Topics

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Update Mach4 with least pain

« on: March 29, 2023, 09:45:36 AM »

Hi,

I have added lots of scripts to the screen set in my Mach4 but I feel like I need to update to a newer version because my current Mach4 sometimes dives about 10mm into the part and crashes (on start). No matter what I tried just didn't help and I feel really desperate.

1- So what is the best approach on updating Mach4?

2- Can I keep and use my custom screen set in the newly installed Mach4? Or do I copy and paste all the script into the new screen set?

Please note that I don't have any ATC hardware in my mill. I only do manual tool change.

Best,
Suat

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Reading spindle true RPM

« on: January 28, 2023, 12:55:09 PM »

Hi,
Please see the video first.

I have no idea what happened but this was working before. Now the spindle RPM jumps while running.

Machine is a mill. Spindle is a servo. I confirm the servo drive shows the RPM correctly.

But interestingly when I speed up the spindle the range of the jumping numbers narrows. I mean it gets more stable. But slower RPMs are messy.

What could cause this?

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqyhtybhPc

3

Mach4 General Discussion / New with probing. Getting an error

« on: June 18, 2022, 03:46:53 PM »

Hi,
I just installed a 3d probe. Works at 24v. In the Probe tab I click the Measure X (or Y or Z) buttons but I get this error:

Error: Invalid probing G code

I have this file by the way and I didn't touch it.
C:\Mach4Hobby\Modules\mcProbing.lua

This is my first time with probe so I know nothing about probing. Do I need to edit this file to use the probe in this window?

Note: I don't get any error in the "TouchOff UI" screen.

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 Lathe + servo spindle threading problem

« on: May 29, 2022, 01:37:49 PM »

Hi,

I recently Installed an AC servo as spindle motor. This servo runs with step-dir signals. Got some help from @joeaverage and @dazp1976 and some our friends (thanks).

It took me a while to get the servo to run smooth and steady. All turn cycles works except threading. As you see in the video when I start a threading cycle spindle starts running, X and Z axes moves to their initial position then spindle suddenly stops. Then nothing happens.

Mach4 version: 4.2.0.3804
Latest PoKeys plugin and config app installed.

Is this a software bug or something I did wrong?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hpXf1iHkz0

Here's the log file

2022-05-29 19:56:27.639 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_GUI_FOCUS (1030), wparam = 0, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.049 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_GUI_FOCUS (1030), wparam = 1, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.182 - API: mcCntlCycleStart(inst = 0) (Mach4GUI LUA script)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.284 - Attempt transition from "Idle" on event "Cycle Start" MachAPI.cpp:2851
2022-05-29 19:56:38.284 - S_IDLE_on_exit
2022-05-29 19:56:38.284 - ACTION_start_cycle
2022-05-29 19:56:38.286 - S_FILE_RUNNING_on_entry
2022-05-29 19:56:38.287 - S_FILE_RUNNING2_on_entry
2022-05-29 19:56:38.287 - Signal id 1114, (Gcode Running), changed from LOW to HIGH.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.288 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_CYCLE_START (1005), wparam = 0, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.296 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_SPINDLE_CHANGED (1023), wparam = 0, lparam = 500


2022-05-29 19:56:38.297 - Waiting on SetStill...
2022-05-29 19:56:38.297 - Controller::RunCanonBuffer called AddStopReportRequest() RunCanon.cpp:88
2022-05-29 19:56:38.297 - Step&Dir Spindle Direction: 0 RPM: 500.000
2022-05-29 19:56:38.298 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 0 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.299 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 0.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.299 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 2 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.299 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 2.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.301 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 0 - queuing at 112 (move 220593)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.301 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 2 - queuing at 32 (move 220593)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.426 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 0) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.426 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 0 stopped (queued request) - delay of 0 slots stop=112 dev=112
2022-05-29 19:56:38.428 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 2) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.428 - All motors marked as still.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.428 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 2 stopped (queued request) - delay of 2 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:38.428 - Waiting on SetStill is Done!
2022-05-29 19:56:38.431 - Signal id 1121, (Tool Change), changed from LOW to HIGH.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.435 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_CHANGE_TOOL (1000), wparam = 1, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.439 - Signal id 1121, (Tool Change), changed from HIGH to LOW.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Waiting on SetStill...
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Controller::RunCanonBuffer called AddStopReportRequest() RunCanon.cpp:88
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 0 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 0.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 2 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 2.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_CHANGE_TOOL_DONE (1001), wparam = 1, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_CHANGE_TOOL_DONE (1001), wparam = 1, lparam = 0


2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_SPINDLE_CHANGED (1023), wparam = 0, lparam = 300


2022-05-29 19:56:38.441 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_SPINDLE_CHANGED (1023), wparam = 0, lparam = 300


2022-05-29 19:56:38.443 - Step&Dir Spindle Direction: 0 RPM: 300.000
2022-05-29 19:56:38.443 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 0 - queuing at 112 (move 220738)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.443 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 2 - queuing at 32 (move 220738)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.568 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 0) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.568 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 0 stopped (queued request) - delay of 1 slots stop=112 dev=112
2022-05-29 19:56:38.571 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 2) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.571 - All motors marked as still.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.571 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 2 stopped (queued request) - delay of 4 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:38.571 - Waiting on SetStill is Done!
2022-05-29 19:56:38.573 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_SPINDLE_CHANGED (1023), wparam = 1, lparam = 300


2022-05-29 19:56:38.573 - Signal id 1142, (Spindle Fwd), changed from LOW to HIGH.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.574 - Signal id 1141, (Spindle On), changed from LOW to HIGH.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.574 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_IO_CHANGED (1012), wparam = 151394920, lparam = 1


