Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Reset at the end of an M6 macro

« on: October 27, 2012, 05:21:27 PM »

Hi

I've been trying to debug the toolchanger on my little emco lathe. I've got it to the point where it moves to the correct position and then starts to reverse (all correct) but then Mach resets every time.

Is there anywhere that Mach stores the reason for the current reset trip as I'm not getting any visible error message in the display. It would be nice if there was a clue in there somewhere.

Thanks

Paul

2

General Mach Discussion / Can't clear emergency condition

« on: November 16, 2011, 05:26:17 PM »

Hi

I have a Smoothstepper with C32BOB.

I did get it all working a year back on the bench but since then have been distracted by other projects. I have now built it all into a nice cabinet and wired up for installation into the machine.

Unfortunately the PC had to be replaced in the intervening time and as a result, I lost the working XML and settings.

On the new PC, I have downloaded and installed mach, the current Smoothstepper driver and plugin and the latest C32 R4 XML, I have re created the input and output port settings in Mach from the scrrenshots in the documentation I did last year. Both PCs run 64bit windows 7.

The PC starts mach up nicely, offers a choice of profiles, offers a choice of interfaces so I take the C32 XML option and the Smoothstepper interface, the 3 working happily lights come up on the smoothstepper, so far so good.

Mach 3 comes up with a re-configuration e-stop, which I clear. It then comes up with an external e-stop which I clear, it then shows an emergency which I clear, this basically goes on forever. It seems to take a couple of seconds to realise that it has a problem after clearing then it goes right back to an emergency.

I have disconnected everything but the smoothstepper and the power for the C32 to simplify the setup, this didnt seem to change the behaviour of the setup.

Have tried setting E stop to active low but no joy so set it back to normal.

Does this sound familiar to anybody. Probably a really simple error, I just cant see it.

Any help / thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

3

VB and the development of wizards / Debugging VB

« on: December 12, 2010, 02:46:07 AM »

A beginner question...

Is there a simple way to log the variable states in a vb script as it runs so that I can see what actually happened after it runs ? (a log file for instance)

I understand stepping through with the VB editor functions but my macro uses waits and timers so runs differently at full speed to stepping through so I need something that lets me look after running to see what happened.

Thanks

Paul

4

VB and the development of wizards / Emco Turn tool changer macro

« on: December 03, 2010, 10:10:23 AM »

Hi

I am in the process of retrofitting an Emco PC-Turn 50 to Mach3. Just trying to get the basics working on the bench (in the warm) and the only remaining obstacle is the tool changer. The tool changer is the type that uses a small dc motor to rotate a 6 position tool holding disk to the relevant position and then reverses against a ratchet to lock into a repeatable position.

I am intending to use the original 6 slot disk and optical detector to count the tool positions round with a microswitch to reference tool 1 position.

Having never attempted a Mach macro before, not entirely surprisingly, my first attempt is throwing errors. I dont understand the error so cant fix it.

I am trying to trigger the macro using M6 Tx (where x is the tool number)

The error message is: Scripter Compile Error. In:M6Start.mis

Can anybody give me a hint / some help with this.

Thanks

Paul

The Macro.....

Code: [Select]

'M6Start.M1s
'Input1 is an optical sensor used to count tool positions
'Input2 is from a microswitch used to determine tool 0 position
'OUTPUT3 drives the tool changer forward, de activating it allows the tool changer to rotate back against the ratchet pawl at low power and is the default

Sub Main()

NewTool = GetSelectedTool()
OldTool = GetCurrentTool()
MaxToolNum = 6 'Max number of tools for the changer
CurrPos = OldTool

While NewTool > MaxToolNum
NewTool = Question ("Enter New Tool Number up to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend

If NewTool = OldTool Then
    'there is nothing to do so we just exit
    Exit Sub

'If OldTool is 0 that means we dont know where the tool changer is currently positioned and need to reference to the microswitch for tool 1 position.
If OldTool = 0
    'need to establish tool 0 position from microswitch
    While NotIsActive(INPUT2)
        ActivateSignal(OUTPUT3) ' rotate tool changer forward
    Wend
    , input 2 must now be active so the microswitch has been triggered
    DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT3)
    CurrPos = 1
Endif

