBilly on July 10, 2008, 02:36:47 PM
This might be a bug in the Plug In. I have experienced this myself. It will always stop when it hits the home switch. Some times it backs up and homes properly other times not. When not, Mach would not let me home again until I exit and re-enter the program. The pause LED is lit during this no homing period also.

Darek
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on July 10, 2008, 05:40:13 PM
I can ESC and it will try again... In the block at the bottom it says script terminated......  Have not noticed a pause light....
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on February 22, 2009, 03:03:44 AM
All of you guys with homing problems need to try out the the latest code.  It's not fully tested as I don't have motors on my Galil cards.  My motors/amps are 480v and I don't have that kind of power in my computer room, if you know what I mean.  I can view the output and it looks good, but there is nothing like putting it in action to see what it does.

1.  Added axis mapping.  Meaning you can now map the Galil D axis to the Mach X axis, etc... If wanted/needed.
2.  The GP I/O is now working.  However, this will require you to re-wire your Mach "ports and pins" settings.  (Not re-wire your machine!)
3.  The spindle no longer takes up a Mach motion axis.  It uses the Mach spindle instead.
4.  Support for the guys driving brushless motors via the commutation on the Galil.  (Sinusoidal Axes)
5.  Many small "gotcha" things that might pop up under certain events/circumstances are fixed.  e.g. The homing bug.  I think this had to do with the original pin layout.  It tried to duplicate the pin layout of a parallel port with a breakout board, but the GP I/O pins could over write the limit switches and home inputs.  So if you are trying to use I/O other than the limit switches, this could be the issue.

PM me with your email address and you will get the PlugIn along with an explanation of the new I/O pin arrangement.  But I really have to warn you that this PlugIn may not work.  As I said, I really can't fully test it yet.  But I would appreciate any people willing to try.  The DLL produces a log file in the PlugIn directory that would be of great value to help elimiate any problems, should there be any. 

I'm working on putting together a 110v system that I can test with.  But I'm still lacking some parts.  Maybe in a few weeks I can provide a better tested PlugIn.

Some things for the future include:

1. Slaving handled entirely via the Galil, thus a slaved axis will not take up a Mach motion axis.  This might free up some axes for you guys running gantries.
    You could do this manually anyway, but I'm talking about putting it in the configuration dialog where you would not have to BN your slave settings.
2. I'd really like to see ridged tapping and threading.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: knobby on February 27, 2009, 12:36:00 PM
I have become real interested in trying the Mach 3 after reading for the last week or so. I had previously had the Camsoft installed (Don't like it at all after dealing with them for over many months). I had the Galil motion control installed, and then had a problem with a bad connection on a hot wire in the mill I aquired and shorted to ground. Completely fried out the Galil and the PC. I am now ready to get it running again. I'll have to post a picture in the future of what not to do to your hardware.

Is the Galil driver set able to work with the legacy cards like the DMC-1040 or do I need to have a newer card? Is there a list of the Galil that has been tested or designed to run with the Mach drivers?

Thanks
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on February 27, 2009, 12:44:44 PM
Here is a link that will answer most of your questions.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,2156.msg61995.html#msg61995 (http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,2156.msg61995.html#msg61995)

The 1000 Series cards are not supported.  (No Data Record)  Support for the latest and greatest Accelera cards has been included, but not tested.  You will need the latest SmartTerm Version 7 Drivers.  You can also install and use the GalilTools on the same machine, but the Version 7 drivers are required.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: knobby on February 28, 2009, 01:39:42 AM
Thank you, now I just need to find a new (or Used) Galil card that is compatible. It sounds like the ethernet is the way to go. Then the laptop could potentially be used on multiple machines? Or taken inside the house and configured, then go back out and work on things. Sounds great.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: whizzo on March 14, 2009, 12:41:11 PM
Hello Smurph,
                     I asked a question in the general section of the forum and someone suggested I ask you, so here goes.
I think Galil boards are very expensive and I know of a PCI motion control board made by a company called Mesa
Electronics   www.mesanet.com   The board is a 5i20    I have no idea how Mach3 communicates with the Galil
board, so please go easy on the technical details at first. This board can be used with a bit of software you may
or may not have heard of called EMC2, which runs under Real Time Linux.
Any and all help, advice and info. gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Dave.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on March 14, 2009, 09:11:33 PM
Yes, I have thought about writing a PlugIn for the AnythingIO boards.  But I had all a few Galil Controllers laying around and decided to use them instead.

