Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: AdrianH on October 11, 2016, 02:41:41 PM

Title: New to Mach3 just starting still on Demo, asking question can anyone help.
Post by: AdrianH on October 11, 2016, 02:41:41 PM
Pardon my ignorance, but I am slowing getting my setup to work.

I have known about Mach3 for years, but I have been running an old DOS based package that I bought years and years ago, but after having to get an old machine to once again run Dos, think it may be time to switch, but I have a question.

I am initially trying to get it to replicate Yeager Automation CNCPro, in particular the following if I can.

The old software has several Function keys that drove output pins as well as using G-code such as M03, M08 etc.

For instance 'Function 5' will toggle an output for me that is spindle clockwise on and off so same as M03 and M05 in the program.

Now there is a radio button for this (Plasma), so I can check the plasma arc on and off with the radio button, all good.

But I could do with a radio button to the main screen to turn on Flood cooling and turn it off again the same as M08 and then M09 in a program.

Is there a way of doing this?

The reason for this in my case was M08 turned on the stepper control board and M09 turned it off.  At the moment i am using Enable, but it is on when running Mach3 and I can not find the way to enable/disable from the keyboard.

have I missed something.

Cheers

Adrian
Title: Re: New to Mach3 just starting still on Demo, asking question can anyone help.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 12, 2016, 08:26:15 AM
Quote
But I could do with a radio button to the main screen to turn on Flood cooling and turn it off again the same as M08 and then M09 in a program.

Is there a way of doing this?


Hi Adrian,

Welcome to the forum.

Setup the Flood Mist Control in Config. / Ports & Pins / Spindle Setup. This will let you toggle the Output# you choose for the Flood Ctrl-F (M8/M9) button on the main screen.

It’s a learning experience but using one of the Screen Editor’s will enable more buttons, for example; Mist (M7), to be added to your screen.

Tweakie.

Title: Re: New to Mach3 just starting still on Demo, asking question can anyone help.
Post by: AdrianH on October 12, 2016, 03:14:50 PM
OK magic, it works and I understand a bit more.


Thank   you very much indeed.

I do not have time to check it out tonight with the plasma going, but I can see on the diagnostic page it saying the pin is active.

So if it works then off to get a licence probably at the weekend.

I have seen there are different screens I can load to change the look, also seen there is a program to edit the screens or generate new ones.  Possibly a bit above me at the moment, but I like the challenge!

Thanks for the assistance.

Adrian

Title: Re: New to Mach3 just starting still on Demo, asking question can anyone help.
Post by: rcaffin on October 15, 2016, 05:01:28 AM
Another thing to remember: there are two sets of outputs from Mach3. The ENABLE #n outputs are really meant for enabling motor drivers. They are a bit unsatisfactory as general outputs. The OUTPUT #n  are what you probably want.

Cheers
Roger