Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Homing and Squaring a Gantry

« on: January 28, 2013, 10:04:48 PM »

I have a gantry based machine that has separate motors for each side of the gantry. I have separate limit switches for each axis and want to re-square the ganrty when referencing the machine. I am confused about how to set the "Home Slave with Master Axis" checkbox on the General Configuration tab. Here is what the Mach manual says:
"Home Slave with Master Axis, if checked, homes both motors of a master/slave pair at the same time. This will not do axis straightening, however."

When the gantry is moving to the limit switches, you must have both axes moving together otherwise that will rack the ganrty. So I assume the checkbox would need to be checked. But if checked, then the manual says that the axes won't be straightened. What am I missing?

2

Feature Requests / Future Enhnacement? - Encoder Abilty for All 6 Axes

« on: November 24, 2010, 11:14:07 AM »

I am not sure where you post "wish list" items, but I sure would like to see the ability to specify encoders for all 6 axes. I am currently using encoders and a brain to detect racking of the gantry. The Y-axis and B-axis motors are slaved. I am currently having to specify the b-axis encoder as being connected to the x-axis and that is causing the brain to fire anytime I zero the y or x axes. I could address the problem if I could specify an encoder for the B-axis.

3

VB and the development of wizards / Run Macro When Axis is Zeroed

« on: November 22, 2010, 11:13:56 PM »

How can I run a macro whenever an axis is zeroed using the "Zero" buttons on the "Program Run" screen? These buttons cannot be edited with the Edit Button Script command.

Thanks,
Kent

4

Promote and discuss your product / Dust Shoe

« on: January 17, 2010, 01:04:40 PM »

Below is a link to a video of a dust shoe that does an excellent job of collection while allowing easy access for bit changes. The lower brush ring is attached with rare earth magnets which allows for easy bit access. The upper acrylic plate clamps around the router/spindle with one pinch screw.The shoe sells for $95.00 plus $15.00 S&H (additional shipping applies if outside the U.S.).  If you are running the Hitachi M12VC router, the cooling exhaust blows straight down and needs to be diverted. An exhaust diverter for that router is an additional $10.00

Contact me at KentCNC@gmail.com to purchase. I will need to know which router/spindle you are using and your name and shipping address.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ehFKTjZN4

Kent
 

5

General Mach Discussion / E-Stop After Zeroing an Axis

« on: November 24, 2009, 11:17:35 AM »

Sometimes when I click zero for the X or Y axis, the machine goes into e-stop. Does not happen every time. I'd prefer it to not go into e-stop. Any suggestions?

I am running a SmoothStepper in case that makes any difference.

6

General Mach Discussion / Replicating Parts

« on: November 15, 2009, 09:25:15 AM »

I have a part that uses 25 toolpaths. I designed it in Aspire and would now like to cut multiple parts from a single sheet of material. I don't want to have to redo all of the toolpaths in Aspire when I replicate the parts onto the sheet. Is there any way in Mach to load a g-code file and then tell Mach to run i multiple times at differnet x and y offsets?

7

General Mach Discussion / Unexplained Stops

« on: November 04, 2009, 05:36:20 PM »

I am running a SmoothStepper, which may or may not have anything to do with this problem. When I am cutting the machine will sometimes stop for no reason. It is not in e-stop. I can click run and it will start immediately from the point it stopped.  Any ideas on what is happening?

8

General Mach Discussion / Must X and Y Have Same Acceleration

« on: October 11, 2009, 11:10:27 PM »

Will there be any problem with using different motor tuning acceleration parameters for the X and Y axis. Just wonder if there would be strange results if, for example, cutting a circle at a high speed or if rounded corners would be asymmetric if Constant Velocity mode is used.

9

General Mach Discussion / G4 versus Sleep

« on: October 05, 2009, 11:34:16 PM »

Here is a script of code that raises the question of when to use G4 versus sleep.
This code works:
   
   Code "G90"                 ' Set absolute mode
   DoOEMButton (180)     ' Set work coordinate mode on
   Sleep 100   
   New_Z = GetDRO(2) + 0.2
   Code "G0 Z" & New_Z

This code does not work regardless of the specified dwell time:

   Code "G90"
   DoOEMButton (180)
   Code "G4 P0.1"   
   New_Z = GetDRO(2) + 0.2
   Code "G0 Z" & New_Z

I have seen the dwell command (Code "G4 P0.1") used many times to delay movement of an axis  immediately after a DRO is changed by code. Should the dwell command (G4) be used or should an equivalent sleep command be used? I am running a SmoothStepper which may be complicating this.

10

General Mach Discussion / Pause for DRO Update

« on: October 03, 2009, 01:14:35 AM »

In many macros I see that there is a 1/4 second pause added after a DRO is updated by the code.  Is this necessary? Also, if the code has the axis moving, such as during a G31 probe move, is a pause needed before reading the DRO or does the DRO closely track the progress of the move. I guess I am asking if pauses are necessray and if so when are they needed...after the code updates a DRO, before a DRO is read after a move, or both?

Thanks,
Kent