Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: MCONCEPTS on November 15, 2009, 01:29:29 AM
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I purchsed a wired Microsoft XBOX 360 controller, followed the instructions and installed the XBOX 360 Controller Pendant and it works great! However, now that I am using the controller to position X0,Y0 and Z0 and attempting to cut, I've found an issue that I'm not sure how to fix. My G code does a G53 Z0. then a G53 X0, Y0 at the beginning of the file and before each tool change. Strange thing is, when I postion Z using the Pendant, it appears to be saving the distance moved with the pendant as a offset of some kind on the Z axis because when I start the program and it goes to G53 Z0. It continues past Z0 to some random depth that seems to be realted to the amount I moved the Z axis with the controller, then moves back up to my Z rapid height of .1 and cuts. If I move the Z axis using Mach Jog, I don't seem to have the issue. Is there a setting somewhere that is causing the Z axis movements to be affecting offsets in Mach?
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OK, after getting a few hours of sleep, this is not an issue that is specifically with the XBOX 360 controller. I am having the same issues with the Mach3 Jog so I must have changed a setting somewhere. When I zero out the X,Y and Z axis, it is showing up on the G54 Offsets so when the system goes to G53 Z0, it goes negative the amount the DRO was before it was reset to zero apparently because of the offset being set. I'm looking at the Mach3 manual to try and find out what setting is doing this. If anyone knows how to fix this, let me know.
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I think I have this figured out, although I don't understand why I'm having this issue now and wasn't before ??? . I figured out that a G53 is a Machine Coordinate move and not an axis DRO move so G53 Z0 should move to Machine Z0 and I think it has always done that but Machine Z0 is set when my machine and Mach3 are turned on and so machine Z0 is always above actual Z0. It appears now that a G53 Z0 is moving down below my DRO Z0 the amount of the machine offset that should be above actual Z0 and crashing into my work. How would this have gotten reversed?
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Ok. I'm sure no one but me has replied to this thread because I'm a moron... One of those times where you wish you could delete a thread. Anyway, my ignorance in understanding Machine and DRO Coordinates caused this issue. I was in fact rasing the Z axis and resetting the DRO to zero so I did have a negative Machine Coordinate of less than zero. Learn something new everyday :-[ Someone needs to add a dumba$$ icon but embarrassed works too.
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I'm a moron
We've all had our moments. Just part of the learning process.
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I'm in the process of getting a xbox 360 controller. The one I'm getting is a wireless controller. I'm wondering though, do you use the same plug-in for the wired one as the wireless one, or is there a different plug-in?
Dave
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Dave,
To use the Wireless controller you have to buy a XBOX Wireless Receiver for Windows. This is a USB device that allows your wireless controller to communicate with your computer. I used a wired controller since my computer is only about 5 feet from my machine and it was cheaper than buying the controller and receiver.
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Yes I have the receiver on the way. What I would like to know is, if I really can't get the wireless controller to work, what do I have to get to use a wired controller, bedsides the wired controller.
Dave
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Sorry, with the wired controller you don't need anything else. the same one that plugs into the XBOX 360 will work plugged directly into the USB port on the PC. I just went to Walmart, picked up a standard XBOX 360 wired controller and plugged it in, loaded the drivers and the pendant plug in and got everything working within minutes. I love this pendant and you can program the buttons to do just about anything you want. I have the X,Y and A buttons zero out the X,Y and Z dro's. I use the start button to run the program and programmed the right joystick for Z axis up/down and the left Joystick does the X/Y axis. Works Perfect, I couldn't be happier with it. Plus I impressed my boy's that think its really cool that Daddy can control his machine with an XBOX controller. You won't get that kind of excitement using other pendants. :D
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Wow that's great, thanks. I hope that the wireless controller works that good. My son works for M.S. and it would be great to have the xbox controlling my router by Thanksgiving when he gets here.
Thanks again
Dave
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Do keep in mind that only the 32bit drivers are posted on the Mach site. If you are running a 64bit system, you will need to download the 64bit drivers elsewhere.
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I put the plug in that I dl'ed from the plug in page, when I open mach I get a error message that says the XINPUT1_3.DLL is defective and will ignore. Mach will not show the xbox controller. When I got to the windows control panel the xbox360 show up there and when I preform a test there it works.
I have a 2002 copy of windows xp with sp2. What am I doing wrong?
Help
Dave
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Well I don't know how I did it, but I have it working now. I just kept adding and deleting files and re-installing until the computer gave up and let me win :)
Dave
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Just a caution for you to be aware of.
I tried the wireless Xbox controller and it disturbed the CNC setup. The setup was also compromised if I used a wireless network adapter, so it was obviously very sensitive to the RF noise.
Others have used the wireless stuff and had no problems. I have an entirely differtent setup now, but I already have the wired Xbox controller and have become accustomed to moving programming with a thumb drive, so I am not inclined to try the wireless again.
Just a heads up . . something to be aware of. If you get 'spooky' problems . . . disconnecting wireless devices should be high on the diagnostics list, IMHO.
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Thanks for the heads up. My set up is with the windows receiver for the xbox not the network receiver. I too use a thumb drive to move files. I'm aware of problems with Mach and a computer that has a wireless network card, mine does not. Mine is not hooked to the net in any way, it is a dedicated to my router only computer. I do all my cad/cam work on another computer.
Dave
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Just FYI, there are two different animals in the barn.
The wireless network interface and the wireless Xbox controller interface.
I also used the Micro$oft brand Xbox controller specific wireless USB transceiver.
Both caused havoc with the CNC controls. You may have good luck with the wireless Xbox controller. The good thing is that if you do have any problems, the wired controller is inexpensive and works just as good, so you can eliminate the RF if needed and still have the nice control feature.
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I'll keep my eyes on it.
The only people that I know of, up to now, are people that had wireless network card in their computers. Once they removed them, their problems stopped. They still use wireless keyboards and mice with no problems.
I will stay close to my e-stop.
Dave
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Perhaps it boils down to the frequency of the wireless device vs the speed Mach is running.
There are lots of differnet wireless net frequencies, which may explain why some have trouble and some not.
I am not an electronics guy so for the most part, electronics problems are solved using the Vaudeville solution:
Patient: "Doc, it hurts whenever I do this"
Doc: "Then don't do that, . . . next!"
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Pretty much goes for me too.
Dave
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Frustration beyond belief, cant get the wired xbox360 controller to work with mach3, have the latest version of mach3, have the latest active x loaded windows recoginises the pendant . The plugin is installed and is active as is the setup page for the plugin but at the bottom of the page on the right side it says not installed or recognised. Please dont tell me this is going in the trash can along with all the other chinese pendants and controllers that dont work with mach3. Any ideas before EMC2 goes up
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What operating system are you using?
What kind of computer are you using?
I'm using Win XP and have an older motherboard with an on board parallel port, even though the XBOX controller is USB, I don't have any trouble. I'll go out this morning and check my exact settings and get back to you.
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What operating system are you using?
What kind of computer are you using?
I'm using Win XP and have an older motherboard with an on board parallel port, even though the XBOX controller is USB, I don't have any trouble. I'll go out this morning and check my exact settings and get back to you.
First, make sure the four light button has only one light on and it is in the top left corner. The only other settings I have is in "port and pins" I have output settings, output #3 enabled, port #1 pin #17. If you still can't get to work, PM me your email and I'll send a picture of my XBOX set up screen.