While some Galil controllers are PCI based, there would be no other similarities to the Mesa cards.  Galil provides an API library to access the controllers.  Mesa does too, but the APIs are totally different.

EMC2 uses the HOSTMOT configuration.  This is the configuration where the host closes the loop and it requires a real time operating system.  For Mach, the SOFTDMC configuration would be the choice.  It could be done, I'm sure.

Keep in mind that in order to run analogue amps with the Mesa boards, you will need their PWM to analogue converters as well.

What would it take for a Mesa Plugin to appear?  Well...  form the looks of the current PlugIns available, they come to life in one of four ways.

1) A programmer that likes to play CNC has a device that he/she wants to use and then they make it so. They may choose to "give" this PlugIn to the Mach community.
2) A manufacturer has a device that they want to run with Mach.  (Vital Systems)  They hire (or have) a programmer to write the PlugIn to insert themselves into the Mach market to sell the hardware device.  A commercial venture, so to speak.
3) A programmer writes a PlugIn for a device, that he/she thinks will be desirable in the Mach market, to sell the PlugIn.  Another commercial venture.
4) Art or Brian just gets froggy and decides to write the PlugIn for reasons of their own.  (Galil, G100)

I would probably write a Mesa PlugIn if I had the Mesa hardware.  But since I don't have the hardware and I already have Galil hardware, I can't justify buying the Mesa stuff.  If I bought the hardware just to write a PlugIn, the resulting PlugIn would most likely not be free as I would want to recover my investment in the hardware.  It's a lot of work.  You need a computer with Mach, VS2003 compiler, and the hardware device in it, all sitting very close to a test machine with motors on it.  And hours upon hours of time to spend on it.  I can't even begin to count the hours I have spent on the Galil PlugIn.  There are 4 people that have contributed to the Galil Plugin that I know of.  Brian, Jeff Birt, Kenny Crouch, and myself.  I would imagine that the total man hours spent on it's development is probably quite staggering. 

So for now, if you want to run a closed loop servo system, your choices are the Vital Systems DSPMC/IP and the Galil.  :(  Or, if you wanted to write a plugin, both the Galil and G100 PlugIn source are in the Mach SDK.  You can look at them and learn about what information Mach can send to the PlugIn.  But the actual implementation for the Mesa is bound to be as different as the difference between the Galil and the G100.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: whizzo on March 15, 2009, 04:40:31 AM
Aren't you forgetting one option for servos, Mesa AnythingIO board and EMC2?  :-)  I know that Linux freaks people out though.:-)
Thank for your help and advice Steve.

Dave.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Brian Barker on March 15, 2009, 06:07:50 PM
Hello all,
I just wanted to put up a great big thank you to Steve and Kenny for all that they have done.. This is everything that I could have hoped for! I love to see the code public and people working together to make it work!

So again THANK YOU BOTH!

Thanks
Brian
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: joeuhlik on March 25, 2009, 01:41:47 PM
Is the Galil DMC 2040 (USB) supported by this plugin?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on March 25, 2009, 03:05:31 PM
All of the needed stuff is in the 2040 controller, but USB has never been tested.  It would really depend on the speed of the USB connection.  Some vendors choose to emulate a serial port with their USB interfaces and they are subject to the speed limitations of the serial port.  I have no idea if this is the case with the USB Galil controllers.

