Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Jorg on April 16, 2010, 01:57:11 PM
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Hi,
I just installed a 4th axis on my Tormach and it appears that the setting for the A axis is presently for linear motion. I understand it can be changed to rotary motion in the configuration. However, I can't find where to do this.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Please be specific with step by step instructions.
Thanks
Jorg
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It is in the General config Settings Left side.
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Thanks a million,
However, I had that info from searching this forum and can't find the general configuration tab. Where is it?
Thanks
Jorg
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Hi Jorg,
Its in the CONFIG tab 4th selection down.
jay
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Thanks Jay,
Trouble is, I can't locate the CONFIG tab.
I just downloaded from the Tormach site the version 3 Rel. 1.9 U EXE
There I have on the top row a Configuration tab but the pull-down menu give me only "Fixtures" "Tool Table" and "Config Plug in".
In the bottom row I have a tab "Settings" (no cofigurations) and it shows in the upper left corner the A axis but no option to change from linerar to rotary motion?
So where do I find the CONFIG tab you are mentioning?
Thanks
Jorg
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Config menu is where you will find it, see pic.
It might be that Tormach has an OEM version that doesnt allow you to access the General Config settings, if thats the case you will need to contact Tormach and ask their advice.
Hood
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Hi Jorg,
Tormac seen fit to remove that menu item because it doesn't pertain to your system. It is problem still in the program some where but I dint where to get access to it. Like Hood said, call Tormac.
Jay
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Thanks everyone,
Yes, now that I have seen the screen shot it's clear that the Tormach version does not provide that option at the config tab.
I'll see on Monday what Tormach has to offer.
Best
Jorg
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Thanks everyone for the support,
As to the linear versus circular motion in Mach 3; the full version has under the setting tab a choice to select either circular or linear motion. The Tormach version does not provide this option; they basically disabled the whole "settings" options to assure that everything is set up properly to match their machine.
To get around the problem one can use after every g-code line GOA 1.8 that tells the stepper to rotate for 180 degrees an additional line G92A0 that sets the counter back to zero thus allowing a repeated clockwise move by 180 degrees.
Best
Jorg
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That seems a rather clunky way to have to do things, is that the way Tormach told you to do it?
I think I would be tempted to load the demo version of Mach on another computer and load the xml that you are using on the machine into that computer, change the setting and close Mach. I would then rename the xml and copy back over to the machine and load the modified xml and see how it goes, if its all good then you could make that xml your default for starting.
Hood
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Hood,
Would there be mach1lic.dat even with Tormach's modified Mach that Jorg could use in the real Mach3?
Jay
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Thanks for these suggestions.
I think I will stick with the kind of round-about way I outlined earlier. It works and a simple line of code is not too much trouble.
Of course it would be nice to know how to do it in a proper way for future projects.
Best
Jorg
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Hood,
Would there be mach1lic.dat even with Tormach's modified Mach that Jorg could use in the real Mach3?
Jay
Yes I think the licence would work fine with standard Mach but the problem would be any support or warranty from Tormach would likely be voided by doing so.
Hood
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Just as a thought,
I remember seeing that a lot of the configuration settings can be read and changed thru scripting. I don't know off the top of my head if that particular one is in the list, but it is worth looking into as an alternative. I did dink around with it a bit and it does work, but I don't reacall the details of it so you would need to do some homework on it and see it it fits with what you are trying to do.
Probably a scripted change would not effect your warranty of support if you are just changing parameters on the A axis . . . as a guess.
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Dear Simpson,
Thanks for your suggestion, but this is way beyond my capabilities.
Best
Jorg
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Jorg,
It happens that I am very interested in 4th axis application just now and I might assume that you are not using the Tormach 4th axis or you would not be having this integration issue.
What 4th axis are you using and what is the application if you don't mind elaborating.
I have been developing a 4th axis hybrid indexer/lathe head for a while now and it has matured over time into a final design. Last Summer it was in this iteration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2-Kdud7eiA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2-Kdud7eiA)
You can see the final Super Duty version here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2urdg_bqg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2urdg_bqg)
There are some minor details left to address, but it is essentially going to remain in this state.
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Dear Simpson,
I have converted the Tormach CNC Mill into a Vertical Lathe to produce fully automatic the small turning parts I use for my Guitar Tuning Machines. www.graftuners.com.
I have replaced the draw bar with a pressurized tube and installed a pneumatic opening/closing mechanism for the collet. This allows me to advance my stock while the spindle is running. One of my parts requires very close tolerances for the ID and run-out. I cannot achieve those tolerances if I where to move the table. Thus I need a stop that moves in and out and a cut-off tool that also moves in and out. Lastly I have a waste/part collection system where a vacuum cleaner collects the waste and just as the part is being cut-off switches over to collect the part in a basket.
To control all this I installed a 4th axis stepper motor and use this stepper to rotate 4 cams that operate pneumatic valves which in turn activate the various pneumatic cylinders that move the slides and activators.
For this reason I need to be able to continually move the axis clockwise (not back and fort) by 360 degrees in two 180 degree steps for each part made.
Best
Jorg
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OMG! Beautiful! I want these for my Les Paul!!
I am intrigued by interesting challenges (plus I love anything with stings). Now that I know what you are trying to accomplish, I am ready to tell you that it is doable with Mach, no problemo. I know you are noodling around with this, but if you do not arrive at a satisfactory solution, and you are not in a terrible hurry, then e-mail me directly and I'll help you with the solution. If you find a solution, please post it back here.
This has my wheels turning. If you are not moving your tables during the operation, could you make temporary use of one of the other axis to operate the 4th axis . . if you had a way to instantly, automatically, temporarily and transparently switch them back and forth? In any case, I'm pretty sure we can create a macro that will turn the axis 180 degrees with a single M code.
i.e.
G1 (blah blah blah make the part)
M5 (turn of spindle)
{vacuum, collect, advance stock, other cool stuff}
M981 (rotate axis 180 degrees)
M47 (do it all again)
Where can one see pictures or videos of this very interesting machine of yours?
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Well I do kind of in secret Acoustic sets that would fit your Les Paul. Contact me through my website and I'll send you pictures.
As to the rotary motion, perhaps you missed it but there is a kind of round-about solution by inserting after every 180 degree rotation of the stepper in linear motion the line GO920 that sets the counter to zero thus the next time one uses GOA180 it will turn again clockwise.
As to the video, I will post one someday, but right now I have spent way too much time developing this I got to get back into production a.s.a.p.
Best
Jorg
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Gotcha!
My impression was that you wanted to use the A axis as a rotary axis.
You certainly can just send the right amount of steps to accomplish the desired rotation and reset as you have discovered. I believe this method will continue to count up the 'machine coords', but I have run those out into the millions on the 'A" axis with no ill effect. so at 180 degrees at a pop you'll need to close and restart Mach by about the year 2050 . . . :D
If all you need to do is that one movement, looks like it's Miller Time.
About the Les Paul, it is about a '73 model, purchased new by myself. Been played a lot, but all original and mint. Prolly should not mess with it and hurt the value. But I really love your stuff. If I had a newer Les Paul . . . .