Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 24, 2012, 06:40:44 PM »

Thanks for the explanation.  So if I could generate signals to THCup and THCdown with great precision, would you say that this would give me precise control over the Z movement?  Because I can generate signals that are good to better than a microsecond very easily (meaning THCup for X microseconds, pause for Y microseconds, THCdown for X microseconds, pause for Y microseconds, repeat).  If X and Y are stable values, do you think I can get exact repeatability, same as if I did G code to move up and then back down over and over?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 24, 2012, 03:31:44 PM »

Well, I can see why you think I should stick to doing this via a pre-processor!

I am curious though - I am using Mach3 to generate step and direction signals that go to a Gecko stepper motor controller.  How are you getting from the THCup/down to actually driving the Z stepper?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 24, 2012, 09:45:06 AM »

Do tell!  ;-)

Thanks for working on this.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 22, 2012, 11:56:54 AM »

Is there a way to get a brain to issue a Z move command, or to generate pulse and direction outputs directly to the Z axis?  That had been our original thought.

Thanks. 

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 22, 2012, 09:10:58 AM »

Thanks for trying.  You mentioned that you did it with a CB thread - would that be a macro pump, or a brain?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 21, 2012, 10:06:33 PM »

Thanks, I know I can do this by pre-processing my G code, but there are various reasons why I still want to be able to just turn the Z oscillation on and off with an M code.  Earlier in this thread you pointed me in the direction of using the M7 code to trigger a brain that does the oscillating.  i am stuck in the two ways I mentioned: can't seem to trigger the brain from the Mist On LED, and can't seem to find a way to trigger a Z move from within the brain.  If anyone has a clue about either issue I would greatly appreciate hearing it.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: October 21, 2012, 06:30:08 PM »

> Let us know IF you get stuck, (;-) TP

Well, here I am over a year later finally trying to implement this (don't ask)... AND... I am stuck.

I set myself the simpler task of, upon an M7 Mist On code, moving the Z axis by any amount.  I ran into two problems:

1) I first set up a brain that works exactly like the sample brain in the intro to brains tutorial video.  That brain sets output 2 if the X feed rate is greater than zero.  All I did was change the input from X Feed Rate to Mist On.  The brain broke.  When I watch it in the viewer I can see that the input block shows Mist Coolant On is 1 when I enter an M7 code, however the Compare Immediate lobe fails to light up. 

2) I then decided to try modifying the output side, so that on X Feed Rate > 0 the Z axis would start moving.  I cannot figure out what sort of termination block to create to do that.  I tried for example to issue a Jog Z Right button press, which resulted in no movement when I started the X axis moving.  Perhaps this is because the jog buttons are ignored when G code is running?  In any event, I am not sure how I should be getting the Z axis to move in tandem with ongoing X/Y movements coming from my G code.

I appreciate any help anyone can provide...

Thanks.

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: September 21, 2011, 06:23:23 AM »

Okay, will do.  I am wondering about one thing though.  Earlier you wrote that, while you thought Z oscillation was likely to be impossible, Mach has some tricks up its sleeve.  Then we got onto this discussion about brains, and you gave me your ideas related to that.  Were these the tricks you were referring to, or did you have something else in mind that you haven't even mentioned yet?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: September 20, 2011, 08:01:41 PM »

Wow, you have spent all this time answering my dumb-ass question as a volunteer.  Thanks!  Can I buy you a virtual beer?    I don't see a smiley for that, unfortunately.

I THINK I understand enough now that I may be able to create a brain to do this.  We'll see!

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Oscillating bit in Z axis to equalize tool wear

« on: September 20, 2011, 11:36:05 AM »

Okay, this is cool!  Thanks for your help.  Is that note from Art available somewhere I can get at it?  I assume you work at ArtSoft...

You used two acronyms that I don't know - CB and M7.  Would you mind defining them, or just say RTFM and I'll go dig in the docs/videos if they're defined there (perhaps a hint as to which M to go RTF would be nice ;-).