Hi John,

All I can say for sure is that it is not a plugin problem.  If the controller works fine on Mach Lathe, then the controller and  software are fine.  It could be Mach itself.  You may have to reinstall Mach itself. But, before doing that, I would suggest installing Mach (lockdown version not Beta) on another pc and trying it.

I like the idea of adding the tab and will do so.

Good luck
Lee

Hi John,

The plugin uses the same code for all operations on the right joystick.  So, when you shift it from left-right to up-down, there should be no difference in the speed.  I believe that your problem is external to the plugin.  It could be 1. the settings in Mach  2. the mill itself 3. the controller or 3. the software powering the controller.  Are you using a Microsoft XBox360 controller?

Here is what I would do:

Assign the Z axis to left-right on the left controller and try it.  If the problem continues then the cause is either the Mach settings or the Mill.  If the problem goes away then the cause is the controller itself or the software powering it.

Mach settings such as motor tuning can cause the steppers to run slow. If all 3 steppers are the same then the motor control settings should all be the same.  You can check the controller by recalibrating it in the windows Control Panel (if it is Microsoft). Other controllers have their own calibration program that you can use.  

Give those a try and post back the results.
Lee

drafterman-

The XML file that you sent to Scott (support) was forwarded to me.  The XML file looks strange.   For one thing, I don't see the ProductID and VendorID. It may be that reinstalling the plugin will fix the problem.  I have seen that happen before. Keep me posted.

Lee

First of all, I would suggest that you go ahead and upgrade to XP SP3.  The "not a valid Win32 app" message indicates that XBox360_32Eng.exe was damaged during download.  That file is simply the driver for the XBox360 controller.  If your controller was working, then you do not need to reinstall it.  Try downloading and installing the plugin from the MachSupport page again and see if it is working now.  If not then go to the following location:

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=0684eede15b08730&resid=684EEDE15B08730!322&parid=684EEDE15B08730!321&authkey=!APyvaSOc1ayKAAI

and download the file XBox360Controllertest. Unzip it and run it.

You should see a picture of the controller.  When you move the thumbsticks, you should see a small blue line on the thumbstick image that changes its length as you move the thumbstick.  If it does that, then your thumbstick is working properly.  Try that and then let me know what is happening.

Then there are 3 possibilities:
1. the controller is defective
2. you did not download the DirectX redistributables as indicated on the plugin page
3. the installation was damaged. You have to back it out and reinstall it

If you have not downloaded and installed the DirectX, then I would do that first.  After that I would remove and reinstall the plugin.  Here is a link on how to do it:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/message/132662

If you have a way to test the controller or replace it with another one then you could try that last.  After these steps, if the problem still exists, you can send me the XML file and I'll look at it.

Keep me posted.
Lee

The thumbsticks should work the same as the keyboard.  Does the keyboard allow you to go continuous?

Hi Drafterman,

First of all, the thumbpad (below left thumbstick) only does incremental jog.  It never does continuous.  The 2 thumbsticks will be in whatever mode you set them as.  Go to Mach screen and hit tab. Then (on tab flyout) press JogMode button to cycle to Cont. or Step.  If you set it to Cont, the 2 thumbsticks should work as continuous.  Most people will define one of the buttons on the Controller to be "Jog Mode Inc/Cont"  Then you can shift in and out of continuous jog by pressing the button and then moving the thumbstick.  Give it a try and let me know if you have any more problems.

Lee

If you get an "XBox360 Wireless Controller For Windows" it includes a USB transceiver.  They are about $40.00 on EBay.  If you only get the Wireless Controller then you will have to also buy the USB transceiver.  It does not work with a Bluetooth dongle.
Here is a link to the right one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XBox-360-Wireless-Controller-Windows-Original-Pack-/320691218375?pt=AU_Video_Game_Accessories&hash=item4aaaafa7c7

Notice the small white rectanglular item above the controller.
 
Lee

Thanks for your prompt response, I think I will get a xbox360 controller, wired or wireless,  in time and extra$, if I get the wireless do you think my bluetooth dongle will talk with the xbox360 controller? reply when you can. thank you, Robert

Were you able to solve your problem?  The plugin works with those devices that use the Microsoft XInput header.  Many clone controllers use the same commands and structures as the Microsoft Controller.  That is why they work with the plugin.  I suspect that the Sony uses its own drivers based upon a different set of commands.  Therefore the plugin cannot see it.   Especially since it is for the playstation and not the XBox360.  I think you just need to get a different controller.

Lee

Hi, I am trying to get the xbox360 plugin to work. The wireless controller I have is a sony sixaxis and is working (talking) with my pc using XP with a bluetooth dongle,  I am entering the vid and pid I got from device manager, then closing/open mach3 but it does not hold the values, it resets back to zeroes, and it does not dither the found/none controller option box, I did use Xpadder to get it temporary running but am concerned of safety. Is there something simple That I am missing here? As I would like to be able to use the plugin with all the options it has, Thank you, Robert

Thanks for the info on the chatpad.  I'll check it out.

Lee