Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / No contact with probe.

« on: January 22, 2023, 11:32:45 AM »

I'm using Mach4 Hobby, with ESS Smoothstepper.

Using the canned 'Z zero' with my touchplate I occasionally get the message 'No contact with probe' Most odd, it does work and has worked but I often get this message. Has it been answered elsewhere ?

Thanks

George

2

Mach4 Toolbox / I'm sorry but it's tool change time again

« on: January 21, 2023, 01:34:02 PM »

I  must be too old now or I just don't understand.
I'm using Mach4 Hobby. Ess Smooth stepper. Win 11 Aspire10.5

The Post Processor Mach ATC 2/3 Arcs MM Text

I have a small file containing 3 different shapes and 3 different tool. I want to save all toolpaths to a single file. But this wont work for me.

I do not have an automatic tool changer turret or otherwise. I have a nice box of tools.

The easiest way I see ahead is to have a standard txt file that I can insert into my Gcode text file at the relevant points.
As each tool is finished I want to stop, retract to a safe height I use Z20.
I can then jog away from my workpiece to an area where I can change the tool but I want to retain the original x0 y0 position so I can return there.
I can then change the tool. Carry out a toll zero using my touch plate.
The code can the carry on by returning to x0 y0.
Does this make sense.
I can then paste this into any gcode text file that I create.
I hope somebody can write me a wee bit of code to do this.
I have edited out lots of lines in  my sample file.
Please see file attached.

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Installing update to Mach 4 Hobby

« on: December 11, 2022, 10:10:24 AM »

I'd like to update my aging install of Mach4 Hobby.

Do I have to uninstall my installed version 4.2.0.4517  before installing latest issue 4.2.0.5000 ?
Will all mt present configuration lost?

Thanks

4

Mach4 Toolbox / M6 again nothing fancy.

« on: December 08, 2022, 12:36:18 PM »

I need a simple macro so when my Gcode reaches an M6,my Z will go to its safe z position.
I can Jog the gantry to whatever position I like.
I will then change the tool.
Execute a Z zero touch to my reference plate.
When complete I hit continue and mach4 will carry on and execute the next part of the gcode.
Nothing fancy, no tool lengths just plain and simple like I had in mach3.

Any willing helpers.
A free Haggis for the the best bit of code.

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Missing Macro's (M6)

« on: December 06, 2022, 12:00:01 PM »

Somehow from my Mach4 Hobby installation I have no Macro's, It's small wonder my tool change M6 Macro would not work.

There is no directory for the Macros, I believe they should be in a directory named Mach4hobby/profiles/Workshop router/macro That directory does not exist.

So, question is how to load new macro's for M6 toolchange. Is there a standard macro I can drop into that directory?

I can only assume I may have screwed up when I was trying out different screen set.

I could use some help please.

Thanks

George

6

General Mach Discussion / Auto tool change with Aspire

« on: December 05, 2022, 10:27:42 AM »

In the past I'm sure I had Macch 4 executing a tool change even although I dont have an auto tool changer. Mach would stop, let me change the zero my rtooland then restart.

I'm using Aspire 10.5 with Mach4 Hobby. Saving my toolpaths as Mach2/3 ATC Arc MM

What am I not doing correctly ?

Thanks

George

7

General Mach Discussion / License question

« on: February 02, 2021, 05:10:25 PM »

I have MAch4 on my workshop PC for use with my CNC Router. (Running with an Ess Smoothstepper)
I also have an Eleksmaker and Lightburn to generate the Gcode for my 60Watt Co2 laser machine.

I want to remove the Laser Diode from the Eleksmaker and install it on my Router Z Axis.
Mach 4 I understand does not control the laser but Mach3 will. (I believe thereare PWM issues)
Can I install both Mach3 and Mach4 on my PCc.

Many thanks.

8

General Mach Discussion / VFD Messed up

« on: January 30, 2021, 07:01:31 PM »

I wonder if anyone can help. I'm using a Chinese spindle motor on my Router it's rated at 8amps 400Hz 220V 2pole 24,000RPM,

I'm using the Mitsubishi FR-D720 inverter and I seem to have screwed up the parameter settings.

I need some basic settings to allow me to run my spindle right up to full speed.
I think it all went wrong when I accidentally executed a restore to default condition.
I know it's all wired up correctly as It's been running great for over 10 years and I'm gutted. It's very true, Don't fix what's not broke!!!
Iv'e taken the Liberty of uploading the manual which I thought I'd tried all but to no avail, clearly I have something wrong because I cant achieve speeds above 7k.  I hope someone can help.

Thanks in advance

George

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Success with LightBurn - Mach4

« on: September 03, 2020, 11:43:05 AM »

Mach4 and Lightburn GRBL3 Gcode.
After a bit of changes to the GRBL3 Gcode produced by Lightburn I finally achieved the results shown.

GRBL sends 'S' to to turn laser on and of.
Any 'S' followed by a number' I.e S57 means turn laser on at 57%. This simply needs replacing with M62P20
An 'S' number followed by a 0 means lase off. And needs replacing with M63P20
When you wish to create filled text like the letter 'O' shown be sure to tell Lightburn that your text is 'Line and fill'

Here is a small part of the code I used.
; LightBurn 0.9.16 George's WIFICARD
; GRBL-M3 (1.1e or earlier) device profile, current position
; Bounds: X0 Y0 to X71.17 Y43
G00 G17 G40 G21 G54
G91
; Image @ 6000 mm/min, 70% power
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_PWM_PERCENTAGE=75)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_FREQUENCY=20000)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_GATE_DELAY=0.5)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_GATE_DURATION=0.5)
M2004
M62P20 F100.0
T1M06
S200M03 F100
G94 M63P20 
M8
M5
G0X4.98Y4.52
; Layer C00
M3
G1X6.1F100M62P20
G1X2.03M63P20
G1X3.56M62P20
G1X5.59M63P20
G1X1.01M62P20
G1X2.03M63P20



I hope this is of some help to others.

George

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Lightburn Software

« on: September 02, 2020, 01:52:38 PM »

Is anyone using Lightburn to generate Gcode that will run on Mach4 ?

Many thanks.