Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / New error message: "Radius to end of arc"...

« on: February 20, 2009, 05:48:55 PM »

Out of nowhere I'm getting this error when generating a path; "Radius to end of arc differs from radius to start line xx". The same files were working yesterday. Any ideas?

Second question; it is possible to seperate M3 and M4 so that they are not mutually exclusive? I'd like to use them as general I/O.

Thanks.

2

General Mach Discussion / Need help with 2.5D operation of Mach3/Galil system

« on: February 19, 2009, 10:44:12 AM »

Up until now my system has been working very well. I've gone to implement the 2.5D feature and can't get it to work at all. Same old story; I have a hot knife on a valve. The hot knofe runs all the time. The valve switches when it gets into position to make a seal. I thought I could use the 2.5D on pin#6 but for the life of me can't get it to go.

Quick breakdown:
Vetric Cut2D
Mach3
Galil DMC-1822 2 axis controller card.

All homing and drives work perfect. I can home, load G-code and it'll draw out the pattern flawlessly. Now that I've gone to implement the "Z positive/negative" action to control the switch valve I cannot get a signal from the system to do this.

When I run Galil's SmartTerm I can turn the pin#6 output on and off with no problems.

Some other clues (?):

On the DIAG screen OUTPUT ENABLE LEDS are lit for ENABLE 1,2,3 bit not 4,5,6.
All M-codes work (M3,M4,M5,M7,M8,M9). I can enter the code for each on the command line and they work.
I can command an X or Y (G0 X24 Y24) and it works perfectly.

The Galil breakout board looks like this:

PIN#  OUTPUT#
2       6
3       8
4       5
5       2
19     4
20     1
21     3
18     7

The M-Codes are set up for M3-pin1, M4-pin2, M7-pin3 and M8-pin4. I thought there might be a conflict on output 6 being on pin 2 but when changed makes no difference.

I really need to get this so that the leadin generated from Vectric CUT2D doesn't switch the valve but I can't get that far before reliably switching this pin on command.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

P.S. One thisng that would be of good use is a window that allows direct access like though SmartTerm. Right now you have to jump back and forth to see it a particular function is working.

3

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 and Galil running INCREDIBLE... and then

« on: February 17, 2009, 04:13:26 PM »

I've been working on my X-Y system for the last few weeks and everything has been going perfect. Mach3 talks to the Galil (DMC-1822) without any problems - homes, limits everything. THe motion of the whole system is slick as can be; smooth as hell.

So then I get to what I THINK is going to be a cakewalk; setting outputs to drive some solid state relays. I have four relays I have to turn on/off during a cycle. I can't get an single output to work. I've used the Galil software and talk to the SSR's all day long. Can someone please help with this; I don't have much hair and I'm pulling it out faster and faster.

Thanks very much.

4

Mach Screens / Moving the background bitmap

« on: February 11, 2009, 01:01:23 PM »

I'm designing my own screen using Screen4. It's not so bad to use. I am however pulling my hiar out over how to move the backgound bitmap once it's been added. Please - give me a clue as I haven't got one...

Thanks...

5

General Mach Discussion / Galil drivers - GalilTools vs. SmartTERM

« on: January 30, 2009, 12:03:39 PM »

Hello,
Please excuse me if this has been covered before. I am newly setting up a system and have a few questions. I'll stick with one in this thread.

I have:
Galil DMC-1822 PCI card (2-axis)
Galil AMP19520 amplifier

The problem is this: SmartTERM uses one version of a hardware driver while GalilTools uses a different one. The SmartTERM version gets recognized by Mach3. When using the driver for GalilTools the card is not recognized. One is mutually exclusive of the other. GalilTools has more capability (and cost $195.00). Galil tech support told me to forget SmartTERM and use only GT.

Am I overlooking something? Can Mach3 use the driver for GalilTools?

Thanks in advance.

Mike T.