Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Hotkeys for buttons on screen...

« on: April 22, 2009, 07:40:39 PM »

How would I set up a hotkey to zero the x and y axis values?

I want to be able to zero the DRO for X axis, by pressing "x" and the same for "y". How would I do this?

2

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / New control computer, cant get dsp software to work.

« on: April 22, 2009, 05:13:28 PM »

I dropped an I beam on my computer and its done.

I had my config files backed up on a flash stick, unfortunately that was on the side of the computer at the time and it got messed up too.

Anyways, replaced the head and went to re-install the software with no success.

I installed the dspMC software and tried to run the hardware ugrade tool so I could pull the config off the motion controller but I cant run either of the dsp programs. I get the error message:

"This application failed to start because the applications configuration is incorrect. Reinstall may fix the problem"

I reinstalled and restarted and no fix. I tried my old version of the dsp software as well as the new version. Any ideas why the software wouldnt run on a normal XP computer?

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone even built a plasma/torch tube profiling machine?

« on: February 17, 2009, 10:23:37 AM »

Thats pretty much what i was wondering, what exactly other people have done to simplify the process of converting different diameters into a flat axis circumference etc. Is there software that can convert a tube into a flat pattern auto etc...

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Application, Mach3 torch height control.

« on: February 17, 2009, 10:22:14 AM »

It has become apparent to me that the motion controller i have only has analog inputs for the servo drives, so unfortunately i have no ability to use analog inputs at this time. I was in contact with Jim and soundlogicus about his THC and will likely order that when the time comes, it operates of a few simple I/O's and integrates well with Mach.  Im still trying to decide if I want to remove the table on my plasma and replace it with a water table etc, if i did that, i think i could get it flat enough to eleviate the need for a plasma, as the water table should reduce plate deformation etc, im gonna see how it plays out.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone even built a plasma/torch tube profiling machine?

« on: February 13, 2009, 01:08:06 PM »

I dont think so, most torches have a manual height adjustment knob and unlike plate, the tube isnt going to deform or move around while you're cutting it. As for rotating around the part, i think this could have some serious problems while using most common plasma machines, i dont think the consumables would last long cutting upside down. If your tube is done right, you should be able to notch the ends before you bend.

Check out this setup,
http://www.youtube.com/v/qUuHfi0QmTI&hl=en&fs=1

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone even built a plasma/torch tube profiling machine?

« on: February 13, 2009, 10:13:29 AM »

Well, if you have a 3d cad software with a sheetmetal option, you can draw your tube with the profile and unfold it. But you would have to adjust the scale factor on the rotary axis to match the circumference or width of the flat pattern to match. I would just like to know how they do it on actual machines out there... i think you could easily achieve a result, but i dont think it would be all that intelligent or easy to repeat for someone else using your machine.

You could just have a difference mach profile for each tube diameter though....

Anyone run one of these?

Ps. Heres a tube a tried drawing in Inventor, i just drew 2 179.9deg bends off a center line on a flat pattern and applied my cuts once it was folded. Unfold it and you have a flat you could import into Mach3.

7

General Mach Discussion / Anyone even built a plasma/torch tube profiling machine?

« on: February 12, 2009, 02:17:32 PM »

I was thinking it would be quite easy. All i need is a worm reducer with a 4 jaw chuck driven by a servo and a single axis of movement to cut the profile. Just wondering if anyone has tried this and how the control could be worked to do this...

It could just be done by converting tubes into flat patterns and using the rotary axis as a flat axis, but the scale factor would have to be adjusted to ever tube diameters..

Any thoughts?

8

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: Analog inputs.

« on: February 09, 2009, 12:33:31 PM »

Gotcha. Ill have to do a little work around

9

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: Analog inputs.

« on: February 09, 2009, 11:40:02 AM »

7761S, how do you access oem dros? can you assign a port/pin(input number) to the analog signal?

10

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Analog inputs.

« on: February 09, 2009, 11:26:01 AM »

My dspMC is capable of 8 Channels Analog Inputs, Range 0..5Volts, 14-bit Resolution. Im curious as to how i would utilize this through Mach3.

It would be ideal for me to be able to utilize some of these inputs in my macros, just wondering if its even possible?