They only way to know is to try it.  I've been trying to find a USB controller to test with, but no joy at this point.

If you have a USB controller, try it out.  If you don't have the controller, consider getting a PCI or Ethernet controller instead.  I much prefer the Ethernet controllers as it allows for the controller to be placed in the machine control cabinet.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: joeuhlik on March 25, 2009, 03:22:44 PM
Thanks, that's encouraging.  I'm somewhat early in the build process but I will try it out with my controller and let you know how it works out.  I think that the USB controller can still be placed inside of the control cabinet, I'll just need an extension cable with a bulkhead connector for the USB.  Let me know if you foresee any other issues.
Thanks again.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on April 09, 2009, 12:31:52 PM
Version 4.0 of the Galil PlugIn has been released.  You can download it from the PlugIns download section.

Direct MPG support - The smoothest MPG jogging you will ever see!!!  (Kenny is the man!)
Axis mapping - Allows sinusoidal commutation axes to work plus greater freedom while commissioning the machine.
Smoother user interface (DROs and toolpath).
Probing support - G31 probes are now supported.  (However, the 3d probing plugin is not supported.)
Choice of two motion modes - Linear interpolation and contour mode.  You can choose which one works best for you!
Each different Mach profile can use a different Galil controller, if required.
Accelera (the latest and greatest from Galil) are supported.

Along with the PlugIn, there is a PDF user manual.  Be sure and read it as there are differences in the way input and output signals are handled (Ports and Pins) as compared to the V3 Plugin.

The Probing requires a special setup and it is not in the documentation as yet.  I will try and get that documented as soon as possible.

Thanks to all who tested this Plugin!

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on April 17, 2009, 12:59:40 PM
Version 4.1 of the Galil Plugin has been released.

It corrects issues when running high encoder counts.  This one is capable of running 700 IPM with an encoder count as high as 32768.  It may go faster, but my motors are maxed out.

We will be working on threading and tapping now.  It will all be theoretical, as I don't have a machine that will do either.  But that is the next item on the list.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: sivaraj on May 02, 2009, 03:16:51 AM
How to use the analog inputs available with Galil pci 18xx cards. The Galil plugin document does not say anything about configuring analog inputs .
I would like to use these available Analog inputs for Feed and Spindle override control .
Sivaraj
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on May 02, 2009, 08:45:24 AM
sivaraj,

The analog inputs are currently not supported by the plugin, although we are working on them. I have just finished implementing

the Galil RIO with Mach, So you could use one of those if you have one. We will use what we learned from the RIO to get the

analog inputs functioning fairly soon.

Will post here when it is ready.

Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on May 04, 2009, 09:02:11 PM
Version 4.2 of the Galil Plugin has been released.

The main addition is analog input support.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on May 09, 2009, 04:50:57 AM
Great news!

It will be awesome to have Galil DMC + RIO support for the analog and digital I/Os
That will help us to end struggling with the Camsoft software and move to Mach3!

When you plan to get full RIO41700 support?

Wish you a great one!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on May 09, 2009, 09:37:39 AM
Velly,
This is your lucky day. I am attaching the instructions for the RIO 47100 to this message. You do not need the Galil plugin for the RIO, as I have it worked out using ethernet Modbus. Good luck!
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on May 09, 2009, 12:20:01 PM
Thank you Velly much ;-)
It really looks light years ahead from my current slow and buggy setup.
Already curious how the DMC, RIO and net will operate in Modbus mode.

Have a great weekend!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on May 19, 2009, 05:28:12 PM
Version 4.3 of the Galil Plugin has been released.

Encoder based spindle control.
Custom Notify messages.  This allows sending Galil commands to the controller with the VB NotifyPlugins() function.
Fast feed rate override and feed hold.
Slave homing options.
User configurable Extended I/O (experimental).

