Topics

1

Galil / Yaskawa amp enable

« on: February 03, 2012, 10:03:37 AM »

After reading the yaskawa Sigma-5 servo manual, and confirming with a yaskawa engineer, I learned that 11 VDC-24 VDC can be used for the amp enable circuit.  What this meant to me was a drastic simplification in wiring.  I am using 12V from the DMC board for amp enable, and now my connectors are a single cable, from the galil axis to the CN-1.  Drives are working great with this configuration.

Didn't know where else to put this.  This is great news for me, so I thought I would share it.

Rob

2

Galil / Anyone using Galil in stepper mode?

« on: December 17, 2011, 10:58:15 AM »

  I am getting ready to return from Afghanistan and finish up my machine build.  I had been experimenting with position mode and torque mode (DMC-4080), with poor results.  However, that was because I had crippled the Galil by releasing the precious smoke. Galil is fixed now.   I would prefer position mode, as it enhances my servo-drives' ability to handle the load.

That being said, is anyone here using position mode (stepper mode)?

What kind of performance are you getting from the galil with regard to stepper mode?

Thanks!

Rob

3

Galil / Crazy @$$ MPG

« on: December 31, 2010, 05:28:35 AM »

I have a strange occurrence happening, and wanted to see if someone could help me trouble shoot it.

I am using a generic MPG with multiple switches, 2 lights, and a 100 ct encoder (400 in quadrature).  Galil seems to like it, as all of the buttons, switches, lights and even the encoder work just fine... until I enable my drives.  Once the drives are enabled (and only when the drives are enabled), the encoder (mapped through the H axis) begin to count backwards with no wheel movement.  I extended the mpg cable with some high quality shielded cable.  I have checked all of the pins, and nothing is shorted to the shielding.  All buttons and switches behave just fine, even during the error.  The encoder works great until the drives are enabled.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?  I will be digging deeper tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone had some wisdom to share.

Cheers!

Rob

4

Galil / Bulletproof ethernet settings

« on: December 29, 2010, 12:01:03 PM »

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has seen a guide to configuring the network card, and Ethernet parameters for talking to a Galil card.  I have read the plugin documentation, but I believe I am lacking some fundamental understanding.

I would like to use a static IP address, but I do not know what to put in the subnet mask, default gateway, or DNS server settings.  Any help will be appreciated.  My galil card does not seem to want to stay connected when I try to use the scope and tuner.

5

Galil / Position or torque mode?

« on: December 29, 2010, 11:56:41 AM »

I am currently setting up a DMC 4080 to interface with Yaskawa sigma-5 servos.  I have the choice of Velocity, Torque, or position (step and dir) control.  I have been told that velocity control mode will be the worse, since the drives have features that will try to tune the servo as well.  I have hear that torque control should work, as many of the drives' features are disabled in this mode.  I do also have the capability of using position control.  This would allow some of the drives features to make the system better.
I have hooked up the drives using velocity and torque mode. The torque mode appeared to be the most stable, but remember, I have little experience with the galil and tuning in general.  This was also without any load applied.

So, what method of control do you guys think would have the most merit?

Thanks,

Rob

6

Galil / Another gantry mode limit switch question

« on: December 15, 2010, 06:15:28 PM »

Hi,

I have slaved the D axis to the X axis, in order to drive a gantry. I have a limit switch hooked up for testing, through the X axis wiring on the galil. Whenever I activate the X axis limit switch, the D-Axis limit switches light up with the X axis limit switch (on the Mach diagnostic screen). The D axis limit switch is not hooked up at all. Why is this?

My second question is regarding the home sequence for a slaved gantry. If the gantry is bolted together "square", and I press home, will it be able to find both gantry home switches (X and D), without racking my gantry?  Ideally, I would like to home to an index on both axis, so that once I do square the gantry (initial machine setup), it would stay that way.

I wish there was a little more documentation on this. Galil documentation for the homing routines are okay, but I am not sure what applies to the Mach Galil plugin. Thank you for your help!

Rob

7

VB and the development of wizards / first post, Toolchanger works

« on: May 20, 2010, 10:42:11 PM »

Greetings, Mach Fans!

  I am working on a tool change macro for a Gantry style CNC router with a tool rack.  I started with Brian's tool change macro, and tried to build upon it.  I finally go it to do the correct motions I need.  Will need some further configuration of outputs, dwell times, and speeds.  I wanted to run this past the experts, and see if anyone has any tips on how do do this more efficiently. 
  I am including a picture of my non-standard tool grip configuration, to explain some (not all) of my madness.  I will have two spindles mounted to the Z carriage, fixed relative to each other.  Tool change will be simultaneous for both spindles, and they will be operating with identical tools (mass production... yay!)  By positioning/spacing the tools on a rack this way, I will be saving space, as well as allowing for the simultaneous tool change.
  It will be about two months before I will put power to this machine.  Thank you to any and all who have comments on this matter.  It is much appreciated.

