Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach Screens => Machscreen Screen Designer => Topic started by: CJC on July 19, 2015, 10:28:51 PM

Title: Pdf image
Post by: CJC on July 19, 2015, 10:28:51 PM

Hi Folks

I've just started designing a screen for a saw that requires only movements in the X axis.  So I don't need the tool path viewer and want to replace it with a pdf (or other format) file or images of the material I need to cut. The pdf will be stored in the same folder as the gcode, so it would be great if it loaded at the same time as the gcode.
I've looked at this for over a week now and can't find anything on loading an image (pdf) to the screen.

Is this or something similar possible?

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: garyhlucas on July 20, 2015, 07:47:08 PM

I like Mach 3 but for a single axis task like this you'd be much better off with a PLC and an HMI with a recipe function.  PLCs get up in the morning and go to work every day for years without complaining about the need to reboot, update the firmware, software whatever. They are made for this task and you'll have your saw cutting with a PLC before you even figure out how to configure Mach 3 for this task.

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: CJC on July 21, 2015, 09:08:43 PM

Thanks for the reply Gary

But I already have a cnc running under mach3 and I will be able to set mach3 with a linear guide/actuator quite easily.
I won't disagree with you that a plc and hmi may be the way to go but I know absolutely nothing about these systems. In fact this has already been pointed out in some treads and I have researched it a bit and again after your suggestion and I think for now at least I'd be better off doing what I know. And in the future I can set out to learn new systems etc.

So can you or anyone else help me with my original question.

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: ger21 on July 21, 2015, 09:29:12 PM

I don't believe that it's possible.

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: CJC on July 21, 2015, 10:05:06 PM

Thanks Ger

That's what I concluded but I didn't want to give up on it without making sure. 
 I will have to continue with plan B then,  splitting the screen 75% mach3 and 25% pdf.

Thanks again. 

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: dude1 on July 22, 2015, 01:21:14 AM

why does it need to be pdf

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: ger21 on July 22, 2015, 07:50:10 AM

It really doesn't matter what format the images are, because Mach3 won't let you swap out images on controls.

I think you can do it in Mach4, though.

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: BR549 on July 22, 2015, 01:48:04 PM

You don't have to switch a control image just LOAD an image on demand and MACH3 CAN do that through CB. It has an image handler built in but it is limited to BMPs . AND it does that quite well. I have a function that allows you to VIEW an IMAGE of the toolpath of the Cutfile.   It will run about as fast as you can select down through the Dir of the files . AND the images stay in the same DIR as the Gcode files do. So when you select the image it loads the correct  Gcode file into mach3 ready to run.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: ger21 on July 22, 2015, 03:10:33 PM

What's the CB function?

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: CJC on July 22, 2015, 06:33:39 PM

Blockhead
It doesn't necessary have to be pdf, it just has to print my sheet material cut lists from my optimisation software, At the moment I print to paper. I just checked and I can also print as an XPS document.

Ger
I will take another look at Mach 4 then before I get back to spending time on the screen design again.

BR549
Please elaborate some more

Title: Re: Pdf image
Post by: BR549 on July 27, 2015, 06:17:00 PM

Gerry Check your Mach Messages , (;-) TP