Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => CS-Lab => Topic started by: rufan on January 09, 2014, 03:17:24 AM
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Recently I have swapped the ESS Smoothsteppper for the CS-Lab CSMIO/IP-S controller
When I startup Mach3 I perform a x-y-z Axis reference this is done perfectly
Then I enable the Software Limits.
Now I cannot move any axis in step mode or with G-code, when I try this I get an error message: see picture below.
The weird thing is: the only way to move the Axis with soft limit ON is if JOG is in continues mode.
Whit Soft Limits disable every thing works fine.
What can occur this problem?
Is this a CS-Lab error message? I have never had this problem or see this message before with the Smootstepper controller.
I have the latest Mach3 .066 installed and the latest CS-LAB v2.100 Plug-in installed.
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Can you attach your xml and I will take a look.
Hood
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Actually, looking at the pic above it looks like none of your axes are referenced.
Also might be worth trying an earlier version of Mach as 066 is known to have homing issues with external controllers.
Hood
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Hood,
From what I can see, when the axis go to the reference point and Machine coord's are set to 0.
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I was assuming the LEDs at the side of the DROs were the referenced LEDs and they are not green.
Might also be worth loading the default Mach screen just as a test to see if things change.
I will have a look at your xml and see if I can find any issues.
Hood
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I see you have the C axis enabled, do you actually have a C connected?
Hood
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It is what Hood say: C-Axis.
I need the C-axis for my turret, but I don't want to reference it.
If I disable the C-axis then everything works fine with SoftLimit on.
If C-Axis is enabled then I get this error.
I assumed that if the HOME input for an Axis is not enabled the system should not worry about it's reference.
This was the case with Smoothstepper.
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General Config page in Mach , Disable the soft limits for rotational axis.
Hood
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Hood,
Disable the soft limits for rotational axis, does not the job still getting the error.
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Ok will have another look through your xml but you may have to contact CS-Lab and see if they can suggest anything. I am at home now so cant test but if I remember I will test tomorrow on the lathe by enabling the C axis and see if I get this problem.
Hood
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I notice you have port and pin numbers in Mach for the axes, try setting them all zero and see if that makes a difference. The CSMIO doesnt require you have any there as its set in the plugin. Likely wont help but worth a try.
Hood
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BTW did you try an older versiion of Mach? I do know 066 has issues with homing.
Hood
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After disable the "Rotational Soft Limit" I installed some old versions until 044.
But still getting this message, I think it is a bug in the CSMIO.
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I will test tomorrow and see if I also get that but best to send an email off to CS-Lab if you have not already. They are usually fairly good at sorting things like that
Hood
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I had email contact with CS-Lab
And they say this:
It is about that although the C axis doesn't have the home switch the home diode of C axis must light green so the fault you have showed in a picture won't show up.
It is enough to press "Ref C" w 'Diagnostic Alt-7" or improve VB macro of "Ref All Home" (this button does the homing for x, y, z axes and there is no homing for b and c).
They also attached a video, I will try to upload it to youtube later.
It is very clear what is happening, I try this later on the machine and post the feedback.
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Ah ok I think I know what they are saying. The default RefAll button only has VB in it for X,Y,Z and A.
If you edit the VB to include the C axis then it will likely work. To do that go to Operator menu then Edit Button Scripts. The RefAll should be flashing, click it and the editor will open and you can edit the script.
If you add the following after DoButton(25) it hopefully will work.
DoButton( 27 )
Hood
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I have done all the settings.
Referencing the Axis is done + C-Axis. All green lights are ON.
Softlimits are now ON.
Now I do not get the error message, but I am not able to JOG in STEP mode only in Continues mode.
See video for more detail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rScPbOz8PIw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rScPbOz8PIw)
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Do you have the MPG module?
Can you attach your xml please.
Hood
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Hood,
Disable/Enable the "Rotational Sof Limit" don't do the job, even restarting Mach3 in between.
What I definitely do not understand is why an axis move when in Cont JOG and not in Step Jog or with G-code.
It seem CS-Lab is blocking something.
I am in contact with CS-Lab, any updates I will post.
Here an other video http://youtu.be/GDhxGVzLJgc (http://youtu.be/GDhxGVzLJgc)
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I see in the vid it says Jog mode disabled for MDI. That is usually because the axis are not homed and you have soft limits set. It seems though yours are all homed but maybe try adding DoButton(26) to the RefAll and see.
Can you please attach your xml and also tell me whether you have any expansion modules and I will have a look and see if I can find the problem.
Hood
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Also noticed a strange thing, the video shows that its in Demo mode, are you running Demo or do you have a licence?
Hood
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Yes I have a license, but because I removed Mach3 completely I forgot to put the license back.
But this do not have affect on this problem. Before removing Mach3 I had the same problem I took the Video after new fresh install.
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Hood,
Did you try the C-Axis on your machine?
Thanks
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Can you attach your xml please so I can have a look over it.
Hood
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I have just enabled C in Ports and Pins, Motor Outputs.
Changed the script in my RefAll button to include the C axis.
Homed the machine and it jogs fine via the MPG, via the keyboard and also moves fine via MDI. and I even tried disabling and re-enabling soft limits.
Hood
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Hood,
Fantastic that it works on your machine, that means there must be a setting wrong on my machine.
Witch Mach3 & CS-Lab Plugin version are you using?
Here is my XML
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XML File
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I am using ver 057 I think and the latest plugin.
I tested this on the Chiron that uses the IP-A controller.
Hood
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I have found the problem. Fixed and it is working fantastic.
The problem was actually very simple.
In CS-Lab Plugin menu> submenu "Special Functions" > tab "Other" the "Set Axis to "0" on reset" was not enabled.
(http://PluginMenu.png)
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Ok that is a setting for IP-S and M and it is one you can use with IP-A but really shouldnt as you have encoder feedback and if you did that it would mean you have to re-home each time you take Mach out of reset.
For the IP-S and M however that is really what you need to do as there is no feedback.
Hood
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Yes that's totally understandable.
If CS-Lab updated there user manual I won't had this problem, or maybe I am a little blind :)
I will ask CS-Lab when the updated manual of the new plug-in is ready, because there is some new stuff in the new plug-in.
Thanks for all your support Hood.
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I think the manual is low priority, especially with them working on Mach4 Plugin.
I am just glad their hardware works as well as it does as it is the best I have used with Mach and was basically everything I had hoped and dreamed and even asked other people to make.
Hood
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I can confirm, this is the best Hardware I ever used.
Hardware is not impressed of interference just fantastic.
Very very stable, until now no hangs and no crashes no lost comms.
The pulse-train is fantastic, so good that I was able to increase my axes speeds.
Even Milling Parts with above 30k lines it works fantastic.
CS-Lab did a very good job, and I can recommend this hardware to anyone who is going to retrofit.
Now hopping Mach4 is coming very soon.
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Mail reply from CS-Lab
Dear sir,
I made some tests and I have found that CSMIO plugin require small improvement because the "Set Axis to "0" on reset" function should have nothing to do in your case.
Our developers will remove that issue very soon.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience and the same thank you for helping us improving our product.
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That is good to hear :)
Hood