Topics

1

Mach4 Plugins / Mach4 Galil Question

« on: February 02, 2018, 01:17:17 PM »

Is it possible to have a script read both encoder positions when running an axis in dual loop mode on a Galil controller?
What I want to do is use the linear encoder for the position feedback as per the Galil plugin manual, but I also want to have a script running in the background comparing the linear encoder to the rotary encoder.
This way the machine can stop if the difference between the two encoders is too high (linear encoder error)

My machine currently runs this way with its old software, but I want to keep this error checking if I switch to Mach4.


Any help would be appreciated.

2

General Mach Discussion / G81 Canned cycle problem

« on: April 25, 2014, 04:51:29 PM »

Is there any chance of getting the single block with a canned cycle working properly?

What happens is when I run a drilling program, after a few holes press single block while positioning to the next hole. This will cause the drill to stop at the bottom of the hole.
When you press cycle start to drill the next hole, the machine just feeds in the X and Y direction (not retracting and drilling)

This will also happen if you turn off the single block and press cycle start again.

Here is some example Gcode
Run this and press single block when positioning to another hole.

Code: [Select]

N1 G20
N2 G80
N4 G00 Z0.0
N8 G54
N9 G00 G90 X-10.125 Y-3.75
N10 S2139 M03
N12 Z1.
N14 G81 Z-.15 R0.1 F20
N15 X-10.125 Y-2.75
N16 X-10.125 Y-1.75
N17 X-10.125 Y-.75
N18 X-10.125 Y.75
N19 X-10.125 Y1.75
N20 X-10.125 Y2.75
N21 X-10.125 Y3.75
N22 X-9.125 Y5.75
N23 X-9.125 Y4.75
N24 X-9.125 Y3.75
N25 X-9.125 Y2.75
N26 X-9.125 Y1.75
N27 X-9.125 Y.75
N28 X-9.125 Y-.75
N29 X-9.125 Y-1.75
N30 X-9.125 Y-2.75
N31 X-9.125 Y-3.75
N32 X-9.125 Y-4.75
N33 X-9.125 Y-5.75
N34 X-8.125 Y-6.75
N35 X-8.125 Y-5.75
N36 X-8.125 Y-4.75
N37 X-8.125 Y-3.75
N38 X-8.125 Y-2.75
N39 X-8.125 Y-1.75
N40 X-8.125 Y-.75
N41 X-8.125 Y.75


3

General Mach Discussion / Slave axis question

« on: August 22, 2011, 10:07:02 PM »

Is there a way to just set 2 step pins and 2 direction pins to one axis instead of using up a axis for the slave?
I want to add 2 axis to the head of a plasma table to do circular bevels and also have a pipe cutting attachment on the side, so this will be 6 axis. But the problem is that the Y axis is dual drive so I have to waste a axis here as a slave...

Any ideas (besides unplugging one when I want to use a feature)

Thanks
Dave

4

General Mach Discussion / G31 Probe problem

« on: July 28, 2011, 05:10:12 PM »

I have a plasma table with a floating head. I have it set to go a G31 probe with a feed rate of 60 ipm.
The problem is that the motion is ignoring the accel / decel rates that is set it motor turning.

This causes the stop point to overshoot the sensor by almost 1 inch...

Any ideas?


Thanks
Dave

5

Galil / Mach with galil reliability

« on: November 18, 2010, 12:45:25 AM »

I was wondering realistically how reliable Mach with Galil is?

I know that the Galil cards are pretty rock solid in terms of not causing random run away and such, so I would assume that since the plug-in is basically a real-time g code to Galil code converter that it should always be pretty reliable?

I have seen on the forum, people talking of machines with the pport driver having tool take off at random sometimes. And I want to minimize this as much as possible by not using the pport.
Am I assuming right that I pretty much shouldn’t have any position errors of take off’s with the Galil card even if the computer crashes of has hick ups?


Thanks
Dave

6

Galil / X,W home problems

« on: August 31, 2010, 04:55:23 PM »

I am trying to get a large machine that is a rack and pinion drive with encoders & scales on all axis's.
The X and W are slaved together, but when I use the home routine I can't get them to square even with the square settings.

The home and lower limit switch are the same, so I am using the limits as homes.

The problem is that it will home the X side and move off the switch, but then it stays on the limit on the W side and nothing happens.

Is it possible to write my own galil code for the home sequence?
I have the code from the old software, so I want to use the same galil commands to home the machine.

Thanks
Dave.

7

General Mach Discussion / Estop with limits

« on: August 31, 2010, 09:49:58 AM »

Is it possible to NOT have the Estop activated when a limit switch is hit when jogging?

I would prefer it to just not allow me to move in that direction anymore.

Thanks

8

General Mach Discussion / New Mach version

« on: August 11, 2010, 05:10:17 PM »

Is there a rough time line for Mach 3 v4.0 or the next update?

Thanks

9

General Mach Discussion / VB or Brains Question

« on: August 11, 2010, 09:34:50 AM »

I don't know if this would be a VB Script or Brains question, but I need to know how to set a flag or something when a canned cycle has started (of a G81 as been started)

The machine I am working on has motion clamps that once the drill cycle starts the clamps are activated and then deactivated once the Z returns to the top. Then the machine positions to the next hole and the clamps are active again.

So I need to add this into mach.

10

Feature Requests / Single Block while in a canned cycle

« on: April 29, 2010, 05:50:56 PM »

Could you please add a working single block feature to use with canned cycles.
Right now it only works if you use single block from the very start of the program, but it will not work proper if it is activated after a few holes are drilled.
If it is activated at this point then it just cancels the drill cycle and moves the tool to the next hole at whatever depth it is at and at the drilling feedrate.
I want to use mach for a large drilling machine and we use single block all the time with the current controller.