Topics

1

VB and the development of wizards / Tool Path Generation Error

« on: July 17, 2012, 09:06:31 AM »

I have macros that have branches with END statements which rely on captured data from the machine to make them work.

the issue is that when i load a toolpath into mach these branches are causing the machine to stop processing the toolpath.

The simplest example is if you had a door which opens during tool change, and you check that it is open before changing the tool.

i have tried the following

if _____
else

message "ERROR"
code "M0"
dobutton(3)
END

END IF

the do button 3 just generated and error, I am trying to activate cycle stop but vb manual does not refference it.

the end cause the program not to generate so it cannot be run

2

VB and the development of wizards / Stopping macro VB script

« on: July 16, 2012, 06:46:55 AM »

Hi

I am trying to carry out a protected move macro so if i move the machine and the probe hit something it will stop.

I have got the macro to work by comparing the target position and the g31 triggered position but cannot get the macro to stop exicuting

i have tried

code "m0" and Dooembutton(3)

if i do the second i cannot gcode program to load when loading.

I am trying to get the cycle to work in this manor

#100=0 (x position)
#101=0 (y position)
#102=0 (z position)
M1000 (is the protected move macro)

thanks

3

General Mach Discussion / Rotary engraving

« on: February 17, 2012, 03:58:11 PM »

I am thinking of ways to machine on the outside of a ring/diameter using a rotary axis.

1, Take XYZ path substitute A for Y then reconfigure the motor to rotate based on the circumference of the machined diameter.
2, Run machine with the A configure as in Y and rotate based on the circumference of the machined diameter.
3, Scale the Y axis into degrees by a factor given the circumference of the machined diameter.
4, convert the Y values in degrees by Y /  circumference of the machined diameter * 360.

Or is there another way?

4

General Mach Discussion / Save fixture

« on: September 28, 2011, 05:54:32 PM »

Gent's and ladies

I have been using mach for many years but just using the base co-ordinantes without using G54 or G28 commands, I don't see the need to run them on this machine as i don't have multiple setup on the machine and no repeatable tooling for length.

anyway i have switch to a different cam which uses g28 and g54 and i have a lathe setup and mill setup on the same machine.

When i exit and save fixture and reload it now does not remember the position.

Or is it just showing the g53 and not the g54 wcs?

thanks matt

5

General Mach Discussion / mach 3 upgrade problems

« on: May 19, 2011, 04:49:54 PM »

Hi

I have just upgraded my copy of mach to the very latest locked down version.

I unistalled the old version and then installed the new one.

I have two configurations one for a lathe and one for a mill.

when i tried to use the mill it appears that the lathe config is being applied as the the input apears to be doubled but there is no button to turn of diameter in the mill.

The main reason for the upgrade was to use the backlash comp on the Smooth Stepper but i cannot get it to work.

I have the latest plugin and version of mach.

i have entered the backlash com in the backlash option screen, click enable the OK and restart mach.

i move all the axis in the neg direction the hit reference but then the when i try and jog or mdi i am not getting a comp move at 20% feed.

can someone help.

6

General Mach Discussion / Stream lining Key Grabber

« on: March 03, 2011, 03:57:48 PM »

I was wondering if there was a way of modifying the mach short cut to load mach without directly going into the key grabber screens then hitting star mach then loading the profile?

7

General Mach Discussion / thread cutting VS hobbing

« on: January 31, 2011, 04:02:44 PM »

Hi Gent and Ladies

i have been thinking to my self about gear hobbing and how similar it is to tread cutting. I am just thinking that the two processes are very similar, effectively you have a spindle that is rotating in sympathy to a feeding axis though the second axis is rotating. then you have a third axis feeding the cut which is not relative to anything out.

My question is that if you run the spindle at a constant speed and have a signal pulse on the axis and is good enough for thread cutting why is it not good enough for hobbing. My guess and probably the answer to my own question is that due to the time in cut the timing drifts and therefore destroys the gear.

this is just a thought provoking question.

8

General Mach Discussion / G540 / Smooth Stepper and an E Stop

« on: January 24, 2011, 03:47:18 AM »

I am trying to get my G540 drive to work with the smooth stepper. The issue that i have is when i start the mach and the smooth stepper the e stop input won't clear due to the charge pump not firing up because mach won't start the smooth stepper due to the estop.

I am using the error line on the G540 as the E-stop input at the moment.

I know everything is working as i can disable the E stop and no problems. Effectively i need to delay or over ride the estop untill the smooth stepper generates the charge pump signal.

And heres some retro CNC for you!

9

General Mach Discussion / lathe z direction

« on: November 26, 2010, 03:31:42 PM »

Hi,

I am helping a friend set up his lathe but i cannot get the z axis to run in the correct direction. AKA DRO Z+ traveling left to right away from the spindle when the spindle is on your left side.

So far i have tried.

changing the direction pin in Ports and Pin - this corrects it but the arrow keys work the wrong way.
i have also tried to change the Home/Limits reverse setting and combinations of the two.

All has the affect of having the DRO count the wrong way or having the jog go the wrong way.

I have also tried to reverse the motor by switching 2 of the stepper motor wire but this did not seam to have an affect.

is there a method of just changing the key configuration as everything else works fine. I did not build this machine and is a denford mach 3 conversion. i have built two machine and never been stuck like this, and spending excess time in a garage an 2deg C with no progress is not conducive to a clear train of thought.

Matt

10

General Mach Discussion / Spindle Status Signal

« on: May 04, 2010, 05:11:54 AM »

Hi,

I have converted my X1 to cnc and have been running it for 3-4 years. Everything is AAA but i feel more machine development is required.

I am running the standard motor but have designed a belt drive conversion and have been running it for a couple of years.

I am in the process of going to a smooth stepper as getting a reliable PC to run is increasingly difficult and i also went for a relay board to control the spindle. On the current controller this is difficult to implement as it pops fuses if you interrupt the motor leads. So i am designing a pic controlled circuit that integrates with the original controller that ramps up and down the motor. It is also will display the RPM on an LCD screen and i want to include a mach status signal.

My question is how do i get mach to use the Speed Active signal to feed hold the program if this signal is not present?

thanks matt

i am sure it is not dificult but i don't know were to start.