2022-05-29 19:56:38.574 - Waiting for spindle at speed and stable... Spindle.cpp:269
2022-05-29 19:56:38.574 - Step&Dir Spindle Direction: 1 RPM: 300.000
2022-05-29 19:56:38.832 - Waiting for spindle stable DONE Spindle.cpp:274
2022-05-29 19:56:38.835 - Waiting on SetStill...
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - Controller::RunCanonBuffer called AddStopReportRequest() RunCanon.cpp:88
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 0 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 0.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 2 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 2.
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 0 - queuing at 32 (move 221224)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.927 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 2 - queuing at 32 (move 221224)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.930 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 0 - queuing at 32 (move 221225)
2022-05-29 19:56:38.930 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 2 - queuing at 32 (move 221225)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.052 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 2) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.052 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 2 stopped (queued request) - delay of 0 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.058 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 2) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.058 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 2 stopped (queued request) - delay of 1 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.096 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 0) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.096 - All motors marked as still.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.096 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 0 stopped (queued request) - delay of 44 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.096 - Waiting on SetStill is Done!
2022-05-29 19:56:39.101 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 0) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.101 - All motors marked as still.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.101 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 0 stopped (queued request) - delay of 45 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.107 - Waiting on SetStill...
2022-05-29 19:56:39.107 - Controller::RunCanonBuffer called AddStopReportRequest() RunCanon.cpp:88
2022-05-29 19:56:39.107 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 0 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.108 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 0.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.108 - Requesting a stopped report for axis 2 motors.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.108 - Requesting a stopped report for motor 2.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.111 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 0 - queuing at 32 (move 221402)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.111 - [PoKeys] EX_STOP_REQ received for motor 2 - queuing at 32 (move 221402)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.236 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 0) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.236 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 0 stopped (queued request) - delay of 1 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.239 - API: mcMotionSetStill(inst = 0, motor = 2) (unknown caller)
2022-05-29 19:56:39.239 - All motors marked as still.
2022-05-29 19:56:39.239 - [PoKeys] Reporting motor 2 stopped (queued request) - delay of 4 slots stop=32 dev=32
2022-05-29 19:56:39.239 - Waiting on SetStill is Done!
2022-05-29 19:56:39.333 - [PoKeys] Threading
2022-05-29 19:56:39.464 - [PoKeys] Waiting for the buffer to flush
2022-05-29 19:56:39.511 - [PoKeys] Start threading!
2022-05-29 19:56:39.522 - [PoKeys] Trigger armed for threading
2022-05-29 19:56:55.557 - [PoKeys] [msg] PluginInstanceProcessAsyncMsg mInst = 0, msg = MSG_GUI_FOCUS (1030), wparam = 0, lparam = 0

5

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Need help for setting an AASD-30A servo drive as step-dir control.

« on: May 18, 2022, 05:47:36 AM »

Hi,

I have purchased 4 years ago an AASD-30A servo drive with its 1.8kw servo motor. Now I decided to use it as spindle motor on my CNC converted lathe. It is a simple 2 axis lathe.

I have the manual but I don't know which parameters I should change to use it in step-dir mode. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Suat

6

Mach4 Plugins / ShuttlePRO Spindle Override ++ and --

« on: May 04, 2022, 10:10:29 AM »

Hi,
In my lathe I have a ShuttlePRO. I have assigned 2 buttons as "Spindle Override ++" and "Spindle Override --". These functions works but the increments are too big. In my case, my spindle motor RPM range is 100 to 1510. When I press the ++ button the increments are like:
100 > 600 > 1100 > 1510

However I'd like to get smaller increments like 100 RPM each press. And same amount for -- (decrease RPM).

I've searched the lua scripts and couldn't fine any related spindle override method or similar.

How can I control the ShuttlePRO plugin spindle override values?

Thanks,
Suat

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Crash after tool change

« on: April 01, 2022, 05:39:51 PM »

Hi,

I have a very weird problem and I broke too many end mills in one week. Here's the problem:
- I start a program.
- Mach4 pauses on tool change.
- I manually change the tool, move Z axis to position then click I click "ZERO Z" button.
- Then I click cycle start to continue the program.
- Program continues and the Z axis dives into the part and crashes.

I tried the same code on my cnc router with Mach3 but it works good.

The tool change line in the code is:
N115 T2 M6 D2 H2

Note: The M6.mcs is attached

What could cause this?

Thanks in advance,
Suat

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 opens opens windowed but thinks it is maximized

« on: February 11, 2022, 02:55:40 PM »

Every time I open Mach4 it opens as windowed as you see in the attached image. However the maximize/restore button on the top right corner is in restore state so it is actually maximized (confusing?). When I click that button Mach4 tries to make itself windowed. Then the button change to maximize state and when I click it it maximizes (truly maximized).

I always exit Mach4 maximized and expect it to start maximized.

I know its weird. Does anyone have the same issue? Is there a way to fix it?

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?

« on: December 29, 2021, 07:08:11 AM »

I use SolidWorks & SolidCAM and Mach4 for my simple 2 axis lathe.

Looks like SolidCAM can not do elliptic so wonder if there is a plugin like software for Mach4 that allows one ellipse turning?

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 Lathe: Displaying spindle rotational angle?

« on: December 23, 2021, 05:36:44 PM »

Is there a way to display the rotational angle of the spindle? I have an encoder on the spindle so it should possible.

Any ideas?

Thanks.