Topics

1

PoKeys / External LEDs to Indicate MPG1 Axis

« on: January 30, 2011, 03:01:14 PM »

I wish to have 3 LEDs to indicate the axis driven by MPG1
I have set up the Mach3 Ports & Pins Outputs 1/2/3 to Port 10 and the PoKeys pin numbers 23/24/25 which have the LEDs
I have tested the PoKeys interface using a brain input of MPG JOG (OEMLED 57) and a brain output of Output 1. The LED on pin 23 goes on and off correctly in sync with the screen LED.

How do I input the 'MPG 1 Drives X Axis', 'MPG 1 Drives Y Axis', and 'MPG 1 Drives Z Axis' LEDs into the Brain as the OEM numbers 59/60/61 do not appear on the drop down menu?

Any help would be appreciated.

2

PoKeys / Configuration Incorrect

« on: January 15, 2011, 03:45:11 PM »

I have just connected a new Pokeys 55 to my CNC laptop which runs Mach3 and Smooth Stepper with Windows XP. The Set Up file: PoKeys55_SetUp v2.1.17 installs OK, but when I click on the PoKeys screen icon I get the message: "This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect".

I tried installing the PoKeys on my home computer and was able to configure it OK. I then plugged it into the CNC laptop and standard hotkeys were emulated correctly.

I have reinstalled the software and reset the PoKeys as described in the manual, but the same message appears.
It is the same whether the PoKeys USB is plugged in or disconnected.
Any ideas as to why the configuration software fails to start on my CNC laptop?

3

General Mach Discussion / Best Manual Movement Controls?

« on: August 05, 2009, 04:24:40 PM »

I am new to CNC machining and have just fitted stepper motors to my Myford VM-B manual Mill and got it to work with Mach3. I take my hat off to the guys who designed and published that software.
I wish to make an interface for manual movement/jogging in 3 axes.
The options I have considered are:
1.    Three sets of Plus and Minus buttons for each axis arranged in a pattern similar to keyboard cursor keys. (Similar to the Mach3 screen jog buttons)
2.    Three single axis joy sticks that would output pulses to Mach3 at a rate proportional to stick deflection
3.    One 2-axis joy stick for X-Y and a single axis joystick for Z that would output pulses at a rate proportional to stick deflection.
4.    Three single axis spin wheels mounted vertically that could output pulses at a rate proportional to speed of wheel rotation.
5.    In conjunction with options 2, 3 and 4 would plus and minus buttons either side of each stick or wheel be useful for final precise single stepping to a position?
6.    Would it be better to mount the Z axis control away from the others on the side of the column near to the existing Z manual handle?
 
Please could anyone advise from practical experience the pros and cons of these types of controls and any other types of control that might be superior?