Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Various Issues I have run across with Mach 4

« on: March 19, 2019, 02:48:28 PM »

Regarding Acorn:
I recently set up an Acorn based system for a friend. The setup was more straight-forward since hardware and software are well integrated. The user interface was was very polished and easy to use. The documentation was very complete.  Whether or not it is the better choice depends on the user. For those who want to tweak, modify, and tailor their system to work exactly the way they want it to, and are willing do the extra work, Mach4 is the better choice. Those who are willing to accept the functions and workflow of the machine more-or-less as-is, and would rather get straight to cutting rather than configuring, Acorn might be the better choice.
That said, despite terrific support from Centroid, my friend was not able to get his system running (thus my involvement). More straight-forward does not mean it is easy.
On an aside: One of the things that happened when I transitioned from Mach 3 to Mach 4 was that I had to learn more about how everything works. In the end I am happy that this led me to a much better understanding of how things happen "under the hood" which has been immensely helpful in all aspects of the work.

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Where can I find ESS supported versions of Mach4?

« on: March 10, 2019, 05:34:39 PM »

A tardy thank-you.
I was getting an error message with the latest versions, but it turned out that I needed to delete the *.mcc files in my profile's Macro folder and allow them to be recompiled. Now all is well.

3

Mach4 Plugins / Re: XHC WB04 plugin

« on: March 10, 2019, 01:03:52 PM »

I'm curious how this differs from the earlier driver-based XHC plugin by MKULLMAN
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,31332.0.html

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Where can I find ESS supported versions of Mach4?

« on: March 09, 2019, 11:42:06 AM »

Ethernet Smoothstepper is currently compiled against Mach4 version 4.2.0.3882
However the downloads page still has 4.2.0.3804 and 4.2.0.3481 for Hobby and Industrial respectively.
The FTP site has versions 4.2.0.4105 through 4118

Any idea where I could find 3882 Industrial?

PS: It looks like there is a lot of development activity!

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: History Window Display Changes Font Size

« on: August 20, 2018, 09:33:02 PM »

This is a bug that occurs when a line of text does not fit in the box and the text gets resized.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to prevent machine movement before machine is referenced

« on: July 20, 2018, 08:57:57 AM »

Easy? That would be determined by your level of Screen Editor and Lua savy.

To do exactly what you ask -- disable all buttons except Ref All Home would require quite a bit of screen editor tweaking.
A simpler solution would be to modify the Enable button to check to see if axes are already referenced, and if not, ask user if they want to reference all axis.
If yes, enable machine and reference axes
If no, do not enable machine.

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: G-Code for Mach4 vs. Mach3

« on: July 15, 2018, 12:12:34 PM »

Interesting: Vectric tells customers to us Mach3 Post processer as there is no significant differences.

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: My new screenset (and thanks to all)

« on: June 25, 2018, 10:19:11 AM »

The learning curve can be steep, but all it needs is a degree of determination.

Several things I learned:
-- Mach4 Hobby and Industrial screensets appear to be interchangeable. Hobby just ignores the additional cosmetic settings.
-- Screen elements are interdependent. Simply renaming an element can break things. It is important to know what is happening in Screen Load Script and PLC Script.
-- Dragging screen elements is very buggy. They can lose focus and your mouse moves on without the element.
-- When setting attributes for screen elements such as buttons, LEDs, etc it is wise to enable "Snap to Grid" and a large grid value to keep from inadvertently nudging position.
-- When moving an entire group or page, it is much better to "export/delete/import" than cut/paste or "copy/paste/delete original". This avoids renaming issues and makes re-formatting easier.
-- What you see in one computer screen resolution is not what you see on another. Final tweaking and editing need to be done on the target machine unless you are very conservative with font sizes.
-- Save often. There is no undo (only Zuul ;-) ). 

I'm sure my screenset will go through more changes, but I'm happy with the overall look and feel.

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: My new screenset (and thanks to all)

« on: June 23, 2018, 06:07:51 PM »

I neglected to say thank you to each and every one who has responded to my numerous questions, and to the very many who's earlier posts provided immense help as well.

10

Mach4 General Discussion / My new screenset (and thanks to all)

« on: June 23, 2018, 06:03:53 PM »

Attached is a screenshot of my new screenset -- clearly inspired by the Mach3 "Screenset 2010".
Features:
The HOME and ZERO buttons turn green when homed/zeroed.
Pressing "Zero to Laser Crosshairs" sets Zero to the proper offset for my gantry mounted laser pointer, and turns X/Y Zeros green.
Pressing "Probe for Tool Zero" launches a coroutine script which does a fast then slow probe and sets Z-zero (and turns Z Zero green)
M6 is highly customized
1) Checks to ensure machine has been homed -- error if not
2) Records current X/Y, feed, and modals
2) Moves to Z0,  fixed plate loacation
3) If 1st M6 following "Probe for Tool Zero" then fast/slow probes plate for offset and returns to Z zero
4) Prompts for tool change and then fast/slow probes for zero and applies offset.
5) Returns to Z0, rapids to starting x/y and restores feed and modals.

Feedback and constructive criticism much appreciated