If CurrPos <> NewTool Then
    While CurPos <>  NewTool
        ActivateSignal(OUTPUT3) 'start rotating forward
        If NotIsActive(INPUT1) And Not IsActive(INPUT2)
            CurrPos ++
            If CurrPos = 7
                CurPos = 1
            Endif
            If IsActive(INPUT2)
                CurPos = 1
            Endif
            If CurPos = NewTool
                DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT3) 'stop rotating forward, rotate backward now
                CurrentTool = NewTool 'sets up the current tool variable as the start point for a future tool change
                Sleep(200) 'Allow a time interval for the toolchanger to settle back against the ratchet pawl
            Else
                Sleep(100) 'wait for the motor to rotate past the current position then test again
            Endif
        End If
    Wend
End If

End Sub
Main


5

SmoothStepper USB / Smootsstepper with CNC4PC C32 breakout

« on: November 19, 2010, 05:06:15 PM »

Hi

Has anybody managed to get the Smoothstepper / C32 board combo to work with a non Gecko stepper driver ?.

I read the stuff about easy setup but missed the bit in the documentation where it says only various Gecko drives are supported.

At the moment I'm trying to use a DMD556 stepper driver which has a good spec and a 285 oz/in motor. The board seems to be transmitting, once powered up, the motor holds position pretty strongly and if I try to jog the axis one way then the other, I can hear a slight clunk from inside the motor but no actual movement.

Feels like it is close but not quite there. I'm hoping not to need to buy different stepper drives.

Can anybody suggest anything ?

Thanks

Paul

6

SmoothStepper USB / Smooth Stepper Lathe Conversion

« on: October 25, 2010, 12:59:13 PM »

Hi

I have acquired an Eco PC-turn 50 lathe.

It came advertised as having a minor fault.

The lathe seems in excellent mechanical condition but electronically, it seems a little, well, knackered, I can Jog in X and Y, that's about it.

I have decided to fit new electronics and make a bit of a project of it.

Anyway, on to the smooth stepper related part...

Can I get the smooth stepper to control the tool turret on the machine ?
Can the smooth stepper control the spindle for threading, speed and direction, the spindle seems to be fitted with an optical encoder (disk with lots of holes in a circle and an optical sensor) ?
I want to add flood coolant, presumably just a relay needed for that ?

As the steppers are ye olde 5 phase ones and driving them seems problematic for a new controller, I was thinking of going for a setup along the lines of a smooth stepper, C32 board,  Gecko 320x's and the Kelling 350 Oz/in Nema 23 servos.

Some sort of inverter for the spindle will also be needed.

Any thoughts or advice would be very helpful.

Thanks

Paul

7

General Mach Discussion / Wierd things

« on: September 21, 2010, 06:48:08 PM »

Hi

My first post on this forum.

I have Mach 3 installed running an Ajax controller for a 3 axis knee mill (bridgeport clone)

I am struggling with Mach 3, it does seem to do some odd things, probably operator error but I'm just not getting it.

First oddball thing:

Set up tool length offsets for 5 tools in the library, all set from the same reference face using the manual step jog and trapping a piece of paper between the cutter and the work piece.

1. Go to offsets screen
2. Set library tool number
3. Load toolholder into machine with tool in place
4. Jog machine down until paper is just trapped (finish steps 0.1mm)
5. click set offset button
6. jog tool away from reference face for clearance
7. repeat for the rest of the tools required for the setup

When I run the programme the roughing stage is fine (1st 18000 lines)
Then change tool to the next tool in the set, all looks okay
Then re start the programme.
The next tool is now cutting well up in the air above the part.

Okay, I must have botched the TLO process but I read the instructions, repeated the process and still cant see what I'm doing wrong.

Tried changing the Z axis position to compensate because I just want to get my parts cut (GOUGE) the tool is now cutting 7mm below the surface, should have been 0.5mm skim.

Any ideas ?

Second piece of strangeness

Trying to use the set next line button to get back to just before the tool change mentioned above.
1. Click set next line
2. Enter a line number (18078 for instance)
3. Hit return
4. The current line shows as what it was before changing anything

Tried all sorts of combinations and variations, it seems like I have to
1. select the gcode window
1a. maybe scroll down a bit, it doesnt seem to want to do it from line 1
2. click set next line
3. enter line number
4. Hit return
5. it shows the right line at that point
6. Unless I click set next line again, when I click cycle start it jumps back to where it was before (CRASH).

This interface is confusing and frustrating me.

Does this sound about right or is there something wrong here ?

Any thoughts / comment / help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Paul