Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: Marcwolf on December 16, 2025, 02:18:51 PM

Title: Need to run GCode between certain times.
Post by: Marcwolf on December 16, 2025, 02:18:51 PM

Hi. We have an issue where we have to run our machine between certain times. We can view it via a cameras.

So I am wondering if anyone has a script that can read the system time and when it is 8am it starts the job, and a 5pm it does a feed hold until 8am the next day.
And continue this till it is the job is done.

I am a VB programmer and have an idea of how it can be done using While.. Loops and Sleep to keep thing running.

Longer Story.  We have a big CNC (2.4m x 1.2m) in a Mens Shed that only opens Mon - Wends from 9am to 12pm.  This is a very small window to do very large jobs. i.e. slice of a tree getting a sign engraved onto it. Unfortunately the shed also had neighbours who complains about after hours time so we cannot run this 24hrs a day till the job is finished.

Any help is greatly appriciated.
Many thanks
Dave

Title: Re: Need to run GCode between certain times.
Post by: Marcwolf on December 16, 2025, 03:26:18 PM

I have whipped up this pseudo code that should do it. you start by tunning this when you ready to start the job..


Const StrtTime = ' mins at 8am
Const EndTime = ' mins at 5pm
Var iRunning as Boolean
Var oRunning as Boolean

iRunning = True
oRunning = True
Start the Job
While Job_active   ' Checks that the current job is running and not finished
   Get System Time in minutes from midnight
   If system time between StrtTime and EndTime  then
      iRunning = False
   Else
    iRunning = True   
   End if

   Do   ' Stop testing too quickly. We are not worried about seconds
     Wait 5 mins       
     sleep
   Loop

   If  oRunning <> iRunning
   if iRunning = False
      FeedHold
           oRunning = False
        else
           Run Job
      oRunning = true
        end if
   end if

Loop