Messages

1961

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Profile Shape Wizard (multi-shapes)

« on: September 16, 2007, 10:54:37 AM »

If you want an easy to use Lathe CAM get OneCNC XR2 Lathe, it is super simple to use, (like using microsoft office).
the regular I think is around 1500, and pro around 3k...........it has been awhile since I got mine, so I dont know what current prices are.

The current Lathe Wizards (and the ones that I make), all do stuff with G-code based on know shapes. If you get into user dxfs then the profiles will may be other than a sijmpl cirle, elips or what ever.  YOu need to be able to follow the line/curve and for that you would need some CAD/CAM type functionality. Again the programming for that is WAY beyond what I know, and it would need to be done as a stand alone product.

Email Brian and ask him about your needs, Lazy CAM is progressing all the time, he needs your feedback on what you want in lazy cam.
The VB that Mach understands is Cypress Enable which is a scripting laungauge, it is not a full laungauge, to do visual enviroments.

scott

1962

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Profile Shape Wizard (multi-shapes)

« on: September 16, 2007, 01:15:09 AM »

Dalgie,

     Brian is working on the "Lazy Cam" stuff in Mach, I think he has started on the Lathe fuctions as well.

For me, I use a bit of a higher end CAM, I use OneCNC XR2 Lathe Pro, and Mill Expert for all my CAM work.

do create G-code from a CAD file you will need some type of CAM system, the programming involved in CAM is far, far, far, past what I can do.......
there are usefull Lathe shape wizards in the Mach Lathe package.

scott

1963

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: CNC4PC C10-BDBB

« on: September 15, 2007, 03:08:16 PM »

Yes, I use his boards they do well. BUT, note the bi directional is NOT isolated.

1964

Finished Screens / Re: CNC Cut to length Saw Screen and Wizards......

« on: September 14, 2007, 05:51:59 PM »

The CNC Saw was meant as a stand along app. So it is a Mach Screen set, (although, you probably could drop in it the addons and use it as a wizard).
to use it as a stand along, drop a copy of the screen set into Mach 3 main directory. Open up mach, click the view and load screen, the pick the cnc saw and hit ok.

scott

1965

VB and the development of wizards / Re: How to attach VB script to button

« on: September 13, 2007, 09:56:15 PM »

Your Enable Outputs are special outputs, they turn on with mach comming up to enable things once mach is up. Like spindle enables etc.
there are OUTPUTS 1-20

1966

VB and the development of wizards / Re: How to attach VB script to button

« on: September 13, 2007, 09:27:37 PM »

This will also work:

If GetOEMLed (846) Then
  DeActivateSignal(ENABLE1)
Else
   ActivateSignal(ENABLE1)
End If

Further: Open sceen designer (like screen 3 or 4), open the screen in it, goto page 5 the diag page, double click the Enable 1 Led, when the window opens, look up top, and click the button that says "blink" the led. hit OK, and save the screen set. and reopen in mach, but the above VB in your button.

scott

1967

General Mach Discussion / Re: I need help from someone who has installed a Manual Pulse generator

« on: September 12, 2007, 08:13:30 PM »

A few simple checks first:

You have enabled MPG #1
You have ports set on 2 and A and B set to 11,12
you set the counts to around 4 to start or did you use mpg setup dialog?
When you hit the Tab key, and the MPG Jog fly out comes out, is "Jogging enabled"?
You have to hit the "control jog" button and have it cycle from continous, to step and finally make sure you are on MPG
Look at your MPG axis selector lights, make sure you have the correct LED for the axis you want.
Make sure the power, ground and A,B leads all goto you Break out board, and you measure 5v on the power of the MPG.

scott

1968

VB and the development of wizards / Re: ATC VB script example for rotary changer...

« on: September 12, 2007, 11:59:20 AM »

use word wrap

1969

VB and the development of wizards / Re: ATC VB script example for rotary changer...

« on: September 12, 2007, 08:22:00 AM »

Jim,

    Thanks for replying, I saw 33 downloads but no post back, I was beginning to wonder if anyone thought it helpful.

As far as ATC control type, it depends on complexity of the ATC.

For Simple ATC's (like the one posted), there is not alot of I/O, so parallel is fine for it, and if you doing a mill and your C axis is open you can use it there as well just change the tool number in your carracell and add your I/O for your swap motions.

For medium complexity ATC's that have alot of error/checking and other movements I use a DL06.

for Hight complexity ATC's, that have above plus a "read-a-head" swap arm type tool changer (commecial machines), I use a DL06 with 2 motion control modules, the caracell and swap arm are completly independant of mach, after the tool change mach continues machining and the PLC driven ATC continues on with putting back the old tool, and loading the new tool. So Tool change time is about 2-3 seconds for the swap.

You can do a high complexity lathe as well, by having a Turret and a tail stock turret, you can have your turret for your profile and X movement tools, and your tail for your Drills/live holder.

I have a guy in KY, who wants me to retrofit a "Y axis" lathe with live tooling, now THAT is gonna be fun!!!!.........

scott

1970

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC for lathe

« on: September 11, 2007, 02:42:14 PM »

I put a thread on a Generic ATC here:

http://www.artsoftcontrols.com/forum/index.php?topic=4191.new

Scott