Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Jogging while config screen up

« on: July 28, 2011, 07:59:56 AM »

Home built router, smoothstepper interface to 2 breakout boards. Latest mach lockdown, latest SS driver and plugin.

I noticed while tuning my A Axis that when I bring up the motor tuning dialog (or any configuration dialog) I can jog any axis at full speed once. I am using the XBox controller but I can also duplicate this with a wired MPG. So, I reference all axes, then go to the motor tuning dialog to input accelleration and velocity and accidentally touched the X axis joystick and the X axis moved, pressing a second time and no motion, tried all other axes and they all move just once, activating a second time does nothing. The MPG is wired to port3 on the SmoothStepper

I don't know if this is the way it should function or whether it is a problem with Mach or the Smoothstepper but I gave me a bit of a fright nonetheless. I've reported it to Lee (Xbox controller plugin) but I'm more convinced this might be a problem with Mach ot the SS (if it is indeed a problem). Could someone who knows Mach and the SS better than me please try and duplicate this as I'm not sure this is supposed to happen and it could be dangerous.

Regards, Jeff.

2

SmoothStepper USB / MPG and smoothstepper, input problems

« on: December 04, 2008, 12:38:32 PM »

I'm running the latest SS plugin on Mach3 V3.042.020.

I want to install an MPG, one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com.hk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110309110622&ih=001&category=633&_trksid=p1742.m153.l1262

I have the encoder hooked up to the SS's own inputs and it works fine.

For the axis select and step multiplier, I want to use a BOB on Port 2 of the Smoothstepper. The BOB I have is this one: http://www.slidesandballscrews.com/cnc25-pi-140.html?osCsid=bfd521b8f0ca780a0201e058aead5b1e as you can see it is about as basic as you can get.

I have enabled the second port in Mach3 and ticked "pins 2-9 as input" and in the SS plugin I have set the pins 2-9 as "In". I assume that is correct.

I've set the ports & pins inputs for the OEM triggers to port 2 , the relevant pins (3-8) and I've added the OEM codes in the hotkey setup  but mach or the SS does not see any switches, however, if I wire into pins 10 upwards, I can get mach to see them. Does anyone have any idea why I can't seem to input on pins 2-9 when mach and SS are set correctly? Could there be something funny about my BOB or have I gone about connecting it wrong?

Regards, Jeff.

3

Feature Requests / 3DConnexion, 6 axis controllers, please add support

« on: October 04, 2008, 12:38:49 PM »

Hi everyone,

Would there be any possibility to add support for the 3DConnexion line of 6 axis (or 6 DOF) mice? The Space Navigator is extremely affordable at only £34 in the UK ($50?) and would make a superb jog pendant. There is a full SDK available from the 3DConnexion website for adding support into Mach3. You could also add support into LazyCam too. I own a SpacePilot (top of their range) and it has revolutionised how I interact with CAD/CAM applications like Solidworks and Mastercam.

Have a look at these devices on the 3DConnexion website.http://www.3dconnexion.com

Thanks for looking.

regards, Jeff.

4

General Mach Discussion / Mouse, keyboard disappear then total shutdown, Mach3, Dell Laptop

« on: August 24, 2008, 04:48:39 AM »

Hi everyone,

Have a strange problem with a Dell latitude C640 and Mach 3 2.63. Mach loads fine (Mill) and will sometimes run ok but often for no apparent reason the mouse disappears, the keyboard freezes and after a short while the PC shuts down. This mostly happens when I'm in the config menus, also happens clicking on a dialogue box button. I'v also noticed it happens when Mach3 is running a GCode program, Roadrunner for example. The program proceeds maybe 3/4 of the way through and the mouse disappears, keyboard locks up. What is wierd is that Mach keeps running for maybe a minute before unceremoniously, the PC shuts down.

Things I've tried:

Optimization txt. Gone through this document and other than a re-install of XP or W2000 I've pretty much exhausted that.

Disabled all unused services

Turned off Intel Speedstep

Disabled Wireless LAN and Ethernet.

Installed special driver

Laptop is Dell Latitude c640, P4 mobile @ 2.4 GHz, 1gig ram. Windows XP Pro SP2 running Mach3 R26.3 (also does this in developement version too)

Has anybody any ideas what could be the cause, Mach is the only software that the PC crashes in.


Many thanks for any replies.

Regards, JEff.