Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Multiple MPG encoders MACH3

« on: December 15, 2020, 05:45:09 AM »

Hi I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction.

I am setting up a mill.

Mach3 (licensed), Win 10, UC400ETH motion controller.

I have installed 2 mpg's one to control the X and the other to control the Y.

MPG1 A and B are connected to port 2 pins 10,11
MPG2 A and B are connected to port 2 pins 12,15

In port/pins config I enabled mpg#1 and mpg#2 and set the relevant pins and ports.

Then in function config I ran mpg calibration it worked correctly for mpg1 but it will not read any movement from mpg2.

On the settings tab MPG diagnostics MPG1 shows pulse and velocity, MPG2 shows nothing.

I opened the jog control and ALTA & ALTB have leds lit for X and Y. Setting the jog mode to MPG allows MPG1 to control axis X correctly, but MPG2 does nothing.

If I go back to ports and pins and disable MPG1, MPG2 will now work.

It seems I can only have one MPG at once connected but I'm sure that I must be missing something.

Any ideas?

2

General Mach Discussion / Torch remains ON after cut

« on: September 29, 2020, 02:36:20 AM »

Hope someone can help me here.
I set up this plasma table a year or two back, then it has just recently started to operate incorrectly.

The torch will turn on and off using the torch on/off button and it will turn on and off if I type m03 and m05 into the bar.

But when a program runs, the torch remains lit all the time.

I assume I must have changed something in my config but can't see it. Then I used a backup config file and still the same.

The machine is a plasma cut table UC400eth motion controller. A simple relay turns the torch on and off. I think its connected to output 1.

I have attached my xml and an example of a file that is failing.

3

General Mach Discussion / Collision detection on THC

« on: April 11, 2020, 05:26:08 AM »

Hello

Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

I have a Price Cnc THC and I would like to add collision detection when the digitize input is activated.

I'm not sure of the best route to take.

4

General Mach Discussion / mach 3 plasma table strange happenings!!

« on: July 10, 2018, 05:57:44 AM »

Hello

Just had an issue with my mach 3 installation win 7

Machine has been working fine for a  good while.

it is using a uc 400 eth motion controller.

the problem is that the x and y axis are not moving at the same feed rate (I think)

for instance if the machine is going to start a cut at 100,100 and it traverses diagonally to that point, it will stop at 90,100 and then zero the z, the g code re references the xy point after zeroing the z and so it then moves the x axis to 100.

Unfortunately when cutting radii it turns them into chamfers!

if i enter g code to move on the x axis, the feedrate goes up and down, both on the mach screen and noticeably on the machine.
If i just jog the machine or ref all home then the feed is stable!

The g code files are the same ones I have been using with no problem.
The machine has no stiff points on the axis either way
In motor tuning x and y have the same velocity and acceleration.
Any ideas

5

General Mach Discussion / Strange hole problem

« on: May 01, 2018, 03:08:19 AM »

hello
Wondering if anyone can help.

I have a diy plasma table with mach3



There are 2 files attached both created with sheetcam.

The file 'hole16thc' cuts a lovely hole.

The file 'zbrackets' cuts only the lead in for the hole.

They are created using a simple post processor, I had created them before using a post processor with a floating z with exactly the same results.

I am still in my infancy at reading G code and I'm wondering if the files are ok then it must be something else/

Thanks

6

General Mach Discussion / REF All home

« on: April 27, 2018, 03:07:20 AM »

hello
Is there a way to set up mach3
When I click 'ref all home'
I would like to move the z axis upwards to its limit, then reference the x and y axis, then finally move the z axis  down to reference it.

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks

7

General Mach Discussion / m10 m11 commands

« on: April 24, 2018, 08:04:12 AM »

Can anyone tell me, because I'm new to mach3, these commands don't work for me.
I have output 2 enabled.

I type into the run box on the diagnostics screen M10P2 and M11P2 nothing happens. I expect 1 of the output leds to illuminate.

Is there some other setting I need to alter?

8

General Mach Discussion / Macro or brain???? Help needed

« on: April 19, 2018, 03:05:44 AM »

I have built a plasma table, and I'm trying to add some additional functions.

I have installed a visible laser operated by a spare output.

I wish to write a script or brain ( not sure which is best) that will change M03 output from output 1 to output 6 when an on screen button is toggled.

I have never written any scripts for my cnc but I have programmed in VB.

Thanks

9

General Mach Discussion / M03 Not working

« on: April 16, 2018, 03:06:22 AM »

Hi
Ive just been upgrading my plasma table, but I must have inadvertantly changed a setting somewhere.

When I click 'spindle toggle' in diagnostics it turns on and off my plasma 'cut' relay.

But when I type in M03 or M04 it doesn't operate.
Also if I turn on the relay with the screen button it won't switch off with M05

Could someone just give me a nudge?

10

General Mach Discussion / Adding outputs controlled by custom buttons

« on: March 17, 2018, 09:33:27 AM »

My first post here.

I have built a  Plasma table from scratch which works well.

I am now adding some extra functionality to it.

It uses a UC400ETH notion controller.


I wish to add a custom button to my mach screen.

I am using the spindle relay on my breakout board to trigger my plasma, I would like that when the custom button is clicked another output operates whenever the spindle does.

Reason for this,  I have mounted a visible laser to the plasma torch and i want the laser to operate instead of the plasma cutter, giving a visual 'Dry run'.

I know I can do this with a mechanical switch but I would like to use Mach3 to control it.

I have used Machscreen to add a button and then I assume I need to write a brain or some VB to complete the task.

If someone could point me in the right direction I'd very much appreciate it.