Rob


'ToolChange Macro For Bed type tool changer 11/05 Brian (Butchered by novice)
Sub Main()
OldTool = GetOEMDRO (1200) 'Tool In spindle DRO You must add this to your settings screen
x = GetToolChangeStart( 0 )
y = GetToolChangeStart( 1 )
z = GetToolChangeStart( 2 )
a = GetToolChangeStart( 3 )
b = GetToolChangeStart( 4 )
c = GetToolChangeStart( 5 )
tool = GetSelectedTool()
NewTool = tool                         
NewTool = GetSelectedTool()
 
'Tool Changer Macro (Bed Type)

MaxToolNum = 17      'Max number off tools for the changer
ToolDown   = 0 'Z Pos to Get or drop a tool
ToolUp     = 11.0    'Z Hieght to Rapid from tool to tool

If NewTool = OldTool Then
Exit Sub
End If

While NewTool > MaxToolNum
NewTool = Question ("Enter New Tool Number up to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend

ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Dust boot up
Code "G00 G53 Z" & ToolUp
While IsMoving()
Sleep 100
Wend
Call MovePos(OldTool) 'Move to toolchanger rack, offset from clip point
While IsMoving()
Sleep 100
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown
While IsMoving()
Sleep 100
Wend
Call ClipMove(OldTool) 'Old tool, clipping into the tool fork
While IsMoving()
Sleep 100
Wend

ActivateSignal(Output2) 'Spindle tool grip release
Code "G4 P1"    'Wait for the tool to release
Code "G00 G53 Z" & ToolUp
While IsMoving
Wend'insert SystemWaitFor (4) 'Wait for the spindle tool sensor 1 SystemWaitFor (5) 'Wait for the spindle tool sensor 2
Call MovePosAct1(NewTool)
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown 'We are on new tool now
While IsMoving()
Wend
DeActivateSignal(Output2) 'Spindle grips tool
Code "G4 P1.0"    'Wait for the tool to Clamp
Call UnClipMove(NewTool)
While IsMoving
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolUp
Call SetUserDRO (1200,NewTool)
SetCurrentTool( NewTool )
DeactivateSignal(Output3) ' dust boot down
Code "G00 X" & x & " Y" & y 'Move back to where the tool change was prompted
End Sub

Sub MovePos(ByVal OldTool As Integer)

Select Case OldTool
       Case Is = 1
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 3
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 8
         Xpos = -9.250
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 9
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 10
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 4
       Case Is = 11
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 4
       Case Is = 12
         Xpos = -9.25
         YPos = 4.00
       Case Is = 17
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 4.00
End Select

Code "G53 X" & XPos & "Y" & YPos

End Sub

Main

Sub MovePosAct(ByVal OldTool As Integer)

Select Case OldTool
       Case Is = 1
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 3
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 8
         Xpos = -9.250
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 9
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 10
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 11
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 12
         Xpos = -9.25
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 17
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 7
End Select

Code "G53 X" & XPos & "Y" & YPos

End Sub

Main

Sub MovePosAct1(ByVal NewTool As Integer)

Select Case NewTool
       Case Is = 1
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 3
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 8
         Xpos = -9.250
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 9
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 10
         Xpos = -15.5
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 11
         Xpos = -12.375
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 12
         Xpos = -9.25
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 17
         Xpos = -6.125
         YPos = 7
End Select

Code "G53 X" & XPos & "Y" & YPos

End Sub

Main

Sub ClipMove(ByVal OldTool As Integer)

Select Case OldTool
       Case Is = 1
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 3
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 8
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 9
         YPos = 13
       Case Is = 10
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 11
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 12
         YPos = 7
       Case Is = 17
         YPos = 7
End Select       
       
Code "G53 Y" & YPos

End Sub

Main

Sub UnClipMove(ByVal NewTool As Integer)

Select Case NewTool
       Case Is = 1
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 3
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 8
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 9
         YPos = 16
       Case Is = 10
         YPos = 4
       Case Is = 11
         YPos = 4
       Case Is = 12
         YPos = 4
       Case Is = 17
         YPos = 4
End Select         

       
       
Code "G53 Y" & YPos

End Sub

Main