Topics

1

VB and the development of wizards / A script for zeroing Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset.

« on: August 22, 2013, 05:57:19 AM »

I am searching for a script for zeroing Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset.

A am currently using Ver: R3.042.038 which is working fine except when I RefAllHome my x axis moves .0005" (1 step).  Apparently this problem may be related to using HillbillyBOB's board and MaxCL.  I have been helped by Hood with this, and he is very generous.  Unfortunately we seem to be going in circles.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,25290.0.html

If there was a simple script which would force the zeroing of Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset, then I simply could append this script to Hiddenscript.m1s and things would be perfect.

Here is the script I have been working on.  It doesn't seem to work and I cannot figure out why.  It is a replacement for Hiddenscript.m1s with the last part forcing Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset to zero.


DoButton( 24 )
DoButton( 23 )
DoButton( 22 )
DoButton( 25 )

DoOEMButton(133)
DoOEMButton(134)
DoOEMButton(135)

Xaxis = 0
Yaxis = 1
Zaxis = 2
SetMachZero(xaxis)
SetMachZero(Yaxis)
SetMachZero(zaxis)

Const XaxisMultiFunctionOEMDRONum = 800
Const YaxisMultiFunctionOEMDRONum = 801
Const ZaxisMultiFunctionOEMDRONum = 802
SetOEMDRO(XaxisMultiFunctionDRONum, 0.0000)
SetOEMDRO(YaxisMultiFunctionDRONum, 0.0000)
SetOEMDRO(ZaxisMultiFunctionDRONum, 0.0000)

 
Suggestions?

2

General Mach Discussion / How to manually set Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset to zero.

« on: August 18, 2013, 02:40:57 AM »

I would like to manually set Current Position, Machine Coord, and Work Offset to zero and have found no way to do so.

My machine is a Bridgeport Series II running Mach3 Ver. R3.042.038 on a good XP system.  The Bridgeport has built in x and y axis position displays so all I have to do is startup the machine and jog the bed to the correct x and y positions, then press RefAllHome to zero Current Position to that location. 

Or so one would think.  When I press RefAllHome I notice my x axis moves a slight bit resulting in the Current Position changing slightly.  When I move the bed so Current Position is back to zero I find that either or both the Machine Coord and Work Offset isn't at zero.  I want them all at zero.  I want to simply move the bed to any location and set that location to zero for all.

The settings Copy G54 from G59.253 is not checked, Persistent Offsets and Persistent DRO's is checked.
G54 is set to all zero's.

This should be easy.  It's not.  I'm totally stumped.

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Generic Mastercam X thru X5 POST and much more information posted.

« on: October 10, 2011, 02:59:56 AM »

Bunches of real useful information here.
Go to  www.lowrynightsights.com,  then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Bridgeport Manuals link.

Mastercam X thru X5 Post file. Enables the use of the Mach3 Mill tool table on a CNC mill which has no automatic tool changer. I have put some effort into this Mastercam Post, and it should do the trick for most people who have a Kwik-Switch or other type tool changer.

Also have these files and information freely available.

How to convert a Bridgeport Boss 6 to Mach3.
m3.m1s
m5.m1s
macropump.m1s
How to setup a Tool Table and Tool Change in Mach3.
Mastercam 9 to Mach 3 tutorial.
Series II CNC Maintenance Manual.
Series II CNC Operating Manual.
Series II CNC Programming Manual.
SERIES-1-CNC-PROGRAMING-MANUAL.
Bridgeport Series I CNC Program Entries Descriptions.
NC-Programming-Sheet.
Bridgeport-BOSS-G-Codes.
R2E4 CNC.
EZ-FILE.
Student Manual.

Enjoy!

Charles

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Mach3 post for Mastercam. This post enables use of the Mach3 Mill tool table.

« on: May 30, 2011, 03:50:00 AM »

Mach3 post for Mastercam.  This post enables the use of the Mach3 Mill tool table on a CNC mill which has no automatic tool changer.

Tested on X3 and X5 without problems.  Will probably work fine on all versions X thru X5.

These release notes contained within the Mach3Generic.PST file says it all.