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on August 20, 2009, 12:42:43 PM
galil 1750 with mach3
i require a further 90 approx i/o ( mixed inputs and outputs)
question. can i do this with mach
if so what hardware is recommended


was looking at camsoft but they seem to have a lot of bad press. have been using mach on small stuff so far.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on August 20, 2009, 01:20:40 PM
Consider using several Galil RIO controllers or an Automation Direct PLC with ethernet communications. Either will work with the Galil plugin.
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on September 12, 2009, 04:15:33 PM
Version 4.4 of the Galil Plugin has been released.

Fixes a jog movement error when SoftLimits are enabled. 
Adds the capability of overriding the limit switches if the LIMITOVRD signal is active. 
Probing improvements.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on September 17, 2009, 12:07:03 PM
Dear Kenny,
Thank you very much for the great document and support!
Yesterday the CNC machine was ready to go and I've managed to run Galil DMC2143 with RIO41700 as slave over Ethernet on handle H.

I still have 2 problems:

1. From time to time the TCP connection is lost with a popping alert "Timeout while sending 470bytes of data..."
2. Still can't figure out how to address (read and set digital and analogue IOs)
SB8000 / CB8000 for DO0 is clear, but how can you read AI0 and set AO0, or read DI3 to switch DO3?

Would you be so kind to share some experience or a link where I can find the info?
I still work with Galil tools (no Mach3 yes), but hope to give it a try when everything is clear in my designer's head ;-)

Thank you in advance and have a great day,
Velly 
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on September 17, 2009, 12:32:09 PM
Just to be sure, are you slaving the RIO to the 2143? I don't, but instead have the RIO connected using the ethernet Modbus setup. If you are slaving directly to the 2143, you may be overtaxing the 2143's communications with Mach. I need to know more before commenting further.
Thanks,
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on September 17, 2009, 04:55:04 PM
Yes, I'm slaving the RIO to the 2143. The thing is that I use only Galil Tools for now, downloading and executing simple .dmc files. No Mach3, just Camsoft, which can't handle both controllers. Hope to get things working on a lower level, before investing in any other software.
Thank you!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on September 17, 2009, 05:10:03 PM
You really need to switch. Mach handles both controllers well and has the features that you need to work with them. You shouldn't have any communication problems either. Mach and Galil just keep getting better!!
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on September 17, 2009, 05:46:29 PM
Also, you can try Mach for free.  The demo will run a limited line number G code file.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on September 18, 2009, 03:54:17 AM
Thank you Kenny and smurph, I will definitely try it these days and give some feedback. Have a great one!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: thedoctor on September 18, 2009, 12:15:53 PM
 ??? Can someone tell me what an operand error is and why I get one using a DMC-1832 with Mach? Even when I just jog the error shows up in the status box. Also, with a DMC-1425 the encoder count goes up and down slightly when I push on the machine (as it should) but with the DMC-1832 it doesn't. I am wondering if a firmware upgrade on the 1832 is in order.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on September 18, 2009, 09:21:17 PM
Make sure the debug checkbox is checked in the plugin config.  Then fire up Mach, do the jog, and then exit Mach.  Then send the GalilDebug.txt file.  (should be in the Mach or Plugins directory.)  My email address is iin the GalilPlugin.pdf file.

Steve
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: thedoctor on September 19, 2009, 04:42:39 PM
 :P Sorry, smurph. I already did the firmware upgrade and both of those issues went away. I can't get over how impressive big, brushed DC motors are when you give them all the volts they want and hold them in tight control! The section in the plugin pdf instructions about 'move settings' had me hung for a while or I would have gotten back sooner. The machine had a stutter problem that I was trying to work out with the Queue Buffer setting. I noticed it didn't have much effect on the stutter until I turned Linear Interpolation on. The picture showed it off. Then I read it was to be off only on Acceleras. I need to read before I do. Thanks for the response!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on September 21, 2009, 05:26:43 PM
Dear Kenny and Steve,
As you suggested, I've downloaded Mach3 to test if I can run Galil DMC2143 + RIO41700 simultaneously, connected through a hub.
PC is 192.168.1.2, RIO 192.168.1.4 (with zeroed MV and enabled MI), DMC is 192.168.1.5

Mach3 finds "more than one control devices" and connects successfully with the DMC, jogging and contouring quite good!
The problem is that there is no way to Setup the TCP Modbus (dialog box doesn't pops up) and there is no connection with the RIO.

