Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: c30232 on December 30, 2012, 10:41:42 PM
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I have been messing with Mach in mill mode and it seems easy and straight forward. I have used Mach in a third party THC mode for plasma table motion, again easy and straight forward. However, when I open Mach in the plasma mode the axis are swapped. I reckon I could change the stepper leads but that would not identify or solve the the issue. How do I assign the axis within Mach to match the output.
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Config menu then Ports and Pins then Motor Setup. Assign the port and pin number for each axis there.
Hood
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Hood,
Tried that and it doesn't work. It acts almost like the TB6560. After I posted I tried lying by changing the pin numbers with no luck. That is, I pushed the page down key and noted which stepper moved and then assigned that pin number to the Z axis . . . nothing changed. The pins for the Gecko 540 are very easy to remember, 2&3, 4&5, 6&7, and 8&9. It works fine in Mill mode. We plasma has not worked from the start but I did not pay much attention thinking it was in the setup.
I just used mill mode for the learning curve during which time I thought I would add a THC to the project. Not sure that I really need a THC but I was amused by a rotary axis add-in that came with it. The THC arrived by the time the table was ready to go. The THC came with its own setup parameters and it was never necessary to perfect the Mach Plasma mode.
When the time came to execute the test protocol for plasma portion of the THC a board in its controller got fried. However, before that and now the THC motion control and its setup worked just fine. The THC used the aforementioned pins, 2&3 and so on.
When I set the Plasma mode using the same protocol as in Mach Mill and the THC it does not work. It acts like it is locked and the pin values do not change anything. I found a post with the exact issue but I did not see an answer.
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Can you post your mill and plasma xml.
Sort of sounds like the THC hardware/software is interfering.
Hood
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Excellent observation. Except I had a hint of the problem prior to installing the THC. I wrote it off to setup and messed with the operational Mill setup. Didn't delve enough to be certain, however, I have uninstalled all software and re-installed it twice. The problem is still there and it is not in Mill.
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Oh, the THC hardware is on its way for repair and no longer connected. But if it is a residual of the THC, where does it live on the computer or Mach?
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I have no experience with THC hardware so dont know what it consists of. I can check your xmls and see what is different but if you need help with the specifics of the THC hardware/software then you really need to talk to the supplier/manufacturer.
Hood
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Thanks, I am not persuaded that it is a THC issue or at least a third party THC issue. The issue seemingly resides in Mach.
I haven't even messed with the THC portion within the Mach Plasma, I am just trying to get x y & z movements. When I installed Mach it presents three options for opening a screen, mill, lathe, and plasma. Life is good in mill and I have never looked at lathe. However, upon opening plasma even for the first time it seemed SNAFU. If your Mach options are the same, would you be so kind as to have look at Plasma and see if it will move anything as it should. It needs to hooked to a machine . . . the DROs move as they should.
If the forum doesn't have the answer where does one seek help for Mach?
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I'd suggest copying your mill xml file to a new name, then loading that xml and then changing to the plasma screen under view/load screen.
John
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John,
I, knowing that recovery was easy, did the lazy thing and just loaded the plasma screen in the functional mill setup and it seems to have done the trick. Thank you! I have bee focused on the table and have not delved into screens beyond knowing that the feature exists. All of the operational functions seem the same but are triggered by a different GUI. Thanks again. Perfect!
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If the forum doesn't have the answer where does one seek help for Mach?
Maybe if you had attached your xml's as requested you would have got some answers ;)
Hood
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I will do that next time I have the memory stick plugged in and make certian that I am sending the correct file. I still don't understand why changing the config did nothing. And pray tell, how do I attach a file to the forum and/or send it to you?
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I still don't understand why changing the config did nothing.
That is why I want to see the xml's as there is no real reason other than a config issue.
And pray tell, how do I attach a file to the forum and/or send it to you?
Copy your xml's to another location such as your desktop and then rename to something unique, maybe c30232Plaxma.xml and c30232Mill.xml. Reason for that is the forum will only allow a file name to be uploaded once.
After you have done that use the additional options button on the reply page to browse and attach the renamed files.
Hood
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Hood,
Try these files. Even after checking the manual I am at a loss as to how Mach manages files. I hope I am sending the correct profiles.
Focus on the Z movement in plasma. When I mash the page down key Z does not move but the Z DRO responds as it should. The key moves another stepper. I am not sure how complete this profile actually is, but the Z is indicative of the overall problem.
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Ok the mill profile is not the correct one as it is blank. The plasma one does have config in it but as I have nothing to compatre it to regarding mill I dont know if its right or wrong.
One other thing iis you are using a pirate licence and that likely has a bearing on your issues.
Hood
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Okay, the license came with the TB65XX whatever POS. I will clean house and do a fresh install. Perhaps file management will be less of a mystery too. I hope I have valid license, I purchased a copy of Mach along with the Gecko 540. Before I start cleaning I will try to send a mill profile.
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Where did you buy the G540?
You should have been sent an email from Scott with the licence file attached, if you have lost that then you can email license@machsupport.com with your details and Scott will resend.
Hood
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Had some issue posting. I am sending the file again as it is not blank on this end. Let me know.
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Yes it too is blank, easy to tell from the file size but I thought I better look anyway :)
Ok is 1:20am here so off to get some sleep.
Hood
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No email from Scott. I will work on it Wednesday. Thanks!!!