Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Homing offsets for slaved axes

« on: December 04, 2011, 06:38:15 PM »

Hi,

I've posted this question over at Warp9 as I'm using a Smoothstepper but i think its more of a Mach3 question.

I'm trying to use homing to square my gantry. I have a limit switch on both side of the gantry. Problem is, my switches on either side of the gantry aren't aligned perfectly. I can't easily adjust the position of my sensors. I was hoping to be to provide a different home offset for either side of the gantry. If i set different homing offsets for the two axes, the slaved axis offset is ignored.

The only way i can imagine i can do this is to unslave the two axis, home simultaneously and reslave. Can i do this? I've tried but it seems to go all wrong and axes end up mot re-slaving properly.

Cheers,
Matty

2

Finished Plugins for Download / Huanyang VFD controller plugin

« on: February 17, 2010, 07:07:22 AM »

Hi all,

I am finally happy to release my plugin for the Huanyang VFD to the world.

This plugin has been written for use with the Huanyang series of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD). It allows Mach3 to control the operation of the VFD via RS485 communication port.

The plugin incorporates the following features
•   Stop & Stop Spindle
•   Set desired spindle RPM
•   Monitor actual spindle RPM
•   Monitor current draw of spindle
•   Triggers ‘Stop’ or ‘E-Stop’ event if commands to VFD fail.

If you have any problems using this plugin please post them here. However please limit it to problems directly relating to the plugin. If you having difficulty seting up the VFD for manual control there are far better places to get help (CNCZone).

Please let me know if you find this plugin useful :-)

A big thanks goes to Mark Hastings for helping me test this and giving me a prod now and then to get this finished...

3

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Spindle DRO not changing

« on: October 28, 2009, 08:33:43 AM »

I'm trying to write my plugin to display the actual spindle speed on the DRO. If try and set DRO 39 ("True Spindle DRO") nothing changes, its always 0. Yet i know my code is ok as if i use DRO 817 ("Spindle requested DRO") then the GUI updates (but not where i want it shown). Is there something else updating the DRO that is overriding my update?

Thanks

4

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Pluging and Macro interaction?

« on: October 26, 2009, 07:27:35 PM »

Hi,

I've just started writing a plugin and everythig is going well so far. I understand how i can implement most of my requirements in my plugin but one thing has me stumped. Can Macros call functions that i write as part of my pluging?
For example, if i write a class in my plugin to talk to a serial port device and poll it during the 'update()' call. But then if i want a specific message to be sent to the device on say and spindle start/stop (M30/M31?) how do i do that? Can i put a function call to my plugin in the M31 Macro? but one is a VB script the other C++ library.

Cheers
MattyZee

5

Mach3 and G-Rex / No further G100 development?

« on: January 20, 2008, 06:18:43 AM »

I recently took the plunge and bought a G100 after putting it off while i was focusing on building my router only to find that the G100 seems to have ground to a halt 

See this thread http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/geckodrive/message/13981

Is there still work being done on the firmware/plugin? I am really hoping i didn't just put $400(+shipping to Australia) down the drain.... I have high hopes for this thing and really liked the idea of having ethernet control rather than parallel port.

I have heard the G100 has really poor slow communication, particularly for many short moves. Which puzzles me as i though the G100 had the capability to be much faster.

I really hope someone can say some good things about the how the G100 is working now so i feel better about my purchace 

Thanks
Matt