Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving Mach 3 to a new computer

« on: February 12, 2013, 05:19:12 PM »

What's the ACTUAL name of the XML folder I should copy and paste? I see one named "MachXML" whose properties say it's an Allpication. Is that the one? Or is it the one named Mach3Mill whose properties say it's an XML document? "Mach3Mill" is  also the name of the "shortcut" I use to launch Mach 3.

2

General Mach Discussion / Moving Mach 3 to a new computer

« on: February 12, 2013, 10:05:25 AM »

Is there an XML file or some other file I can copy from the old computer and paste to the new computer that will "migrate" all my settings and pin designations (home, limit, touch probe, etc sw's)?

3

General Mach Discussion / Verified Auto Tool Zero for Ver .032, SmoothStepper, G540

« on: November 23, 2009, 04:32:30 PM »

I've been harping about the "lack" of a usable Auto Tool Zero for the newer versions of Mach 3 for some time now.  I'm thinking I'm the only one who was having issues!!!  HEHE Well, I finally found a VB script that works. Three notes on setting this up: 1) Add your Z plate/probe height to the distance you want to retract and enter that value in the "Change the Z retract heght here..." line; 2) This works with the standard Mach screen - I don't know if it will work with other screens; 3) input signal High/Low for the probe input must be correct or you won't get past the "Z plate is grounded" message

CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate.
PlateThickness =2.040

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P3" 'Time to get to the z-plate, 3 seconds
Code "G90 G31 Z-2 F4" ' probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving()
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G1 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, PlateThickness)
Sleep(120)
Code "G0 Z2.785" 'Change the Z retract height here to what you want, must be higher than touch plate
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feedrate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)"
End If
Exit Sub   

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: November 23, 2009, 04:24:38 PM »

Hello, everyone,
     I'm Gary McFarlane, Oklahoma City, USA.  I've been running Mach 3 for a little over a year now and LOVE IT! I just upgraded my 42" x 32" home-built router to the Soigeneris SmoothStepper/G540 dirver and am very impressed.  I had been running with HobbyCNC's board but it proved too unreliable for my use.  I use my router mainly for doing custom cutting board inlays - names and such. I use BobCad/Cam for the drawing work. I'm a "well informed user" and can figure out just about any problem, given enough time, with all the different aspects of CNC but have not graduated into modifying screens and such.  I keep plenty busy producing cutting boards and really don't have any need to dig into all the different options of Mach 3, different screens, Mod Bus (do't even know what that is) and other things.

5

SmoothStepper USB / All issues resolved!

« on: November 23, 2009, 04:11:35 PM »

Jeff, thanks for the quick responses.  I figured out all the issues.  I found a script that makes Auto Tool Zero work perfectly with Ver .032, SmoothStepper and the G540.  I also remembered where the jog speed settings were "hiding" early this morning.  Thanks again for the great driver! And the external spindle relay.  Your products are FIRST RATE!  Here is the VB script for a good, reliable Auto Tool Zero, but with three notes: 1) Add your Z plate/probe height to the distance you want to retract and enter that value in the "change the Z retract height" line 2) This works for the standard Mach screen, I don't know if it will work with any others 3) Input High or Low muxt be correct for the style of plate/probe being used - if not correct, you won't get past the "Z plate is already grounded" error message
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate.
PlateThickness =2.040

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P3" 'Time to get to the z-plate, 3 seconds
Code "G90 G31 Z-2 F4" ' probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving()
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G1 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, PlateThickness)
Sleep(120)
Code "G0 Z2.785" 'Change the Z retract height here to what you want, must be higher than touch plate
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feedrate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)"
End If
Exit Sub   

6

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 22, 2009, 07:15:04 PM »

I am "cheating" for now.  I'm using input #4 as the probe input.  I see the "Digitize" LED react to the probe on the Diagnostics screen(dark with the probe unactivated, lit with it activated).  Electrically, the probe is working fine but the Auto Tool Zero doesn't run the VB script at all.  The script I posted is the same I was using with ver .032 and the Hobby CNC parallel port set-up and it worked perfectly.  Now all I get is a Dwell indication for about 2 seconds then nothing at all.  No Z movement, no status change, nothing.

