Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / RFH not working in Plasma

« on: December 03, 2016, 05:26:24 PM »

When I was having issues with the M31 faulting I tried to restart a file with a Run From Here. I use it all the time on my mills and lathe but on the plasma it just started moving right away and the code actually started from the beginning rather than stepping through until the RFH point was reached.

I have spent hours trying to work out why, evenmade a new profile from scratch and tested as I went.
Eventually I have found the issue. It seems if there is a macro called from the G Code which contains a G31  then the problem will happen.
Why it does that I have no idea and it is a bit of a PITA as it means I can not use RFH if I need to for any reason.

I think Set Next Line should work, it certainly seems to be fine in simulation but I will have to test out on the Plasma to be sure.

2

General Mach Discussion / Question for Plasma guys on material sensing

« on: November 29, 2016, 05:16:19 PM »

How do you plasma guys do material sensing, is it G31 G28 or some other way?
Do you have the routine in the M3 macro or do you have separate lines that your post processor spits out or some other method?

Reason I am asking is with mine I have been using a modified  M31 macro that comes with the CS Lab controllers but I am having endless problems with it. I was thinking of just modifying the M3 macro to do a G31, move to pierce height then  turn on the torch.

Hood

3

General Mach Discussion / Lathe threading app for android

« on: October 05, 2016, 07:19:10 PM »

I have had an app on my android for a while which is handy for getting info on threads, the Pro version does metric, metric fine, GasRohr (BSP), Whitworth, BSF, UNF, UNEF and UNC., the free version just does metric and UNC if I recall.
Anyway I just usually used it to get end dimensions for the X when threading whether internal or external but the app could be used to produce code for some controls. Sadly the G76 code produced wasn't compatible with Mach3.
I emailed them and asked if it would be possible to get code suitable for Mach3 and they have just updated the app and you can now choose Mach3 G76

I have no connection with HyperQ who do this app other than a delighted user of it.

Anyway if you want it go to Playstore and search for CTC-20Pro, it is under £5 and well worth it in my opinion.
You can download the free version (CTC-20)  if you wish to check it out but as said the thread types are limited in it.

Hood

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 Lathe problems

« on: August 27, 2016, 04:40:33 AM »

First thing to say is I have only been testing Lathe but it is likely that the screen problems will aslo be present in Mill.

Screen problems
1. Image toggle buttons do not resize correctly until they have been used once, after that they are fine unless the screen is again resized, when they again need clicked once to be correct.
 If the resolution of the monitor is the same as the screenset resolution then there are no such problems.

2. Image button for Feed Hold gets smaller each time you click it until eventually it disappears .



Units Mode
1. With units set to Metric the active plane gets changed to Y-Z next time you look at Mach Config. If you change it to X-Z and press apply it changes  but if you then close and go back to Config you see it has reverted back to Y-Z.   When Units are set to Inch then there is no such problem.

CSS issues
1. When using CSS and you press Feed Hold Mach4 will lock up and the only way to get out of it is to force Mach to close. Feed Hold will usually work ok if the rpm is not changing or in other words the rpm has reached the cap set  by a G50 or the max spindle rpm set in Mach but the axis is still moving or where you are cutting  along the Z axis only and the rpm is not changing.

2. When using Metric Machine Setup G96 needs commanded in cm/min rather than the m/min it should be, for example 200m/min needs entered as 20000.

3. When using a Metric Machine and running metric code the rpm in CSS equates to 20% more surface speed than has been commanded. ie you want 200m/min you need to command 20000 but the rpm at any given diameter is for 240m/min (24000 in code)
So to give an example.
200m/min surface speed at 66mm dia should have the rpm as 964rpm, Mach4 has the rpm at 1157

4. When using G21 (Metric code), on a machine that is set up in Inch units, the G96 is read in feet per minute rather than the m/min it should be. So basically Mach 4 is ignoring the G21 command with regards the G96S*** and always runs it as ft/min.


