Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: On screen interface - Axis 4

« on: January 26, 2016, 08:51:04 AM »

Mach3.

I'll try out the Six Axis screen.

Appreciated.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: On screen interface - Axis 4

« on: January 25, 2016, 10:50:51 PM »

I think I'd need to load in a new ( downloaded ) screen for this or build my own in a screen designer program?

Looks like Mach 4 enables editing within the program but from what I can find I'll need to download or develop a new screen.

Appreciated

3

General Mach Discussion / On screen interface - Axis 4

« on: January 25, 2016, 03:23:11 PM »

I'm looking for some help getting an on-screen visual of a fourth axis coordinates.

I've added a fifth motor to my setup under Axis B ( with Axis A being slave to X )
I'd like to be able to visually locate the changes in coordinates of this additional motor in the Axis 4 coordinate bar.
( as in the box between the 'Zero 4' button and Radius Correct, in the Program Run tab )
I can find this in the REF B of the Diagnostics tab but cannot locate it elsewhere.

How can I configure things to register the movements of Axis B within this box?

thanks

4

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Adding second driver or port to Mach 3

« on: January 09, 2016, 10:00:17 PM »

Resolved then?

Is it just an issue with the LED not displaying the state change?

5

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Adding second driver or port to Mach 3

« on: January 08, 2016, 10:15:07 PM »

In Config you could test each pin as an Estop.  It would mean testing one by one. 

You may have a problem seeing the results in the on screen interface ( as I've had with the outputs - relays turning on/off with no display ) but it may in fact be reading it.  You could enter in the various pins as an E Stop and test them.  When input is triggered it will stop the program ( if working ).

It would take a while to work through them but it would ensure the BOB, cable, and input switches are all wired correctly and working properly.  Then it would be a matter of the type of card or how things are configured on the whole.

6

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Adding second driver or port to Mach 3

« on: January 08, 2016, 09:17:25 PM »

Not knowing the exact layout it's hard to give much helpful feedback.  Something I could suggest:

Test the inputs you want to run on Port2 against the factor port, Port1.  Configure the pins as you would but addressed to Port 1.  ( ie. plug your parallel port cable into Port 1 and run the input tests ).  If it works then it might be an issue with your second Parallel Port Card.  If it doesn't work it then it might be the configuration ( but it wouldn't illimitable other issues being a possibility )

You may have caught that already but there's different types of port cards ( ECP, EPP, SPP )  EPP is for non-printer peripherals. ECP is for printers and scanners.  I forget which I got first and which one replaced it as it's been awhile since setting that up.  I think EPP was the one that ended up working.  I'd suggest checking to make sure you have the right type.

Not sure how helpful that is?

Good luck with it.

7

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Adding second driver or port to Mach 3

« on: January 08, 2016, 08:28:29 PM »

Is the 'nine inputs' nine grounded limit switches or similar connected to pin 13?  I'm not sure I'm following the nature of the problem?

What do you have setup?
What are the issues that come up?

8

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Adding second driver or port to Mach 3

« on: January 08, 2016, 06:14:11 PM »

My bad.  This has been resolved.  It took a few months between shipping parts and actually finding time to test things out.  Given the time lapsed I had forgotten about this original post.

- I ordered and shipped a second parallel port card which subsequently did not work.
- I then found a different parallel port card that would work.  ( I don't have the card model on hand but can add that if someone finds themselves needing it. )
- After some work this has been set up to run a second driver. 
- a stepper motor is being run under AXIS A in Mach 3
- AXIS B is setup as a slave axis on the GECKO 540
- With AXIS B being slave I have AXIS A displayed as AXIS 4 on the interface screen of Mach3 ( if memory serves me right Axis A defaults to Axis 4 on screen which is why I be the slave axis B )

One of the issues that has come up with the second port is a limit to what can be visualized on the interface screen.

- With the one axis being slave I can have the fifth motor display under AXIS 4 on screen.  However if any additional axis are added I'm not sure how I'd see their movement on screen ( axis 5, axis 6, ... )
- The other issue was that changes to OUTPUT ( turning ON and OFF some relays ) isn't reflected on the OUTPUTS of the 'Diagnostic Screen'

Thanks for following up on this post and pardon the delay in posting an update.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port for PCI bus that works with Mach3 - just passing along info

« on: May 21, 2015, 06:51:27 AM »

I ended up changing the parallel port and went with a fifth motor on that.  I don't have the BOB installed anymore so I'm going on memory.

I believe I used an external 5vdc power supply for the BOB.  I think you'd likely blow something if it were supplied inline through a parallel port pin ( unless the motor is incredibly small the current needed for the motor would be too high)

The control of the BOB was through the parallel port pins.

I believe I also shared the ground between the external power supply and the parallel port.  I forget the reason but there can be communication issues if there is more than one power source controlling electronics.  Sharing ground solves that.

Does this help?

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: AC dimmer via Mach3

« on: March 11, 2015, 09:43:10 AM »

Hook a SMALL stepper to a stock dimmer switch. Use an axis to control.

Easy Peasy, (;-) TP

  Hear, hear!  What a great idea.  It's like an extra set of hands.  Nice one.