Please let me know what could be the reason. So far there is a light in the tunnel, that this configuration could run smoothly.
Thank you in advance!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on September 21, 2009, 07:19:41 PM
Velly,
Did you follow my instructions in the RIO PDF exactly? You need to enable the Modbus checks under ports & pins first, then do a restart of Mach, and then the Ethernet Modbus screen should become available. Continue to follow all the prompts in the PDF and the controller should work fine. Please let me know if you run into further trouble.
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on September 22, 2009, 03:27:28 AM
Kenny, I tried Mach3 R3.042.029 on a PC and on a laptop - no LPT driver installed, just Galil plugin, WINXP Pro.
After enabling Modbus (when it's not enabled a friendly alert pops out) and restart, the "Setup TCP Modbus" dialog doesn't pops out, only the "Setup Serial Modbus". I can't find what could be the reason. Demo restriction or should I set up both controllers for Modbus anyhow or burn some I/O logic first?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on September 22, 2009, 08:35:30 AM
Velly,
I'm going to check whether it's a demo restriction. I will get back to you as soon as I can find out .
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: Velly on October 08, 2009, 12:52:06 PM
I think it's Windows registry problem, the "Setup TCP Modbus" > Test works OK, but Mach3 can't read the Modbus TCP registers data through brains.
Has anybody managed to run RIO through TCP Modbus? Which (older or future) version of Mach3 supports TCP Modbus?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: montabelli on March 23, 2010, 11:54:01 AM
I am curious if the trajectory planning is done completely in the mach3 interface, or is that left to the Galil card? I have read some posts which indicate that 4 axis motion is not handled in cv in mach3 and I 'm wondering if I am going to be able to run my machine with good throughput with out the cv operational in 4 axis mode. I am currently running a smooth stepper and mach 3 I haven't gotten every thing fully operational, but know from experience that I will need smooth 3 and 4 axis interpolation to have this machine be fully useful. 
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: pointcloud on March 23, 2010, 01:26:33 PM
My system works fine threw mach. Motor and amp tuneing is done via Galil SW or other tuneing SW.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on April 05, 2010, 08:11:41 PM
montabelli,
Trajectory planning is done by Mach3. The Galil handles the movements in 16ms slices, using the Mach axis profile data as its source. Works very well for me here.
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: PETSATCOM on April 16, 2010, 09:22:08 PM
anyone have a block diagram on the hook up of Mach 3 the motion control board, servo amps, encoder feedback for a complete system that works

jim
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on April 17, 2010, 02:50:52 AM
depends what model galil controller and breakout board you have? what motor dives/ motor etc combination too
different wiring but all seem to work the same once set up.
are you setting up an old machine?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: PETSATCOM on April 18, 2010, 12:14:08 PM
Question on Servo Amps and Motion Control Boards

Are the AC servo drives PWM by the servo analogue input +-10V DC.

They say the Motion Control Board puts out a standard +-10V.  Is it a pulse train or a continuous signal?
That is the servo drive take input of +- 10V and outputs what?  PWM to the motor?  vs a continuous output?

I have a motion control card MPU 11 from Ajax out puting +- 10V
I can get a copley servo amp for example, and drive a AC servo motor or DC servo motor.
Just want to understand what the +- 10V drives in terms of servo amp output.

