Messages

841

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 vs Mach 4

« on: December 21, 2015, 08:12:47 AM »

I'm with Blockhead.  I'm going to wait to use Mach 4 whenever these guys on the forum say its working very well.  The only issue I'm having with Mach 3 is the amount of Input and I'm going to try using a PLC via TCP Modbus to fix that issue for now.  I have to say I am excited for Mach 4 to be more "User Friendly".  Just waiting for the next update for the ESS!!

842

General Mach Discussion / Re: Im stuck - Just cant get anywhere..

« on: December 17, 2015, 09:53:37 AM »

The EStop might need to be set to Active High or Low, since you don't have an estop on the unit it might be thinking there is a connection being made even though there is nothing there.

843

General Mach Discussion / Re: Click PLC TCP Modbus?

« on: December 15, 2015, 01:58:41 PM »

Thanks for the video link.  I had forgotten that their were videos to help. 

I have figured out a way to make it work.  On the click PLC it has inputs labeled X1, X2, ETC..., these inputs are the order that the Modbus is reading them in Mach3.  In the TCP Setup, I check the Cfg to enable it, then

I give it the modbus address of "0" for input "X1", "1" for in put "X2" , ETC.  It didn't seem to matter at all how I had the PLC set up as long as it was set for an input to send a modbus command.  In the brain I just used

the TCP modbus check box and Cfg# and it works.  Probably not the best way to use Modbus, but it seems to be working for me thus far. 

Now on to more testing.  Going to figure out outputs.  Thanks again Russ for the links, they were informative! 

-Chad

844

General Mach Discussion / Re: Click PLC TCP Modbus?

« on: December 14, 2015, 05:04:17 PM »

Russ,
Thanks for the article.  Didn't find anything to help me set up Mach 3 however.  I don't know what to put into the TCP Modbus setup.  The Address (local and Modbus) and the slave.  I'm trying to figure this out but not having much luck.  Here is where I am at.  I have established communication between the PLC and Mach3, I clicked the test button and clicked open, from there I checked discrete inputs and 3 registers; It would read "0000" when the buttons were open and "0001" when the buttons were closed.  So I know that Mach can communicate with the Click.  I just don't know what do from here. 

In the picture, the right side is the Click PLC "Send" Setup.  The left is Mach3 TCP Setup.  I don't know what information I need to put where.

-Chad

845

General Mach Discussion / Click PLC TCP Modbus?

« on: December 14, 2015, 02:29:10 PM »

I have never used Modbus before and I can't really find anything to help me out to set up the Click PLC from automation direct.  Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?
Thanks
-Chad

846

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving an axis while code is running.

« on: December 07, 2015, 03:39:21 PM »

Russ, I could do that.  That would make it easy.  I'll give that a go on my next machine.  No room for it in the box I have now. 
TP, the last I checked Mach4 wasn't ready with the ESS (not the latest version anyway) and I couldn't get the spindle to calibrate.  The axis movement, homing, and running code are all pretty good with Mach4 just couldn't get the calibration out of my spindle.   Very excited to use Mach4 with the OB motors and with the 60 inputs!

847

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving an axis while code is running.

« on: December 07, 2015, 10:54:11 AM »

Okay Russ. 
I did think about something like that, but I need to be able to tell the nozzle where to go during my tool change, for each respective tool.  I was thinking that I could get an Arduino and program the positions into it an also have an adjustment knob that goes along with it.  That way all I have to do is give outputs to the Arduino to read as inputs to move to exact positions.  There's more than 1 way to skin a cat, just trying to figure out which is the best way. 
Thanks for all the input, very helpful.
-Chad

848

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 run from here?????

« on: December 07, 2015, 08:10:46 AM »

Gerry is right, do not just hit stop.  That would not be good, feedhold and then stop.  Also, another suggestion, what about Torch Height Control?  I have zero experience with it but from my understanding you are able to move the Z while code is running with this control.
-Chad

849

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving an axis while code is running.

« on: December 07, 2015, 08:04:47 AM »

Yeah, I didn't think I would be able to.  As soon as Mach 4 gets more stable for me I will try and use it on this machine.  I just didn't want to put in the PLC on this machine.  What PLC's do you suggest to use?

850

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving an axis while code is running.

« on: December 04, 2015, 06:57:21 PM »

Sorry, I am using the ESS as my motion controller.
Also, for fun.
Watch "Programmable Coolant Haas VF3 Mach3 Retrofit." on YouTube
https://youtu.be/oW7-6PHisHg