Messages

1

PoKeys / Re: unable to obtain maximum scan rate

« on: April 16, 2017, 06:13:46 PM »

Missed that detail....  Good luck with it.

2

PoKeys / Re: unable to obtain maximum scan rate

« on: April 16, 2017, 12:00:05 PM »

This may be irrelevant to your question, but I noticed all error inputs are lit up, and I saw that yesterday. You have "external pulse generator" selected, but NOT "Extended I/O".  I ran into that yesterday when things wouldn't work.  The 57cnc manual says "Pulse generator options: PoKeys57CNC contains an external pulse generator on-board, thus external pulse generator option with ‘Extended IO’ must be selected."

3

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys57CNC, spindle speed measurement jumps like hell

« on: April 09, 2017, 02:47:06 PM »

Hi Carsten.  I'm designing a control for a mill, and thinking a lot about EMI and ground loops.  You've gone after both of those with your optocoupler and low pass filter.  I'd bet the Schmitt trigger wasn't crucial, but certainly doesn't hurt! When I looked at the scope traces, It seemed to me like there was a halo effect, and that maybe it was high frequency noise... I'm thinking you might be seeing EMI from the VFD.??  Although you did say it was bad when you turned the spindle by hand.... Hmmm.

Anyway, great to see a real-world noise problem, and an effective solution. Nice work and thanks for sharing it.

Ray 

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 in Windows 10 needs Windows 8 Compatibility Mode

« on: March 23, 2017, 04:47:58 PM »

Steve...  I ran into this in demo mode with the simulator and with the PMDX plug-in. Did a number of installs today to verify the problem and the fix.  I also  installed the same version today in a fresh Windows 7 and had no problems at all.  That led me to try the compatibility troubleshooter in Win 10, which solved the issue for me.  (Also, I did both of these as VMware virtual machines on a Mac...so there is a small chance that was a factor. In actual use I'll have a dedicated Windows PC).

And hey, I found your site very helpful on Mach4 system requirements.  Looking forward to trying out a PMDX 424 with my ClearPath servos.

Ray

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach 4 in Windows 10 needs Windows 8 Compatibility Mode

« on: March 23, 2017, 02:55:01 PM »

Mach4 is almost Windows 10 compatible... at least for me.  It runs great the first time after installation, but won't restart after once exiting it. Windows says the task is running... but Mach is not visible on the screen... I just see the desktop as it was before I started Mach.  If you try to start it again, you get the message that Mach is already running.

Solution:  Before you start Mach the 1st time (or just restart Windows) right click on the Mach4Mill (or whatever flavor you're using) icon on your desktop, and select "Troubleshoot compatibility".  Windows will analyze the Mach4 program. Then select "Try recommended settings".  It will recommend Windows compatibility mode: Windows 8.  Select "Test the Program".  Mach4 comes up just fine (a couple loading warning messages may be seen... but they say the operation completed OK).  Now exit Mach4, and you are back on the troubleshooting window.  Click on "next", and select "Save these settings". 

Now just click on Mach4Mill, and it starts up normally every time. Hope this helps somebody else!

6

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / 100KHz Driver Test

« on: February 23, 2008, 02:14:03 PM »

The lockdown version of Mach3 contains the old DriverTest.exe file...limited to 25KHz.  Should the new one be there??  It wasn't obvious to me to look in the Beta download...but then I'm new at this.   By the way...the new one is a great tool !

Thanks, Ray Brubaker