Want to make sure the Motion Control Board, Servo Amp and Motors are compatible.

jim
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on April 18, 2010, 02:41:24 PM
+10 v would command full fwd speed 0 v would be stop -10 full speed reverse etc
so +5v would command half full speed forwards.
the galil uses  the drive or motors encoder output to define the position / travelling speed of motor and adjusts its output accordingly

the 10 volt analogue signal is the output of the motion controller -- but the input of the servo drive or vfd etc.
it is a very accurate output. (even the older galil are 12bit resolution i believe)
Title: Galil mpg configuration
Post by: propclock on May 09, 2010, 10:03:39 AM
I need help I have a Galil 4080 with an additional encoder wired to aux channel b/y second axis and can not get
any response from Mach3 . I see it in the diagnostics panel as a functioning encoder. I enable MPG mode but nothing.
The axis is functional in the continuous mode . IE keyboard but I don't know if I should be configuring it in
Galil as a E/slave gearing or I just missed something in Mach3 setup with he Galil plug in setup. again HELP please
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: NosmoKing on May 09, 2010, 10:38:59 AM

I have a motion control card MPU 11 from Ajax out puting +- 10V
I can get a copley servo amp for example, and drive a AC servo motor or DC servo motor.
Just want to understand what the +- 10V drives in terms of servo amp output.

jim

I set my drives up in the Torque mode as suggested by Galil etc, in this mode the drive is known as a Transconductance amplifier, simply put, the current out is directly proportional to the analogue voltage input.
Nosmo.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on May 26, 2010, 05:44:53 AM
can anyone help with this?
i have to set lots of i/o
using setuserled(1000,1) etc switches on  output 1, setuserled (1000,0) turns it off (i started my user leds at 1000 for outputs)
i have this working fine on the bench
using vb script to make an mcode is it possible to use one mcode followed by the output number (eg m100-1015 ) to switch output 15 on
or M101-1015 to switch that output off.
m100-1020 m101-1020 etc top switch output 20
wanted to see if this was possible rather than writing 2 seperate mcodes for each output
if anyone has ideas on this could they share please.
im using a galil 2280 with galil 1964 opto output breakout plus 2 off icm 1900 for everything else
any better ideas? how are other people doing this sort of thing?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on May 26, 2010, 04:05:41 PM
also having trouble getting a delay between outputs
tried g4 p5 etc but it seems to skip it in a running code (but seems to work if you step through the script)
someone please help im pulling my hair out and i dont have much left!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on May 26, 2010, 04:13:28 PM
here is a trial sample program im running

aaa=1
While aaa<33
Setuserled(1000+aaa,0)
code "g53 x0"
code"g4 p0.5"
code"g53 x0.5"
code"g4 p0.5"
aaa=aaa+1
Wend

aaa=32
While aaa>0
Setuserled(1000+aaa,1)
code "g53 y0"
code"g4 p0.5"
code"g53 y0.5"
code"g4 p0.5"
aaa=aaa-1
Wend
End

can anyone see whats wrong with it?
i need to write a tool change routine but need the outputs switched on in sequence with moves etc so i cant have all outputs coming on or off like this.
if i put end in the gap in the middle of program it just switches outputs once :'(
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: rforney on May 27, 2010, 02:04:06 AM
Battwell,

  I am a complete novice, so take this with a grain so salt.  I am very much just starting to learn macro editing in mach.

I think your moves run into eachother.  Without a While IsMoving/Wend after each move, it immediately feeds that data into Mach.  A few milliseconds after you initially told mach "G53 X0", you told it to dwell for 0.5 seconds.  Without the While Ismoving/Wend, these two commands pretty much happen simultaneously, that is, the 0.5 second clock started at the same time as the initial "G53 X0" command. 

I realize you would break syntax if you tried to put the While IsMoving/Wend command within your current conditional loop (after each motion, to inhibit any commands until complete).  Perhaps you could, instead of the { Code "G4 P0.5"} command, try a {Sleep 500} command. Of course, you would want to add the required motion time to that number.

I would love to hear the correct answer, so I will be watching this thread.

Cheers!

