Messages

1

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach3 sees home switches but does not stop on homing operation

« on: March 30, 2014, 10:12:57 PM »

That came after doing escapes to stop it from crashing.

When I tell it to home ( x in this case) it starts moving in the appropriate direction. I would manually hit the home switch but it would continue to travel. It should stop and retrace till I let go of the switch.

When using the esc key, it reacts correctly.

The switch is working and mach3 diagnostics see it. It just does not halt/reverse the movement.

You may have noticed Gerry, that I am using the 2010  screens (love it). I did test with straight mach3 screens as we'll and the behavior is e same.

2

SmoothStepper USB / Mach3 sees home switches but does not stop on homing operation

« on: March 30, 2014, 05:55:42 PM »

I am using Mach3, Smoothstepper (USB). I have home switches installed Normally Closed (gnd). Active High. (See attachments)

When I activate the switch (manually), Mach 3 see the home switch. But when I do a home operation, it ignores the home switch.

Help appreciated.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: January 21, 2011, 08:12:20 AM »

[quote author=Tweakie.CNC link=topic=12
I managed to get a chance to try your suggestion, first thing this morning, but unfortunately the M5 introduces turn-off delay.

If you run Tim's code (earlier posting) with the laser set to very low power and drawing on paper or card the result will be like Fig.1 but if you replace the 'M10P1' with 'M5' the result will be like Fig.2. This is a good indication of the turn-off delay without actually resorting to setting up equipment to measure it. Repeating the same test with clear acrylic using M5 shows a deep penetration at the end of each line whereas M10P1 does not.
[/quote]

Thanks for checking this out Tweakie. We can always count on you to jump on anything new and report your findings. It's the reporting that makes it all useful for the rest of us.

tim

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: January 20, 2011, 03:43:33 PM »

Good points on both the M5 and the spin up/down config.

I am currently using a DSP controller for my laser and am planning on building a new laser this winter. When that is done and the DSP is in its new home, I may go back to the old Mach3 controller in the original box and will try both those ideas.

Thanks!

tim

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: September 20, 2009, 05:45:51 PM »

Thank you for the very detailed explanation.
When my laser is finished (in about 6 months time, at the speed I am working) I will give this a try.

I know I always appreciate (and rarely find) complete and detailed answers, so I make it practice to share everything I learn. If it helps you, I'll be happy I spent the time.

When you get further along, feel free to contact me. I am sure I will have new experiences that may save you some time and effort.

tim

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 20, 2009, 11:47:36 AM »

Problems solved. Here is a post that covers everything.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12653.msg82436.html#msg82436

Thanks to all who replied with suggestions.

tim

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: September 20, 2009, 11:43:01 AM »

OK. Took me a couple of hours and some more research on the M10/M11 commands, but here it is what is working for me.

Preconditions:
     1. I already had my laser "fire" confiurged to work with a spindle relay on Output #1.
     2. It was working well with M3/M4 and M5, but had the 500ms delay at the beginning.
     3. M3/M4 turn on the spindle (Laser for me) immediately when encountered.

Changes to make M10/M11 work:
     1. Realize that M11 is ON and M10 is OFF (intuitively backward from the M3/M4, M5 combination.
     2. You have to explicitly specify the Output # (M11P1 turns on output #1, M10P1 turns off output #1)
     3. M10/M11 do NOT execute until there is a subsequent G0/G1.

That 3rd item is what took be a couple of hours to work out. I kept testing with the direct input and my relay never fired because I was not following with a movement command.

So, my code needs to read as follows:

N001 G0 X0.0 Y0.0
N002 M11P1
N003 G1 X1.0 Y0.0
N004 M10P1
N005 G1 X1.0 Y1.0
N006 M11P1
N007 G1 X0.0 Y1.0
N008 M10P1
N009 G0 X0.0 Y0.0
N010 M30

This draws two parallel lines, one from 0,0 to 1,0 and the second from 1,1 to 0,1

Important: Notice line 9 - if you don't make this final move, your M10P1 will not occur, so the laser will not shut off. ALSO, if line 9 were a G0 or G1 that did not actually move the head, then there would be a 500ms delay in turning off, resulting in over burn at the end.

In summary

     M11Px (x= output number) turns my laser ON, but NOT UNTIL the subsequent Movement command.
     M10Px (x= output number) turns my laser OFF, but NOT UNTIL the subsequent Movement command.

The Movement commands that follow the M10Px MUST actually move the head, or there is a delay in turning off the laser.

Like most things in life, seems really simple, once you know the answer, but difficult as heck until you do!

My personal philosophy is once again proven - "Whatever we ardently desire, sincerely believe, vividly imagine, and enthusiastically act upon MUST inevitably come to pass." (Time, effort, and passion make all things possible!)

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 19, 2009, 09:19:38 PM »

You need two macros and you need to name these macros m10.m1s and m11.m1s and place them in the macro folder of the profile you use, for example if its Mach3Mill profile you use then they need placed in C:\Mach3\Macros\Mach3Mill
 Ideally you should use macros named 100 or over for User macros, so if you can use m110.m1s and m111.m1s.
 So to call the macro from code it would be m110 or m111.
What you need in the macros would be, for M110

ActivateSignal(OutPut1)

and for M111

DeActivateSignal(OutPut1)


Hood

Thanks, Hood. I'll look into that - I have not done Macros in Mach3 before, but it is time I learn. (I have 34+ years of computer software design and development - maybe I should have thought of that first.)

A little while ago, I posted the following info, which I will try first, as it is a built in method - rather than me doing it.

"Actually, I believe I have found it, after 5.75 hours of searching. I got the info here: http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,6629.msg43375.html#msg43375

Appearantly, I don't need to do much "special" in Mach3. I already have my "spindle" (laser) relay set to output #1. When you use the M10 or M11, you simply add on a "Px" (x = output number you are using). So, in my case, a M10P1 will turn on the laser and M11P1 will turn it off. Delay is reported to be only 1.5ms instead of 500ms.

I have not tried it yet. (My eyes are tired and brain dead from searching the forum and net for this answer.) Hope to try it tomorrow and will report back."

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: September 19, 2009, 09:12:59 PM »

Just a thought but have you tried the M7 / M5 combination as this has a much smaller delay and is easily configured port and pin in the spindle setup menu.

Tweakie.

Actually, I believe I have found it, after 5.75 hours of searching. I got the info here: http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,6629.msg43375.html#msg43375

Appearantly, I don't need to do much "special" in Mach3. I already have my "spindle" (laser) relay set to output #1. When you use the M10 or M11, you simply add on a "Px" (x = output number you are using). So, in my case, a M10P1 will turn on the laser and M11P1 will turn it off. Delay is reported to be only 1.5ms instead of 500ms.

I have not tried it yet. (My eyes are tired and brain dead from searching the forum and net for this answer.) Hope to try it tomorrow and will report back.

Thanks for answering.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 19, 2009, 12:36:14 PM »

I asked this elsewhere but got no responses. Hoping someone here can help.

I need to know what output config I can use to respond to M10 and M11. These typically support pallet operations, though I want to use it to fire a laser without the usual (M3/M4, M5) delay.

Specifically, "How do I tell Mach3 to respond to M10/M11 with signals to a specified Port 1 pin?"

Alternatively, I am open to any other ideas that will get around the delays associated with spindle command.