# --------------
# Release Notes:  This Post file is a slightly modified MPFAN.PST file specifically altered to allow manual tool changing with the benefits of the Mach3 tool table.
# Make sure to enable tool changing in Mach3 by selecting Config -> General config -> Tool Change -> Stop Spindle. Wait for Cycle Start.
# For Mastercam:  Set Machine Type to Mill -> Default.
# Make sure to allow Tool Changing in Mastercam by insuring that: Add to tool - Length 0  Diameter 0 - is selected and set from within the Control Definition.
# Also check that the Mach3Generic.pst Post Processor is selected within both the Control Definition and Machine Group Properties.
# Make sure the proper tool number is entered within the Define Tool -> Parameters tab -> Length Offset Number. 
# The Length Offset Number and Tool# within the Define Tool box should be the same. 
# These numbers should reference the same tool# in the Mach3 tool table.
#
# Additionally, this Post does NOT home the tool to machine zero.  This Post DOES raise Z an absolute distance of 1" above the work surface.
# This is to give sufficient room for a tool change and to clear any holding clamps.  Make sure there is 1" or more of vertical travel.
# I believe this should be adequate for all foreseeable manual tool changes.
# --------------

This file is available freely.  Just go to WWW.LOWRYINDUSTRIES.COM and scroll to the bottom of the page.  Click the link "Bridgeport Manuals".  The file is available for download from this page, along with a great deal of other information.

Thanks!

5

General Mach Discussion / Bridgeport Manuals update and Conversion to Mach3 CNC information.

« on: May 27, 2011, 01:06:20 PM »

I have posted more Bridgeport Manuals and CNC conversion information.

Go to WWW.LOWRYINDUSTRIES.COM and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Click on the link BridgeportManuals. Here is what you will see.

"Bridgeport Manuals

A gift to the Bridgeport Community.

This document outlines how to convert a Bridgeport CNC with Boss controller to Mach3.

How to convert a Bridgeport Boss 6 to Mach 3.pdf

There is also an important accompanying Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD8-iQ83oZY

I have also scanned and posted the following manuals.
In my experience, most if not all of these manuals are virtually impossible to obtain till now.
The manuals are either jpg pages or PDF files collected into ONE ZIP FILE TO DOWNLOAD FOR EACH MANUAL.

R2E4 CNC
EZ-FILE
Bridgeport Series I CNC Program Entries Descriptions
Series II CNC Programming Manual
Series I Programming Manual
Series II CNC Operating Manual
Series II CNC Maintenance Manual
NC-Programming-Sheet
Bridgeport-BOSS-G-Codes
SERIES-1-CNC-PROGRAMING-MANUAL-Untitled

Student Manual.

Many who own ANY Bridgeport CNC will be specially interested in the maintenance manual. It has
all the schematics for both the electronic and mechanical components plus tuneup, repair, and
overhaul details.  Although it covers the Series II CNC, much of the information applies to ALL Bridgeport CNC vertical mills.

The programming manuals are excellent resources for programming CNC mills irregardless of
whether you are running a BOSS controller or Mach 3.

Free of charge. All I ask is to only download what you need so I do not run out of bandwidth."

6

General Mach Discussion / Does anyone here know anyone in northern Utah who uses Mach3?

« on: January 26, 2011, 04:39:56 AM »

I live in Riverton, Utah and set up a milling machine using Mach 3.  It runs very well except for a couple of small but irritating details and I'm looking for someone who can help me through them.

Does anyone here know anyone in northern Utah who uses Mach3?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

7

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Which controller code is most compatible with Mach3?

« on: July 12, 2010, 05:00:40 AM »

I am starting to use Mastercam X3 and I need to know which mill type controller is most compatible with Mach3.

For background, in Mastercam you have to choose a machine type to begin working.  I want to know which is best.
I am currently running a bridgeport with 3-axis but I do intent to add a 4th axis.

Generic Fadal Format_1 4x mill.mmd
Generic Fadal Format_2 4x mill.mmd
Generic Hass 4x Mill.mmd
Mill 4-axis hmc.mmd
Mill 4-axis vmc.mmd
Mill default.mmd

I am not too keen on the Mill default.mmd because I don't know if it has 4th axis capability

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

8

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle jus

« on: May 26, 2010, 01:40:44 AM »

This one will be a teaser!

I am using Dared's BOB on a Bridgeport Series II CNC Mill.

I remedied my previous problem and got down the road to a new problem.

The EStop on the mill and in software works just fine.  Also the spindle stops and starts like a champ.

But no axle movement at all.  None of the axis jog, or move while running a program.

MaxCL is enabled.

I think the problem lies in a setting in the software related to MaxCL.  For some unknown reason Mach3 simply isn't telling the axis to move, or possibly even recognizing any axis at all, given that all the axis are grayed out in Motor Tuning.

Jog is enabled with "continuous" set.  The Numlock is off.

I have checked the wiring and it is hooked up right with no breaks.

I am definitely NOT on a limit switch.  The mill bed is dead center and moves fine when the original BOSS control is hooked up.

