Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => PoKeys => Topic started by: Harald on August 08, 2015, 10:50:04 AM
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Dear all,
I have a Problem with Pokeys56U as Pendant.
Mach3 is latest, activated Version, Pokeys Firmware / Software was 3.1.52 /3.1.55 --> updated to 3.1.62 Beta, OS is XP. Following the description on page 19 ff of Poscope Pulse Engine v2 docu, I tried to connect and run this 56U as Pendant, unfortunately without success. The hardware is following the schematic on page 20, but additionally i connected a 16x4 LCD which works as expected.
My problem is, that I can not enter the MPG mode, therefore no reaction if I change the switches or move the Jog.I am not using the pulse engine to move the axes (they are connected to LPT1). The Mach3 settings in Ports&Pins / MPG in case of MPG#1 is: 10,1,10,2 but even if I deactivate MPG#1 here - no change. Or if i put in 0,0,0,0 - no change. Whenever i change something in Mach3 or Plugin settings, i restart Mach3 to be sure.
Maybe my english is not good enough (I am German) but i do not understand the text in Pulse Engine Documentation page 21:
Almost at the bottom of the page it says in red: Therefore Mach3's Ports and Pins configuration should not be used to setup ...
The next paragraph says: Also note, that the coresponding MPG must be only enabled in Mach3's Ports and pins under MPG tab.
This seems to be in conflict (or i do not understand the meaning), anyway, it would be great if someone could help me to get this Pendant working.
Many Thanks in Advance
Harald
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Hi, Harald
PoKeys device does not function as a LPT port extender or emulator. Therefore, there is no Port or Pin setting appropriate for use with PoKeys pins. Leave the Port and pin settings in the Mach3 MPG configuration set to 0 and set the MPG enabled check boxes.
The most important step is to enable the encoders support in PoKeys device configuration window as described in the Pulse engine manual, then map the encoder values to DROs 101 (for MPG1), 102 (for MPG2) or/and 103 (for MPG3). If you open the 'Settings' screen in Mach3, there are fields 'Count' for MPG1, 2 and 3 (top center of the screen). If you move the encoders (MPGs), these values should change.
Regards,
Matevž, PoLabs
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Hi Matevž,
thank you for your super quick reply. I corrected the Mach3 Port & Pins setting according to your suggestion. Then I went to Pokeys plugin configuration and double checked. Everything looks same as page 21 of Pulse engine manual. I use only one Jog which is mapped to DRO 101 as described. The values in Mach3 Settings screen are not changing at all.
Just to confirm, my understanding is, that in the PoPendant wiring diagram the switch S1 is a NO pushbutton. Is that correct understanding?
This PC was working without problem with a Logitech F310 Joystick, using Joakim Hjort's Plugin. To avoid any problem I disabled this plugin. Is there any conflict between these two plugin's?
Anyway, I am looking forward for your reply.
Best regards from Germany
Harald
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The way Mach3 handles additional DROs via plugins is that plugins overwrite the same MPG registers. If multiple plugins write to the same register, it will come to a race condition. I would suggest disabling other plugins if you are unsure whether there might be an issue.
I would suggest you to check that your jog wheels function properly by closing Mach3 and checking the encoder values in the PoKeys configuration application. The Peripheral > RAW encoder values should change when you move the wheel.
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Hi Matevž,
as mentioned earlier, i already disabled the other plugin, but I am not sure wether I should de-install or remove some dll or ...
Checking the Pokeys Configuration Encoder Raw values, the Encoder1 values are changing as expected. I have positive or negative numbers for speed and increasing/ decreasing numbers according to rotation of Jog. This seems to be ok.
Regards
Harald
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Hi Matevž,
I forgot to mention, that I checked the IO Status (in Pokeys Configuration) and also the switches work as expected.
Regards
Harald
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Can you make sure that you have the following settings the same?
Are you using the pins of the jog wheel for any other function at the same time?
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Hi Matevž,
Yes, i can confirm all three settings. No, the Jog is not used for anything other.
