Topics

1

PoKeys / New Mach4 plugin brings an Connection to slow error after update.

« on: August 28, 2017, 04:30:20 PM »

Just updated to Plugin ver. 3418 (20.08.2017). Now i get a Message that my connection is to slow.
But my remote controler seems to work without problems.
Can i disable this warning message. ?

Windows 7 64
Pokeys 56 U Device
Mach4 3418
Plugin without problems 09.05.2017

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Read out User defined fields from Tool table

« on: February 05, 2017, 01:58:35 PM »

Hello, is there an easy way to read out User defined fields from the Tool table.
I already played with mcToolGetData and the UsrField.... values from the tool table.
The API documented types from "mcToolGetData", have the same name like in the tooltable.tls. For example:FieldType1=MTOOL_MILL_HEIGHT:Float(-1,4)
Tryed to use my defined name, but no luck.

Thanks
Gerd

3

PoKeys / Problems to use Mach4 Outputs.

« on: October 03, 2016, 06:03:11 AM »

I'm just about to build a remote controller for my Lathe.

To indicate the 100% level, e.g, for the FRO, i want to use a LED.
I have a code like this.

        if CurrentFRO == 100 then
      local hReg = mc.mcSignalGetHandle(inst, mc.OSIG_OUTPUT0)
      local Ret = mc.mcSignalSetState(hReg, true)
      mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, "is 100 " ..CurrentFRO)
   else
      local hReg = mc.mcSignalGetHandle(inst, mc.OSIG_OUTPUT0)
      Ret = mc.mcSignalSetState(hReg, false)
      mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, "not 100 " ..CurrentFRO)
   end


I asigned the Output0 to PokeysDeviceBla, Pin30 in the Mach4 Output Signals Tab.
But the LED will not lit up when the FRO is 100%.

The strange thing is, the Output is not listed in the Pokeys Plugin settings mapping Tab. But all the Inputs i used.
Is there a additional step needed to use the Outputs.?

All other functions like the Encoder to controll the FRO, SRO, Jograte and all Buttons working like expected.
Also when i play with the Pokeys software, the LED is working.

4

PoKeys / After update to 4.1.65 Homing problems

« on: May 28, 2016, 01:57:42 PM »

I just updated my controller to new version 4.1.65.
But now the Homing function works not like before.
Unfortunally i killed my X Axis sensor.
It looks like the homing does not stop the motors immediately after the signal comes.
My X home switch is also the end switch therefore i have just a few mm for stop.
After downgrate to an earlier Firmware version all is Ok again.

5

PoKeys / Motion step Overflow when i use two MPG's at same time

« on: April 08, 2016, 11:56:33 AM »

My Lathe has two Encoders to operate the machine also conventional.
With Mach4 i have the problem when i use two Encoders at same time, i get a Motion Step Overflow Error with some random error codes.
But this only happens, when i start turning both wheels at same time.
When i start one Wheel and the second after, then everything seems to be ok.
I use newest Pokeys and Mach 4 versions.
Maybe i did something wrong in configurations.
I tried to use the Pokeys Plugin settings to map the MPGs and the Multiplier but i didnt work.
Now i used the Mach 4 Mpg settings to connect the wheels and a LUA Signal script for the Multiplier.
The unconventional Multiplier values i used, (screenshots) is balanced to my motor settings.

6

PoKeys / Mach3, Pokeys57CNC, problems with Spindel Index.

« on: March 27, 2016, 05:25:20 PM »

Hello Folks
currently i am working on my Lathe to wire up with the PokeysCNC Board.
The most things are working good, but some things are very strange and i can not realy find a solution.

Spindel Index:
With the Spindel index i tried nearly everything. Proximity sensor, optical sensors, NPN and PNP. I also tried different kind of Pokeys input pins.
I watched many Youtube videos regarding Spindel index. Read forum articles etc.
I also tried out older Mach3 versions and played with all Index related settings.

The signal from the sensors seems to be Ok on my Oscilloscope. Even with higher RPM.
But in Mach3 it will not shown the current RPM.
When i manual turn the Spindel over the sensor gap, the Mach Index LED lit up.
But when the Spindel turns slowly by the Motor the LED does not lit up in RPM frequency. It looks like the signal drop out from time to time.