7

SmoothStepper USB / SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 22, 2009, 05:05:20 PM »

First of all, kudos to Jeff for a KILLER product!  The STDR-4C driver kicks butt! I had an issue iwth SmoothStepper's config not saving my values but reloaded the drivers, profile and XML and we're cooking with gas.  Two issues I don't know how to solve - 1) How do I get the Mach3 Jog Speed functionality back?  I really liked the "half speed - full speed" feature that I had with Mach 3 using the parallel port.  Now, the jog speed is "tied" to the motor max velocity and I cna't figure out how to get half spped with just the jog key and full speed with "Shift/jog key." And now my Auto Tool Zero is DEAD! It worked like a champ using this VB script:
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)
PlateThickness =2.040
ProbeFeed = 5

Code "G90 F" &ProbeFeed

If GetOemLed(825)=0 Then
Code "G4 P3"
Code "G31Z-5 F" &ProbeFeed
Code "G4 P0.25"
While IsMoving()
Sleep(100)
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving()
Sleep(100)
Wend
Call SetDro (2,PlateThickness)
Sleep(100)
Code "G4 P0.5"
Code "G0 Z2.290"
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
Else
Code "(Z-plate is already activated)"
Exit Sub
End If 
 - but now it just initiates a short dwell then nothing. Anyone have a "new" Auto Tool Zero script that works with version .032 and SmoothStepper???

8

General Mach Discussion / PLEASE! .. do something to standardize Auto Tool Zero!!! (beg beg)

« on: November 11, 2009, 07:47:15 AM »

Chaoticone and ger 21,
     Since you are the only Mach3 moderators/administrators who seem interested in Auto Zero, I'm BEGGING you to develop a workable Auto Tool Zero script for us all to use. Preferably one that has a parameter for different, easy, touch-off pad dimension entries. I'd been using one of the old ATZ scripts for over a year and was very happy with it but now, with the newer versions (.029 and .032), it doesn't work any more.  I tried the "latest" one posted by Chaoticone and it doesn't get the plate thickness properly.  I don't know if it's based on a different screen set than the normal (Oem) Mach screens and don't know enough about "getting" data from screens to figure out if the path to the "PlateThickness = GetUserDRO(1151)" is incorrent for a standard Mach screenset or what. It operates OK but Z DRO is never correct for my tool plate thickness.  Where do I enter the plate thickness dimension to get this to work?  I've tried putting my the plate thickness in the Settings window (tool gage height) but that doesn't work.  Please, please help us "non-screenset developers" to get this to work!!!!!

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Zero Quit working after .029 install!

« on: November 08, 2009, 05:03:32 AM »

I was using the Auto Tool Zero and very happy with it unti I installed build .029.  Now it is so unpredicatble I can't use it anymore.  Sometimes it retracts over an inch, or feeds down an inch after touching the probe plate. Other times it doesn't advance more that .o1 or so the stops and reprots "Z is now zeroed." Anyone know what's different between the old version and the new version that caused this? Anyone got a new VB script that works reliably with the newer versions?

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Support Question: Motors stall after powering down during long perpendicular run

« on: August 11, 2009, 02:41:35 PM »

I half agree, Rich.  Hobby CNC's boards, stepper motors and kits made it possible for me to get involved in CNC without breaking the bank.  Overall, I've been quite happy with the value for the money.  Except for my choosing to use current reduction to keep the motors cooler and putting up with the intermittent lost steps, everything has worked just the way it was described.  I do wish Dave would be more willing to entertain customer suggestions and give his customers the options that are out there from other users, but for the money, there's not too many better "starter" approaches.