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Messages - MillMaster

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1
General Mach Discussion / Re: Video Issue
« on: February 19, 2012, 06:35:50 PM »
I have USB2

2
General Mach Discussion / Video Issue
« on: February 18, 2012, 11:13:26 PM »
When I use the Video Plugin with a usb machine camera in Mach the X & Y axis become unstable and start to jitter while making a move. The only way to get the X & Y axis to move properly after using the video plugin is to exit Mach and restart Mach then everything works fine until I use the video plugin again. It appears like there is some sort of a driver conflict on the usb side of things but I cannot see where the conflict is. The machine camera did not require a driver to work in Mach, just had to plug it in. Has anyone else run into this issue, if so where do I start looking to cure the problem?

3
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 17, 2010, 12:50:39 AM »
Nope never made mention of measuring machined parts for the +/- .0001". My beef is at the control level .. the smoothstepper as it cannot manipulate the g-code correctly, but I see everyone is looking at the machine first and quoting specs, tolerances and steps and how one cannot measure .0001" (there are several measuring tools on the market that will measure .0001", some real low budget import ones also), and if you read Jeff's post he states this issue has nothing to due with the actual smoothstepper, the opposite of what Hood states, so yeah it is somewhat confusing with the info you folks are posting in regards to wether the smoothstepper has an issue or not. Like I say I have not seen another control that connot count and display steps properly to the code that is being run. So now I am curious what other things more important to users that are needed to be worked on first that puts this low on the list?

millmaster

4
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 16, 2010, 11:51:17 AM »
Finally someone admits that there is a problem with the smoothstepper. Now how do we get it fixed?? Why would any problem with the smoothstepper be low on Greg's list?? I see Greg is a moderator for this forum why can't he come on the forum and explain everything from the problem to a fix?

millmaster

5
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 15, 2010, 08:45:19 PM »
I disagree with Jeff about it not being a problem with the smoothstepper, if I run the machine with the parallel port I do not see the leading and lagging on the DROs, when I run the machine with the smoothstepper then the DROs do not match the g-code hence the .0001 lead and lag which leads me to think there is a issue with the smoothstepper. Can you shed some light on that Jeff?
I have three other NC machines, 2 machines have MicroKinetics controllers and the 3rd has a Centroid control, none of these machines have a lead or lag issue, the DROs on them match exactly to what the g-code that is being run at the time (makes for easier troubleshooting g-code issues when things appear to be going sideways), it is just the smoothstepper setup that gives mismatching readings between g-code and DROs, if it was a rounding issue wouldn't other controllers do the same, everything still points to the smoothstepper being the culprit which I think could be made right.

millmaster

6
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 14, 2010, 07:30:05 PM »
Hood,
I have a smoothstepper on a bridgeport style mill with the fourth rotary axis.
millmaster

Jeff and Rich
Can you explain why the DRO rounding issue disappears when I run the mill through a parallel port instead of the smoothstepper?

Rich
Just curious (seeing as you do not have display issues) what are your step settings for the axis on your machines with the smoothstepper?
millmaster

7
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 14, 2010, 09:22:25 AM »
Hey Rich
I think we are looking at a electronic issue here, you are thinking of a mechanical issue with the machine. What mode are you running your machines in? Step and direction or quadrature? The mode will make a difference in what the display shows.

millmaster

8
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper step problem
« on: January 13, 2010, 10:23:07 PM »
Hey cv580
I have the exact same problem with my smoothstepper, I have been told that it is no big deal as it is such a small step and there is more back lash in the axis than what travel the smoothstepper cannot make but I disagree with that thought as we are now working with electronics that can be super super accurate, basically I see what the smoothstepper doing here is a form of electronic backlash. I have talked to other people that are having this issue with the smoothstepper and it is only happening in the step and direction mode, I know one shop that have this issue and they were talking to Warp9 about this and the explanation came back something along the line about it being a problem with the algorithm not being right for the step and direction mode and using a hysteresis for the step and direction mode which is not used for the quadrature mode, from this I gather the smoothstepper is not really designed for step and direction mode. I do hear a lot of comments of it is just a small step and not to be concerned about it, which I do not agree with because here is a product with great potential but it is put on the market as is with no feedback from the machining community then it will remain a half built product that is not right, I do not know of another motion controller on the market today with this sort of lead and lag. I gather that the designer of the smoothstepper is not a machinist and if everyone in the machining world comes across with the attitude of plus or minus .0001" is not a big deal then nothing will be done by Warp9 and you will be stuck with a motion controller that has lead and lag. He has to know what is not working properly, so yeah + or - .0001" steps is a concern for some of us chipmakers. As for support for the smoothstepper from Warp9 I am not sure what their take is on this issue, I understand they are a moderater on this forum maybe they could let us know what their thoughts are! 

millmaster

9
General Mach Discussion / Re: How Do I Change MPG Jog Velocity
« on: December 27, 2009, 11:01:10 PM »
Hood
The pendant is connected to port 2 of the smoothstepper via CNC4PC's C22 interface card.
Millmaster

10
General Mach Discussion / Re: How Do I Change MPG Jog Velocity
« on: December 27, 2009, 04:46:23 PM »
BillC
I checked the config settings and the boxes were allready checked, so I went to Ports and Pins and found the velocity was set at 260 so I set it to 400 and did a recalibrate that did the trick for getting the speed back, but now I am not able to jog in normal mode via keyboard (and touchscreen), the jog off/on switch in Mach appears to work only while holding down the enable button on the pendant which I never had to do before. Any thoughts on this?
Also does your MPG pendant allow an axis to go in a runaway mode if you are jogging in Velocity mode and release the enable button while turning the MPG wheel, the only way to stop the axis when this happens is to cycle the enable button or hit e-stop. Arturo claims there is a bug in Mach causing the runaway mode.
Millmaster

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