When running a program, it just skims through all axis movements doing nothing, again leading me to believe Mach3 simply doesn't recognize any of the axis.

When the computer is running, here are the status of the LED's on Darek's board  The LED numbers correspond 1 to 1 with port pin numbers.
1,3,4,5,7,9,14,16,17 are on (lit)
2,6, and all the input's are off (unlit).
Input #10 is lit when the mill is first turned on, and goes off when the Limit Override button is pressed.

I'm stumped.  What would cause Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle just fine?

What do you suggest?

9

Mach3 and G-Rex / Mach3 to not recognize/move the axis while operating the spindle just fine

« on: May 26, 2010, 01:39:10 AM »

This one will be a teaser!

I am using Dared's BOB on a Bridgeport Series II CNC Mill.

The EStop on the mill and in software works just fine.
Also the spindle stops and starts like a champ.

But no axle movement at all.  None of the axis jog, or move while running a program.

MaxCL is enabled.

I think the problem lies in a setting in the software related to MaxCL.  For some unknown reason Mach3 simply isn't telling the axis to move, or possibly even recognizing any axis at all, given that all the axis are grayed out in Motor Tuning.

Jog is enabled with "continuous" set.  The Numlock is off.

I have checked the wiring and it is hooked up right with no breaks.

I am definitely NOT on a limit switch.  The mill bed is dead center and moves fine when the original BOSS control is hooked up.

When running a program, it just skims through all axis movements doing nothing, again leading me to believe Mach3 simply doesn't recognize any of the axis.

When the computer is running, here are the status of the LED's on Darek's board  The LED numbers correspond 1 to 1 with port pin numbers.
1,3,4,5,7,9,14,16,17 are on (lit)
2,6, and all the input's are off (unlit).
Input #10 is lit when the mill is first turned on, and goes off when the Limit Override button is pressed.

I'm stumped.  What would cause Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle just fine?

What do you suggest?

10

Third party software and hardware support forums. / I need help with enabling inputs, Huge source of free Bridgeport Boss manuals

« on: May 22, 2010, 10:33:38 PM »

First, I desperately need help getting my Bridgeport mill to work through Darek Ashburn's Hillbilly BOB.

Then, I have posted a fairly complete set of manuals for the Bridgeport Boss6.

I NEED HELP WITH MACH3 TALKING THROUGH DAREK'S BOB.
For the life of me cannot get Darek Ashburn's Hillbilly BOB to work with my Bridgeport.  I am completely stumped.

I have a Bridgeport Series II CNC, which works just fine.  Everything on it is good and it runs
without a hitch.  That is, until I hook up the Mach 3.  Then it becomes a paperweight.  No jog, no nothing.

I think the problem has to do with the inputs.  None of the input lights come on.  Ever.  I
have no idea if this is normal or what.
Also, when trying to run a program I get to the message "“Spindle Start Requested” in m3.m1s,
and nothing happens afterward.  The next line is   SystemWaitFor(Input2)  and it simply hangs
there.  Waiting for an Input2 which it never receives?

I also don't know what to look for to see if the NOT E-STOPPED signal has been sent.
Then, does pressing the Emergency Stop on the mill do something?  How do I reset the software?

I have gone through everything including rechecking the wiring, and it all checks out.  I have followed the
instructions in the document "USING MACH3 WITH BRIDGEPORT STEPPER DRIVES" including creating the
new macros, but still nothing.
I have checked the Bios to ensure the parallel port is properly configured.  Apparently it is, with the port set to ECP+EPP, and the IO range is also correct.
I checked the parallel port cable and it is good on all lines.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why I am not getting any input from the mill at all.

I have a series of pictures here which should help.  (The Bridgeport was fully running when these pics were taken.)
http://www.lowryindustries.com/i_need_help_with_mach_3.htm

Info on the BOB can be had here.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=646.0

Hopefully someone will have a suggestion.
I need HELP!!


Here are the Bridgeport manuals I have posted.  In my experience, most of not all of these manuals were virtually impossible to obtain until now.
These manuals are in zip format.
R2E4 CNC
EZ-FILE
Bridgeport Series I CNC Program Entries Descriptions
Series II CNC Programming Manual
Series I Programming Manual
Series II CNC Operating Manual
Series II CNC Maintenance Manual with full schematics
NC-Programming-Sheet
Bridgeport-BOSS-G-Codes
SERIES-1-CNC-PROGRAMING-MANUAL-Untitled
Available at:  http://www.lowryindustries.com/Bridgeport Manuals.htm