Regards
Harald
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Hi Matevž,
I need to correct my answer. In Mach3 Settings i found some value for MPG1 Count. It is not changing if i turn the Jog. Also it is not changing if I restart Mach3 or the PC.
Please see the attached Picture.
Regards
Harald
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Hi Matevž,
now here it is 20min after midnight, eventually i stop thinking now :-\
Fooling around with all the settings, I found that in the Mach3 Pokeys Plugin settings - Pokeys mapping i need to un-check the Pendant Mode. Now my Jog is working!! This is very logical isn't it?
But I can not change the multiplier or the axes with the Pendant switches. The stop switch is not working as well.
Any idea how to solve this?
Best Regards
Harald
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Pendant works only if PoKeys is also used as pulse generator.
Pendant switches should be wired and configured in the PoKeys plugin (settings file is available on our webpage under downloads for the PoPendant1 and it can be imported) as described in the 'Pulse engine and Mach3 plugin' manual on page 20.
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Hi Matevž,
thank you for your answer. Is the "6 axis PoPendat configuration for Mach3.xml" the file which I should import? I imported that file with Pokeys Plugin "Import/Export settings" and was using "Pokeys Pin Mapping" for the import. But the Pendant switches are not working as before. Is that correct import setting?
Harald
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Hi All,
finally i gave up to import *.xml file and made manual configuration using Mach3 Pokeys Plugin (PoKeys mapping tab)
the select switches for axis are mapped to Input Button 259 to 262 (X,Y,Z,A) - inverted
the Jog increment switches are mapped to 191 to 192 - inverted
and the E-stop (Reset) button is mapped to 1021 - inverted
aditionally i connected 4 Leds to indicate the active axis and mapped them to LED 59 to 62 - inverted
as described earlier, the LCD configuration is made in the LCD tab and works perfect.
@Matevž - eventually you can give me some explanation how to use the XML file(s).
Anyway, my Pendant is now working as expected. Eventually I make later a PDF with all the screenshots and schematic.
Regards
Harald
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Hello,
I have the same problem, I was unable to operate the MPG with my Pokeys57CNC.
I also have an LCD 2004, and impossible to make it work.
Does the Mach3 plugin works with the new Pokeys57CNC ?
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We just retested both the MPG and LCD and these both work with Mach3+PoKeys57CNC
MPG:
Enable encoder 1 and set the pins 1 and 2 as A and B signals, then map it to DRO 101. You can check the MPG Count DRO on the 'Settings' page of Mach3 and it will change with you moving the encoder. Now, Mach3 knows about the motion, it's up to Mach3 configuration on how to use it (usually, MPG1 has to be enabled in the Mach3 settings first, jogging mode must be switched to MPG and Alt 1 button must be pressed to select proper axis for the MPG to move). You can save some of this hassle if you enable that the PoKeys handles the jogging as pendant (works only if Pulse engine is used in PoKeys device)
LCD:
Proper power supply is needed for the LCD to work correctly - powering the board via USB does not guarantee the required 5V for the LCD module. It is clearly stated in the manual that USB only power supply can be used for limited testing only.
Pin 18 is used for LCD contrast - PWM on this pin must be activated with a fixed duty cycle (e.g. 10%) and a moderate PWM frequency (let's say 100 us PWM period to produce 10 kHz)
LCD must be configured properly in the Mach3 settings.
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Thank you for your answer,
I was actually a wiring problem.Now everything works.
I have another problem, I can not drive the relay to start the spindle.
I chose "Output 1" for relay 1 and "Output 2" for relay 2 in Pokeys configuration and then "Output 1" for M3 and "Output 2" for M4
But nothing happens when I try to control the spindle.
Thanx
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First, make sure you are running the latest PoKeys firmware, Mach3 plugin and Mach3 software.
Did you select 'External 4ch with IO' in the pulse engine configuration screen of the Mach3 plugin?
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My version of Mach3 is R3.043.066, the Pokeys firmware is 4.1.17 and the plugin version is 1.00.
I have chosen 'External IO with 4ch' in Mach3.
I manage to drive the relay from the pokeys software, it is relay 2 and 3.
Attached my config file.
Thank you.