In MPG mode i can not start the most commands:
I replaced my iron wheels with two Encoders to work still conventional with the Lathe.
It works better then i expected.
But one thing is really bad.
The most Screen command are seems to be locked in MPG mode. I always have to switch, at least, in to continue Mode to Zero, Start Spindel etc.

Stop Button de-ref all Axis:
This is also very annoying. Everytime when i hit the Stop Button i have to reference all Axis again.

I don't know if these issues are Mach3 or Pokeys related. But i also use Mach3 with my Mill and a Smoothstepper Board.
Here i have not this strange things.

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach turn, Stop Button always de-ref Axis. MPG mode can not Zero axis etc.

« on: March 23, 2016, 06:54:06 PM »

Hello all.
I hope somebody can help me.

I just working on my Lathe to go also CNC like my Mill.
The Mill is running with Mach3, ESS and a Closed-loop system and runs fine so far.
But in Mach3-Turn i got some different behavior.

On the Lathe i use a Pokeys CNC Board and a Closed-loop system to drive the machine.
To work still conventional, i use two encoder wheels mounted on the machine. It works absolut great without any delay with the Pokeys Board.
Two things are very exhausting.

1. Always when i push the Stop button, the machine is going to de-ref all Axis.
2. In MPG mode it is not possible to Zero an Axis, load a cnc program, Ref an Axis etc. I always have to switch at least in to Continue mode to do that.

I don't know if it is a general Mach-Turn problem, or something together with the Pokeys board.
Or maybe i didn't noticed a special setting in Mach-Turn to disable this.
But it would be nice if it works just like on my milling machine.

Many thanks
Gerd

8

PoKeys / Invert axis direction always changing to active

« on: October 13, 2015, 05:05:35 PM »

Hello,
i need some help to find out why always after i changed the MPG mode in Mach3 the check box “Invert axis direction” is going to active and the motor turns wrong.
I started from scratch many times. Deleted the “PoKeysMachConfig.xml”, reset the device and used a new mach profile.
But I cannot find the problem.
The behavior is just on one Axis. When I uncheck the box the motor turns correct again. But after changing the MPG mode, box is active the motor turns wrong again.

Thanks
Gerd

9

PoKeys / Can i change the Pulse engine parameters without the Pokeys Program ?

« on: September 13, 2015, 04:45:13 AM »

Last days i am little bit experimenting with the Pokeys Pulse Engine, CNC Addon Board two stepper and two encoders.
My future plan is to convert my chines lathe to CNC. But the machine should also be used in a conventional way.

The idea is to use the two Encoder wheels instead of the current wheels to drive the machine.
With the pulse engine and the Jogging mode, this could work without any lags.
But to activate the Jogging mode and changing the Encoder multiplier i need to start the Pokeys Software.

Is there a way to control this internal Pulse engine parameters with the Pokeys board directly.
Maybe routing the parameters to any output or input pins of the board. ?
Then i could activate or change this parameters with switches.

One other question, what can i do with the Jog speed slider on the bottom of the Pulse engine dialog. ?
I tried to adjust, but not really happens when i turned the encoders.

10

PoKeys / Pendant, Pokeys USB Board, Encoder values glitches in Mach3

« on: October 17, 2014, 08:19:50 AM »

Hi Guys,
weeks ago i finished my Mach3 Pendant with a Pokeys USB board.
So far everything works like expected, but i have a problem that my encoders value jumps up and down.
I can't see any movements in the pokeys diagnostic page, but the Mach3 Encoder positions jumps up and down for some values.
This results in speed jumps when i use the Rotary encoders for moving axis, Spindle and feed override.
Thats a very uncomfortable feature i don't realy want. 

I use the Pokeys Rotary encoder for axis moving and two ALPS 15/30 pulse/detent (STEC11B03) encoders to adjust the feed and spindle speed.
In case of spindle and feed speed, I tried different solutions to connect to Mach3.
Macropump script, Brains and the pokeys plugin to connect to the DRO's directly.
Same results.

I also use a double shielded cable to connect the pokeys board.
But nothing helped.

Is there any other Trick to rid off this unwanted feature.
Do i need any additional resistors or capacitors to connect between the encoders to remove glitches. ?

Thanks
Gerd