Rob
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on May 27, 2010, 05:13:16 AM
im going to give it another try today. now ive read the programming guide!
never done vb before
attatched the very useful guide!
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil outputs
Post by: battwell on May 27, 2010, 06:55:33 AM
ok. this worked right.
aaa=1
While aaa<33
Setuserled(1000+aaa,0)
sleep(500)
code "g53 x0"
While ismoving()
Wend
code"g53 x0.5"
While ismoving()
Wend
aaa=aaa+1
Wend
While aaa>0
Setuserled(1000+aaa,1)
sleep(1000)
aaa=aaa-1
Wend
End

switches off outputs and sequences with moves in x, properly timed
then switches inputs back on in reverse order timed at 1 second intervals
thank god for written idiot guides!

one thing i noticed. couldnt stop the program when it was running? is there something to write into code so space bar or escape gets you out of vb loop?
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: don de on June 01, 2010, 09:30:33 PM
Hello, I am a newbie in this forum and I am looking for help with running a mill on mach software. this machine has a Galil DMC 1030 card.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: NosmoKing on June 01, 2010, 11:31:17 PM
I think you are out of luck, the legacy DMC-1000 ISA series is not supported by Mach.
I have about half a dozen of these cards.
Pity, because they are CNC capable.
Interface can be written using the VB files available from Galil.
Nosmo.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on June 02, 2010, 05:16:41 AM
but there are always cheap cards which should replace easily on ebay etc.
if the pc controller is isa look for 1740 to 1780 cards or use a newer pc
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: battwell on June 02, 2010, 07:15:38 AM
can i make a user defined G code to call a series of vb scripts?
ie. to keep old program compatability from the machine im converting which for instance uses G99 to call a vertical drilling cycle.
i can write the vb script for the cycle but can i call it with G99 or would it have to be with an M call.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: smurph on July 30, 2010, 02:11:34 AM
M call, unfortunately. 
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: toomanyhobbies on April 29, 2011, 05:20:39 PM
I have read where you guys home to a index pulse. I am trying to understand this, I searched the forum but can't find any specific info.

Specifically where does the pulse come from and where is it connected to on the Galil ICM breakout?  Is it sent from the drives though the a/b encoder output? On my drives I know I saw a reference to a separate output for index +z/-z I think it's referred to. Do I use these? Where on the Galil ICM would I connect these? Any info would be helpful, thanks.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on April 29, 2011, 05:53:33 PM
The index pulse is on the encoder. Not all encoders have this feature so you need to check carefully. The index is wired into the Galil encoder I inputs.
Kenny
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: toomanyhobbies on April 29, 2011, 10:14:22 PM
Kenny,

I found this in the manual for the drive. The drive has a "0" position marker pulse it outputs, but the pulse comes out on a separate terminal then the main channel a/b. As far as I can tell, the signal is not included on channel a/b. Is the Galil looking for this index pulse on the A/B channel?

BTW,  I am using SFD feedback as mentioned below.

From the Danaher S200 Drive Manual  ""The CH Z Output is only available when using SFD
Feedback. These two terminals function as a differential,
TTL marker pulse. The output pulse occurs once per
motor shaft revolution, starting at feedback device
position = 0. Its width is one line width or two quadrature
encoder widths. The CH Z uses the same differential
driver as described for CH A and CH B.""

Could this "Z Channel" be connected into the Galil? How?

Thanks
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: kcrouch on April 30, 2011, 07:28:23 AM
Your Galil has A,B & I inputs for each axis. You would connect the channel Z outputs from your amp to the I inputs of the Galil. If using differential inputs, just wire Z+ to I+ and Z- to I-. I am using Yaskawa drives here and they work the same. It is nice to shut the machine down and come back the next day, home the machine and everything is within .0002 of where I left it.
Kenny.
Title: Re: Mach3 + Galil
Post by: toomanyhobbies on April 30, 2011, 09:18:03 AM
Aha, index input for each axis, that's what I missed! It makes sense now.

Thanks Kenny.