Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => PoKeys => Topic started by: budman68 on August 12, 2008, 04:56:39 PM
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Ok, I received my PoKeys device today and thought I'd test it out. Now I haven't connected it to Mach 3 or anything yet, just wanted to try lighting a laser dot (3-5 volt) that I had laying around. Shouldn't I be able to connect the black to ground on the board and the red to pin #1 and then go into the software and click on the "O" (output button) to enable it to come on?
When I have the "O" button enabled, I clicked the "View I/O button at the bottom right, and it says "Pin 1 (Digital Output): off"
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Dave
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Not sure, never used it apart from within Mach, will go try and see.
Hood
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Doesnt seem to work but I havent read the manual. If you do it from Mach it will work but for Outputs you have to connect to the device in the PoKeys software and choose which pins yu want as outputs and then save to the device. They will then work in Mach. Inputs however dont need to be chosen and saved to the device or atleast they dont for me.
As a test install the plugin and then enable it, set the coolant button up as output (whatever you want) in ports and pins Spindle options page then go to OutPuts and set that output to port 10 and pin (whatever you have the laser connected to) then when you press the coolant button or MDI M8 the laser should light.
Hood
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Ok, I'll give that shot, thank you sir-
Dave
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Yes, it does work correctly that way (whew...).
I would like to be able to test the unit without Mach 3 though as I may want to you use one of these for other things for my PC in the house. There's really not much to the owners manual and I guess I'm just not comprehending it. I'm not the wittiest guy - :P
By the way, when you save the setup, where is the file located? Or is saving it right to the actual device as it states?
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saving it to the device I think
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Still trying to figure out how to turn the laser on without being in Mach3. When it is connected through Mach 3, if you open the IO status window in the PoKeys software, and you turn the "coolant" button (output that I have connected to the laser) on and off, the status window shows the pin turning on and off. So there's got to be a way to switch this on and off when not connected through Mach 3.
Wouldn't you think that as soon as you enable the output button in the PoKeys software, it would turn it on immediately and then you'd use a switch to control it on and off?
I'm definitely missing something..lol!
Dave
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Ok, it does in fact come on immediately but you have to "save to device" first before it works! :D
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LOL, well reason it wasnt working for me when I tried was because my LED was loose in the connector LOL. I went into Mach and it still didnt work but found the loose leg and now it does :)
Hood
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boy, it's a good thing you guys put this part of forum up. We're (meaning "I'm" ) going to need it... ;D
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(http://forums.pcper.com/images/smilies/extras/yllol.gif)
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Hi!
Device configuration is stored in PoKeys.
PoKeys software do configuration only and nothing else.
If you want to manage outputs, you should use PoKeys console.exe or C net example.
Look in user manual from page 9.
regards
Boris Zalokar
PoLabs
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Hi Boris,
I was trying to use the console last night but when I click on the icon to start the program, the screen pops up for only a second and then goes away like it's having a problem starting up.
I think I'll try re-downloading the program again and re-installing.
Hood, have you tried using the console yet?
Thanks again, Boris- :)
Dave
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If you want to use console and remain it opened, you should first open console and navigate to PoKeys console.exe
regards
Boris
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Dave, just tried what Boris has said and what you need to do is open command prompt from XP start>All Programs>accessories you can then navigate to the program files\pokeys directory and run pokeys console.exe
I dont have my PoKeys here at the workshop so I can only use in Demo mode but it seems to work.
If you are not familiar with DOS (I am not so really struggle ;) ) what you need to type at the command prompt is cd c:\program files\pokeys (note, make sure there is a space between cd and the rest)
that should get you to the right directory then in the next command just type pokeys console.exe
Hood
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Thanks for the help fellas but let me explain a little clearer with pictures, lol!
I can get to the application window with all the buttons but I can't get to the DOS screen (Pokeys Console) in the screen shot below when I click on the program "PoKeys Console" as shown in the small screen shot of it in the Programs menu.
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Ok, tried something else.
Hood, you told me to type "pokeys console.exe" but I notice in the program folders directory that it's called "pokeysconsole.exe" (no space between words), so I called that up and the Console comes up correctly.
So why doesn't the shortcut work that was provided?
Thanks,
Dave
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Sorry, yes typed it wrong :(
Shortcut probably doesnt work as XP is not a DOS based system but as I know nothing much about the subject I am probably totally wrong :D
Hood
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lol. no worries, I don't use DOS much either and when I do, I usually have to break out the book for that- ;D
Thanks again-
Dave