Hood

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Feedhold and CSS

« on: August 25, 2016, 03:31:42 PM »

I am having issues with Mach4 and CSS mode when pressing Feedhold.
Mach4 will hold but hangs and can not be resumed. Occasionally the Start button will become active but pressing it does nothing and Mach4 hangs.
 The only way to get out of the situation is to close Mach.
 I have also used the standard lathe profile with default screen and the same happens.

See video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LymjO_BSKQM

Hood

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Feed Hold image button gets smaller

« on: August 25, 2016, 03:02:33 PM »

Just wondering if anyone else gets this problem.
I am using Image buttons and each time I press the FeedHold one it gets smaller, see video.
https://youtu.be/yXHipcg-CO4

Hood

7

Mach4 General Discussion / XP and Mach4 error

« on: August 16, 2016, 08:08:01 AM »

Just installed Mach4 on my Chirons computer.
It is running XP.
I get this error message (see pic) when I try and Start Mach4, anyone have any ideas how to solve?

Hood

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Modbus and Sim

« on: August 10, 2016, 05:10:24 PM »

Does the Modbus I/O work when using the Sim as the motion controller?
Reason I am asking is I am having no joy with it.
I can open open the diagnostics for the Modbus and watch an output  bit enable/disable but the PLC doesn't see it.
if I send an Input to Mach4  from the PLC, I get nothing in Mach at al, not even in the diagnosticsl.

I have connected to Mach3 and all works as expected so I know the PLC is ok and the very simple ladder is fine.

Hood

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Struggling with Lua

« on: August 09, 2016, 05:20:33 AM »

Ok really crap at VB and it has taken me years to get to the heady heights of crap

I am looking now at Mach4 and Lua is kicking me hard.

Below is a macro I have for my lathes turret (M6start.m1s)

Code: [Select]

'Toolchange macro for Computurn 290
 

  NewTool = GetSelectedTool() Mod 8
  Oldtool = GetCurrentTool()
   
 If NewTool = 0 Then
  NewTool = 8
  End If
 
 Modtoolout = NewTool - 1
 
 ModtoolIn = NewTool - 1 
   
If NewTool = OldTool Then 
End
End If


 
 
 Do                                       
 Call SetModOutput (Modtoolout,1)                 
 If GetInput (ModtoolIn) Then Exit Do           
 Loop
 SetCurrentTool( NewTool )
 sleep 10
 Call SetModOutput (Modtoolout,0)
Sleep 1000
If GetInput(42) Then
 Message ("Toolchange Complete")
  Else
   MsgBox( "Turret failed to clamp, Programme stopped")
   DoOemButton(1003)
End If


 I am trying to get it into lua but really struggling with the modbus part especially. I have gotthe mod part working fine and think a repeat will do what the Do Loop in the VB does, just not sure how to get it looking at the modbus I/O.
Below is my quick adaption of the default m6.mcs and what I have works fine.

Code: [Select]

function m6()

local inst = mc.mcGetInstance()
local NewTool = mc.mcToolGetSelected(inst)%8
local OldTool = mc.mcToolGetCurrent(inst)
--local ModtoolOut
--local ModtoolIn
     
if (NewTool== 0) then
         NewTool = 8
    end



if NewTool == OldTool then
mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, "Current tool == Selected tool so there is nothing to do")
return
    else

--Remove this line if you would not like the Z axis to move
--mc.mcCntlGcodeExecute(inst, "G90 G53 G0 Z0.0");--Move the Z axis all the way up
--mc.mcCntlToolChangeManual(inst, true);
wx.wxMessageBox("Tool needs changed to".. "  ".. NewTool)
        mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, "Current tool == " .. tostring(NewTool) .. "   Previous Tool == " .. tostring(OldTool))
mc.mcToolSetCurrent(inst, NewTool)
end
end

if (mc.mcInEditor() == 1) then
 m6()
end

Anyone have any hints or links to docs which might help?

Hood

10

Mach4 General Discussion / CSS Mach4 lathe Metric

« on: August 08, 2016, 04:03:11 AM »

Seems that the surface speed in Lathe is in mm/min rather than the normal m/min.
I have looked but can not see where it can be changed, anyone know?

Hood