Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Old Stuff: Mach 3 Tool Number DRO

« on: November 22, 2019, 07:14:55 PM »

I recently set up one of my machines tool tables with tool lengths. 

When I execute a tool change it updates the tool length offset and Z DRO, but the tool number DRO still reads zero. 

My typical tool change command is T(x) M6 G43 H(x) where (x) is the tool number.

I can manually enter a tool number into the DRO and it applies the tool offset from the tool table if it is not already applied from a command like the one above.   

I run into this same issue on both the machine where I have implemented the tool table, and on the test installation on my design computer.  I spent over an hour looking for a solution by searching the forum, but was unable to find anything. 

Is there some setting in Mach configuration I am missing or do I need to add something to my tool change macros or both? 

2

General Mach Discussion / Jog Mod Change from Increment Change

« on: September 25, 2016, 06:39:58 PM »

I have a problem I do not know how to fix.  On one of my new machines when you click on the <Cylcle Jog Step> button on the jog screen it sometimes (about 1 in 4 times) changes the <Jog Mode> from Step to Cont.  So far I have caught it every time, but its going to cost me some work and a cutter sooner or later.  The mouse pointer is clearly NOT on the <Jog Mode> button and is clearly and fully on the <Jog Cycle Step> button when it happens.  It is a repeatable problem.  I have carefully made sure that the pointer is at the top right corner of the <Cycle Jog Step> button and still had it happen.

A little more testing shows it happens pretty consistently when it is showing the 4th decimal place precision.  The ten thousandths position.  Instead of advancing to the 1s position it changes from Step to Continuous. The next click then advances the step increment to the 1s position as it should.  

Weird.  I have copied a screen set from another machine to make sure its not a buggy screen set.  I have adjusted the mouse settings in Windows to make sure that's not the problem.  Suggestions?  Reinstall Mach?  Copy XML file from the other identical (more or less) machine I have? 

3

General Mach Discussion / What Exactly is the Acceleration Setting in Mach 3

« on: November 03, 2015, 12:46:06 AM »

What Exactly is the Acceleration Setting in Mach 3?

Seriously, I thought it was units per second per second, but I've had several people tell me I had it all wrong.  Recently I tested a machine (inch mode) at 100 in the acceleration setting and when I said I tested at 100iss they claimed that would be like deceleration of a hammer blow hitting a board. 

So what exactly does that figure in the motor tuning mean? 

4

General Mach Discussion / Run Inhibit - Based on Input

« on: September 28, 2015, 08:03:46 PM »

I'm not sure where to go with this.  I've got a machine that's running pretty good right now, but I am about to put on a new solenoid valve operated pneumatic spindle brake.  I'ld like to be able to set the brake and inhibit spindle start or program run, but still be able to jog the machine if I need to.  I'ld like to add a mechanical push on / push off button to my control console to operate the brake.  The electrical part is easy for me to figure out.  I'm not sure how to configure Mach 3 to do it.  I've got spare inputs on my breakout board. 

I could just cut the input lead to the VFD with a relay, but that wouldn't prevent Mach from crashing a tool into a work piece if I forget to release the brake.  I could add a really annoying sounder and a blinking light, but again it doesn't actually prevent a crash.  My existing brake is tied to my E-stop switch, but I don't want to estop the machine for a tool change as it kills the job clock.  The new brake is strong enough to allow me to do single spanner tool changes. 

I know.  I know.  Beginner question right?  LOL. 

5

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Execute Code With Buttons

« on: June 10, 2015, 07:16:49 PM »

On one machine I used an MPG for a while, and on another I used an external joystick and some game console buttons.  I have to say neither was really wonderful for zeroing to a work piece.  

Recently I got my big mill that I put a touch screen on going again, and I used the [TAB] flyout jog screen.  I liked it as well as anything.  Especially with the touch screen.  I'ld like to use the jog screen, but get rid of most of the things on it.  Instead have multiple large buttons for each axis and have each button do a specific jog amount using g-code and relative positioning (G91 / G00 X.1 / G90).  The buttons would jog, .1, .01, .001 relative to their location from center.  I've been doing basically that with the current jog screen and a wiggler.  Its a lot faster than it sounds. 

Never mind if you hate the idea or love it.  Trust me if I can get it to work I will like it.  I just would like some guidance in setting up some buttons (LARGE BUTTONS) to execute snippets of code.  If that works I'ld also apply it to write a custom button for z-height setting with a touch pad.  I know the blue screen already has a z-height set function, but I want to do all new screens optimize for my use with large buttons and large icons for touchscreen. 

I imagine I can figure it out by reverse engineering some of the screensets already available, but I am hoping somebody is willing to give me a jump start on this.  

Eventually I think I'll run touchscreens on all machines.

6

General Mach Discussion / XBox 360 Plugin - Bug? - Z Goes Down

« on: July 28, 2014, 12:58:49 PM »

I really like the Xbox controller and the Xbox plugin.  The configurability is awesome.  I can set all the functions I normally use when setting the machine, or touching off to a part. 

However, I have seen one bug that causes a problem.  Even with the triggers set as a safety sometimes the machine takes Z all the way down until it hits something when I shut down the software, and I even saw it do it when I hit the programmed E-stop button once too.  Is there a fix or a work around to prevent this? 

I actually like the functionality of the Xbox 360 better than my MPG pendant except for this issue.

Its on a Windows 7 Pro 64 bit machine using an Ethernet Smoothstepper if that makes any difference. 

7

General Mach Discussion / Homing Not Working

« on: June 05, 2014, 07:20:16 PM »

Ok, I just bought my first "fully setup" new machine running Mach 3 and I have a problem.  It uses proximity switches as both homing and limits.  They seem to work fine as a limits, but only one axis actually homes properly.  The other two just keep going until I hit the E-stop button.  With the diagnostic page up they light the indicator, but it doesn't stop and home.  It just overshoots and keeps going. 

Suggestions? 

8

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / M6 Macro Help

« on: July 14, 2013, 10:46:50 PM »

This is what is in the default m6 start macro. 

tool = GetSelectedTool()
SetCurrentTool( tool )

I found this to be quite helpful as an alternative:

code "m9"
code "m5"
code "G28"
tool = GetSelectedTool()
SetCurrentTool( tool )
code "m1"

I just need to figure out how to implement G43 h(x) and apply the tool offset from the tool table for the new tool. 

Can somebody point me in the right direction? 

9

General Mach Discussion / Zero Z - Regen Tool Path

« on: July 01, 2013, 10:07:26 PM »

Do I have to regen tool path in the middle of a tool change if I rezero Z. 

Order of operations... 

1.  Set Mach to stop spindle and wait for start on a tool change. 
2.  Manually change tool and reset zero Z.

3.  Regen Toolpath???

4.  Press start. 

Yes, I know I have to regen toolpath when I change X or Y Zero. 

10

General Mach Discussion / Using an Encoder for Jogging

« on: March 13, 2013, 08:48:11 PM »

Anybody using an encoder for jogging?  

I am sure somebody must be.  It makes sense.  In my Hurco retrofit I wound up with a couple spare encoders.  One was on the original control console and was used for jogging.  I tested it today with a pair of LEDs and it appears to work.  Now, how would I go about using it to JOG an axis?  I imagine I could wire up one channel like a switch, and then use a separate direction switch, but there must be a more elegant way to do it.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhfpo53ajpw