Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Time Log-File Macro

« on: December 10, 2012, 05:59:58 PM »

Hi BR549 or is it Terry? or both

Back in 2009 you posted a macro to record time date etc and log it.
I have just finished building a tangential cutting machine for cutting composite materials.

I would like to record the time that the machine uses the cutting knife so I can get some indication of when to change the knife, before it becomes to blunt.

The machine also has a pen to write on each part.
Both the pen and knife are controlled by separate air cylinders and I am using the mist control and flood control to control each on.

When I need to use the pen plus the knife I use M7 for the 1st part of the G-Code program (all the letters and numbers etc) M9 to turn it off then in the cutting section of G-Code I use M8 which activates the Knife. At the end of the program before the M30 I again use the M9 code.

What I would like to achieve in the log is as your march 28 2009 post is all of the details you had included but a separate section for both the knife and pen.

Some times I will run the knife only or just the pen only.

I would also if possible like the data to be sent to an excel file.

Also if it it not too difficult after the data is written or "printed" in the  file another macro will close Mach3 and shut the computer down.

I would like to have the Macro's available to just add into the G-Code file either automatically when I program it or add it. I am using Cambam to generate the G-Code.

Some years ago I downloaded and used a program called ExportXL which I used to export data from Autocad straight into excel.  It was written by a programmer from Greece and it it is brilliant. I may be able to ask him for some help if need be about getting  into excel but need to get the basics and starting point first.

I have been able to understand some macro's and write a few in excel but having some difficulty in the Mach 3 macro's.

I have read many of your posts and see that you are a bit of an expert at macro's and Vbasic

I am having second thoughts about the M30 closing down mach 3 and computer so don't worry about that

Thanking you and looking forward to reading your reply


Evan Thomas

2

General Mach Discussion / tangential knife machine needing macro for actuating a pen

« on: September 03, 2012, 02:34:49 AM »

Hi
I have been making a Tangential cutter and it is working well at last. Have had some trouble with jerking around curves but overcome that, thank goodness.
I am using the Z axis for a pneumatic cylinder for working the rotary cutter and it is activated by the direction pin on/off. works like a dream. Cuts square corners and also very good small curves.

As I need to have part numbers on the parts I am cutting I have set up a pen and again it is to be actuated with another pneumatic cylinder.  
The center of the pen holder is offset both in the X axis (113 mm)and Y axis (23 mm).

My thoughts for the part No' procedure is to use layers in the dxf program and then in my post processor (CamBam) have two sections of the gcode.
I would firstly apply the part numbers and then change over to the cutting knife.

Should work I hope but I need some assistance or thoughts on how to set up this second pneumatic cylinder and how to offset the center.

The change -over of the solenoids from one Cylinder to the other I thought I could use a relay to switch the circuit.

I have thought that maybe a macro would be the best way to go.

My circuitry consists of a smooth stepper and 2  C 10's so I have few extra inputs and outputs I can use.

I also have fitted a industrial joy stick with 8 push buttons and I use this for jogging around the 6 M by 2 M table etc.

Can someone help me with a macro that I could use, if this the best way to go.

BTW would anyone be interested in how I overcame the jerkng around the curves ??

Many thanks in advance

ET  

3

General Mach Discussion / tangential knife rotation problem

« on: July 15, 2012, 06:55:41 AM »

Hi all

  I am seeking help with a problem about rotating a knife.

I have set up a 4th axis with the A axis rotating around the Z axis.
my table coordinates are such as X0 and Y0 axis are to the left hand corner.

I am using NC PLOT as post processor and when I run the generated program the knife rotates correctly in the X++ and X-- direction but is reversed in the Y++ and Y--direction .

Have also tied CamBam demo and same thing occurs.

Have searched this Forum and others but cannot find any info as to why this occurs.

some inner thoughts !!!

If the dxf file imported into NC Plot or any other PP has the coordinates X0 and Y0 not in the lower left hand corner as in my machine, but the X0 is as my machine Coordinate (left hand lower) but Y axis is in Right hand lower corner

Could this be the problem ?

If so can a Mach3 setting in config overcome this ??

have tried changing  configs etc in Mach3 but  does not overcome problem.


many thanks for your help I hope!!

ET

4

General Mach Discussion / Help for Jogging with Joystick

« on: June 17, 2012, 10:46:38 AM »

Hi all
I would appreciate some help in setting up and jogging with a Joystick.
I'm building a 6M by 2M cutting machine and have an industrial joystick with 8 buttons and a trigger (came from a container crane).
I am using a smooth stepper with 2 C10 breakout boards for controlling.
I have setup the Joystick to function and it works well, can start and stop program and jog X Y and A axis plus other functions using OEMs etc.
However I have a problem that I cannot seem to overcome.
I want to jog or move the knife cutter to a certain position on the table and then zero the axis and start the cutting program from my selected position on the table.
I have set my speed at about 30,000 units per Min for running the program and this works well. However when I jog using the joystick the speed is the same and I need to jog at a much lower speed to accurately position the knife.
I can zero OK but need to change the jogging speed. Is there a method of slowing down the jog feed speed ??
Could someone help to point me in the right direction to achieve this. I have some spare buttons to use.
Thanks

ET