Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / homing

« on: October 18, 2016, 12:45:01 PM »

I am use to homing the machine by hitting Home and then the axis will go to the home switch, stop, go backwards slowly, then go forwards slowly to hit switch again.  This makes an accurate home limit.  

My question:  is this function controlled by Mach3 or by the machine board?  In other words, does Mach3 give the board commands to do this (move fwd, move backward, move fwd again) or is it automatically done by the board when Mach3 gives it the home command?

2

General Mach Discussion / recommended 5-axis usb board for Mach3

« on: October 18, 2016, 01:56:20 AM »

What is an affordable but decent quality control board to drive 5 stepper motors (XYZAB) using Mach3 and a USB cable? Doesn't have to have any fancy features but needs to be able to use soft limits and go to home where it slows down at the last little bit and then zeros (my current board it will replace just slams into home and then I have to reset the machine).

No ESS, etc. , just a usb cable from the computer to the board.

Thanks folks.

3

General Mach Discussion / foam cutting screenset gcode input

« on: June 24, 2016, 12:19:29 PM »

How do I enter individual Gcode commands with this screenset?

http://devcad.forumfree.it/?t=67621349

And if it wont' let me then what can I add to allow me to put in individual codes so I can move the axis, etc without writing a program each time?

4

General Mach Discussion / changing/adding function code vs writing macro script

« on: April 14, 2016, 04:51:13 PM »

I am trying to run a foam cutter and my board won't accept a XYAB axis, only XYZA.  So I need to change the foam screenset to jog Y & Z together (not Y and B per function codes 354 and 355).

So can I modify an existing function code?

Or can I add another function code and use an existing one as a template (like add function codes 356, 357)?

Or do I have to write a script and call that out for the button?

If the latter what would the scripts say to accomplish:
 
Jog Together Y & Z ++
Jog Together Y & Z – 

Thanks guys.

5

General Mach Discussion / z-axis only goes one direction

« on: April 13, 2016, 11:16:27 PM »

The z-axis will only go one direction.  Sometimes it seems to reverse directions.  But when I press on the page up and page down keys the z goes the same way.

And it's the software because when I switch to another motor (axis) it will do the same thing.

What's going on with the Mach3 software?

6

General Mach Discussion / help with VB script for z-height probe

« on: May 21, 2014, 06:55:04 PM »

I found this online and got it to work a little bit but it isn't exactly what I'm after.  Maybe one of you sharp VB folks can help me adjust it a touch?

Basically it doesn't seem to create an error when it goes down and tries to find the plate and can't and hits the Zmove distance.

I would like it to move (not jog/rapid) the Z axis down the ZMove distance.  If it doesn't touch the plate then it will immediately go back up to where it started from and send a message "Touch Plate Not Found".  If it does contact the touch plate then it will go back up to Zsal and the DRO will read correctly.  

+++++++++++++++

'VB Code Start
'-------------------
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)
DoSpinStop()

ZMove = 0.5 'Total length of Probe to move before Stop or no Contact Made.
ZOffset = .125 'Plate Hight
ZSal = ZOffset + 0.5 '+ Free Height, Will position the probe 0.5 over the material.

StopZmove = 0
If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P2.5"
Code "G31 Z-"& ZMove & "F25"
While IsMoving()
Sleep(200)
Wend
Probepos = GetVar(2002)
If Probepos = - ZMove Then
responce = MsgBox ("**ERROR** " , 4 , "Probe **ERROR**" )
Code "G0 Z10"
StopZmove = 1
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
If StopZmove = 0 Then
Code "G0 Z" & Probepos
While IsMoving ()
Sleep (200)
Wend
Call SetDro (2, ZOffset)
Code "G4 P1"
Code "G0 Z" & ZSal
Code "(Z zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
Else
Code "(Check Ground Probe)"
End If
Exit Sub
'-------------------
'VB Code Stop

7

General Mach Discussion / can't send spindle signal

« on: May 04, 2014, 09:11:56 PM »

I'm trying to send step/dir signals to a cnc4pc C6 spindle control board and am pulling out my hair.  I have the spindle motor output set to pins 8 and 9 and the C6 board connected to these pins and it just sits there, nothing.  I tried all kinds of different combos of low active, etc and nothing works.  I have it set just like the C6 instructions say too.

I connected the step and dir connectors on the C6 board to pins 2 & 3 (x-axis) and it seemed to vary the voltage (0-10v) just fine when I moved the axis so it seems like the spindle command in Mach3 just isn't sending a signal to pins 8 & 9 for some reason.

Ideas?

8

General Mach Discussion / tool changing gcode for no toolchanger

« on: April 09, 2014, 12:36:22 AM »

My CAM software is outputting a g-code of M6 T1 for tool changes within my program.  I think this is really messing me up because I don't have a toolchanger so when I put a new bit in the spindle it throws my coordinates off.

How can I set up Mach3 to go to do something like this when a M6 T1 is called: turn off the spindle, go to a preset position in absolute machine coordinates, then let me put in a new bit, let me move around with the keyboard to go to a new z-zero, and then let me set a new z-zero (only, not x & y), and then let me move the spindle somewhere safe to start, and then let me continue with the program so that it doesn't forget where it's local coordinate system is?