Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Moving Mach 3 to a new computer

« on: February 12, 2013, 10:05:25 AM »

Is there an XML file or some other file I can copy from the old computer and paste to the new computer that will "migrate" all my settings and pin designations (home, limit, touch probe, etc sw's)?

2

General Mach Discussion / Verified Auto Tool Zero for Ver .032, SmoothStepper, G540

« on: November 23, 2009, 04:32:30 PM »

I've been harping about the "lack" of a usable Auto Tool Zero for the newer versions of Mach 3 for some time now.  I'm thinking I'm the only one who was having issues!!!  HEHE Well, I finally found a VB script that works. Three notes on setting this up: 1) Add your Z plate/probe height to the distance you want to retract and enter that value in the "Change the Z retract heght here..." line; 2) This works with the standard Mach screen - I don't know if it will work with other screens; 3) input signal High/Low for the probe input must be correct or you won't get past the "Z plate is grounded" message

CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate.
PlateThickness =2.040

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P3" 'Time to get to the z-plate, 3 seconds
Code "G90 G31 Z-2 F4" ' probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving()
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G1 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, PlateThickness)
Sleep(120)
Code "G0 Z2.785" 'Change the Z retract height here to what you want, must be higher than touch plate
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feedrate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)"
End If
Exit Sub   

3

SmoothStepper USB / SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 22, 2009, 05:05:20 PM »

First of all, kudos to Jeff for a KILLER product!  The STDR-4C driver kicks butt! I had an issue iwth SmoothStepper's config not saving my values but reloaded the drivers, profile and XML and we're cooking with gas.  Two issues I don't know how to solve - 1) How do I get the Mach3 Jog Speed functionality back?  I really liked the "half speed - full speed" feature that I had with Mach 3 using the parallel port.  Now, the jog speed is "tied" to the motor max velocity and I cna't figure out how to get half spped with just the jog key and full speed with "Shift/jog key." And now my Auto Tool Zero is DEAD! It worked like a champ using this VB script:
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)
PlateThickness =2.040
ProbeFeed = 5

Code "G90 F" &ProbeFeed

If GetOemLed(825)=0 Then
Code "G4 P3"
Code "G31Z-5 F" &ProbeFeed
Code "G4 P0.25"
While IsMoving()
Sleep(100)
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving()
Sleep(100)
Wend
Call SetDro (2,PlateThickness)
Sleep(100)
Code "G4 P0.5"
Code "G0 Z2.290"
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
Else
Code "(Z-plate is already activated)"
Exit Sub
End If 
 - but now it just initiates a short dwell then nothing. Anyone have a "new" Auto Tool Zero script that works with version .032 and SmoothStepper???

4

General Mach Discussion / PLEASE! .. do something to standardize Auto Tool Zero!!! (beg beg)

« on: November 11, 2009, 07:47:15 AM »

Chaoticone and ger 21,
     Since you are the only Mach3 moderators/administrators who seem interested in Auto Zero, I'm BEGGING you to develop a workable Auto Tool Zero script for us all to use. Preferably one that has a parameter for different, easy, touch-off pad dimension entries. I'd been using one of the old ATZ scripts for over a year and was very happy with it but now, with the newer versions (.029 and .032), it doesn't work any more.  I tried the "latest" one posted by Chaoticone and it doesn't get the plate thickness properly.  I don't know if it's based on a different screen set than the normal (Oem) Mach screens and don't know enough about "getting" data from screens to figure out if the path to the "PlateThickness = GetUserDRO(1151)" is incorrent for a standard Mach screenset or what. It operates OK but Z DRO is never correct for my tool plate thickness.  Where do I enter the plate thickness dimension to get this to work?  I've tried putting my the plate thickness in the Settings window (tool gage height) but that doesn't work.  Please, please help us "non-screenset developers" to get this to work!!!!!

5

General Mach Discussion / Windows Processes Cleanuup checklist?

« on: February 26, 2009, 06:54:47 AM »

Where can I find the checklist/instructions for cleaning up the Windows XP "startup" processes?  I have been running Mach 3 for over a year and am not having issues with "Driver Watchdog Triggered" coming up on a regular basis.  I want to check the processes to make sure something hasn't started running again.  Anyone have any suggestions if cleaning up the processes doesn't help?

6

General Mach Discussion / Posting a Screen shot?

« on: August 08, 2008, 05:39:32 PM »

I've been using Mach 3 for a couple of months now and I am THOROUGHLT IMPRESSED!  It's a really fantastic application.  The best $150 I've spent in a long time!  I've got a little bit of a peculiar issue and I'm not even sure how to describe it.  I would like to post a screen shot of my g-code file's toolpath (that shows in the toolpath display) so you all can see what it's doing but I don't know how to get a screen shot out of Mach 3.  I'm trying to cut a nice nameplate for a friend and the display shows the "table" about 7 inches to the negative direction.  None of my other g-code does this.  Help!  I've gone through the g-code file manually and can't see any "-7" X axis command lines so I'm a little stumped.

7

General Mach Discussion / COMPLETE SUCCESS - HOBBYCNC, CNC4PC and MACH 3!

« on: June 05, 2008, 10:04:45 AM »

Today's a GREAT day!  I'm building a new CNC router and everything's finally running!  I've got 2 HOBBYCNC 3-axis PRO boards hooked up through a CNC4PC "C1" board and all working with MACH 3.  The CNC4PC board's driving the PRO boards and serving as the input (home/limit/probe) connection.  One of the PRO boards is connected through its DB25 connector to the CNC4PC's DB25, driving X, Y, and Z 305 oz-in motors.  The second PRO board is connected through its DB25 connector to the CNC4PC board's terminals, driving a second X motor and the A motor.  I had to reverse the "default" step pins to take advantage of the CNC4PC's high speed opto-isolators but that was the only quirk in the whole setup.  The motors absolutely scream and are smooth as silk.  Had a little "mental block" about the MACH 3 "active low" selection for the step and direction pins but got some excellent guidance from Dave to use "active high" with the PRO boards.  The current reduction works as advertised and all the home/limit/probe inputs show up in MACH 3 like they should.  Now to fine-tune the home back-off settings and the soft limits............  For a guy who didn't know anything about CNC a year ago, the info, guidance and arrangement of all the elements (MACH 3, HOBBYCNC and CNC4PC) has been a revelation!