Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: machiner on March 20, 2020, 11:41:13 AM
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I have the following equipment ;
Modern PC running Windows 10
licensed copy Mach4
A Pokeys 57CNC
Creatity Ender 5 3d printer w/ single extruder head.
I have spent years learning LUA and the Mach4 system
Would like to use mach4 on the 3d printer.
What I would 'like' to do is connect and run the steppers and end switch's
directly from the Pokeys 57CNC. That part seems simple.
QUESTIONS ;
How could I run a extruder step motor from mach4/pokeys. How could the extruder know how much filament to extrude.
How could I control the two heaters (base plate and extruder) from mach4/pokeys. There are several thermistors on the printer to feedback temperatures.
I am hoping if I cannot run it all from MAch4, I could use the Smoothie board for the heaters and extruders and mach4/pokeys for the Steppers.
Existing control system. The original board in the printer was replaced with a network smoothie board and Smoothieware software
After much trial and error it works but pain in the ....
any hints , ideas greatly appreciated. stay safe.
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How could I run a extruder step motor from mach4/pokeys. How could the extruder know how much filament to extrude.
Use a step dir spindle and control the motor with the S word, M3 for start, and M5 for stop. See the Spindle tab in the configuration dialog.
How could I control the two heaters (base plate and extruder) from mach4/pokeys. There are several thermistors on the printer to feedback temperatures.
Bring the thermistors into a compatible ADC (analog input). Then implement a heater control in the screen's PLC script or even a PMC ladder script.
I am hoping if I cannot run it all from MAch4, I could use the Smoothie board for the heaters and extruders and mach4/pokeys for the Steppers.
Mach can do it.
Steve