Messages

1

Works in progress / Mach3 screen based on PA screen

« on: March 26, 2023, 12:56:49 PM »

Good afternoon!

After enjoying the PA screen for some time, I began looking for a few customizations to fit my machine better. What was planned as a minor adjustment of some buttons and functions is becoming a full functional redesign now.

The graphics and icons were all created in PowerPoint, exported as pictures and then integrated with MachScreen.

Here are some of the biggest differences...

• Added function bar at bottom
• Some simplifications / cleaning up to fit my needs better
• Use of icons to identify functions faster
• Integration of machine alarms (spindle, air pressure, servo feedback)
• Removed the jog functions as I am using a pendant
• Integration of tool magazine

At the moment the main section (page1) is fully functional. Currently I am working on the 30 place tool magazin integration.

Cheers,
André

2

Machscreen Screen Designer / Show image based on condition / tool magazine visualization

« on: March 26, 2023, 12:38:51 PM »

Good afternoon!

How can I display a picture based on a condition?
i.e. based on customDRO value or triggered by VBA change the .png image source for an image object.

Thanks!
André

_

Background of my request: 

I am currently building a custom screen for my machine, inspired by the neat PA screen. My machine will soon get a 30 place chain-style tool magazine and I wanted to integrate it into the screen.

The plan is to take a download from the Fusion360 tool library and import it into Mach3 (working already) whenever there are new tools. Depending on the part I am machining, either the tool is already in the magazin or will be loaded into the magazine. By decoupling tool number and tool position, I will no longer need to fiddle with my Fusion360 tool numbers before exporting.

There is set of 15 PNGs resembling the basic tool type (endmill, ballnose, dovetail, etc.), which I want to display.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: One physical switch as end switch and ref

« on: August 30, 2015, 05:13:48 AM »

Go to Config menu then General Config and change Home SW Safety setting to the opposite of what you have and see if that helps.
Hood

Excellent, thank you very much.
No idea how I could overlook this obvious setting but this has solved the issue!

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: One physical switch as end switch and ref

« on: August 29, 2015, 09:18:25 AM »

I cannot find the error... Mach3 recognizes both switch states but does fire an emergency stop when homing.

My setup:
Z zero is 0 at the highest and 260mm at the lowest point
Z Axis with two inductive switches one on ++ (Bottom of axis) and one on -- (Top of axis)

My configuration
Pins >> Z++ Pin 2, Z-- Pin 3, Z Home Pin 2
Homing&Limits >> SoftMax: 0.00; SoftMin: -260.00, Home NEG and Auto Zero enabled

Homing
When homing, both M3++ Limit and M3Home light up, followed by an immediate emergency stop.

When I disable the home switch under ports and pins, homing works fine.
The end switch functionality in general always works.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: One physical switch as end switch and ref

« on: August 28, 2015, 03:46:37 AM »

Hi Thomas,

Thank you for your reply!

What a coincidence! I am using a CSMIO-S with input port/pin for home and limit set to the same values. With either one of them disabled, homing and limit functions correctly.

Regards,
André

6

General Mach Discussion / One physical switch as end switch and ref

« on: August 27, 2015, 04:54:16 PM »

Hi all!

For two weeks I tried figuring out a solution but no success...
In two of my axis I would like to combine end- and ref switch in one physical switch.

How do I get Mach3 to differentiate between a homeing action and a end switch state? If I define the same pins for both always the end switch function is triggered and the machine goes into reset state. On the other hand I do not want to loose the end switch functionality in case something with the machine goes bad.

Thank you!
André

7

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Lock Settings with Macro

« on: January 14, 2015, 07:33:48 AM »

Very clever idea, thank you for this hint!
What does this do to the hardware buttons, e.g. the cycle start?

Alternatively I could use a relay to cut the buttons from the minus pin ;-)

André

8

VB and the development of wizards / Lock Settings with Macro

« on: January 12, 2015, 02:40:46 PM »

Hi guys,

I plan to equip my MACH3 driven mill with a control panel to have my most used functions on hard buttons.

At the same time it would be great to have a software locking mechanism if I am not around and the machine is hot.
Is there a possibility to lock the screen and prevent people from making changes to settings (also) using the hardware buttons without influencing the running program or general state of the machine?

I still had a 3 position key switch at hand.

AUTO - All buttons except potentiometers for manual feed and spindle override
0 - Screen locked, buttons locked
MANUAL -  All buttons plus potentiometers allowed

Thank you very much in advance!
André