Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4: How to map MPG-X inputs, to Motor-X Step and Direction output?

« on: August 24, 2020, 10:06:59 AM »

MN300 Thanks for the link!  It should have resolved my issue but I'm still stuck.  I don't have a full pendant just the MPG so this should be easy.
 
Steps:
1) I configured the input pins for Encoder_Aux0-A and Encoder_Aux0-B in the ESS plugin
2) I mapped MPG#0 to Encoder_Aux0
3) I added a function to the Screen Load Script
 
--------------------------------------
-- MPG Code --
--------------------------------------
function MapMpgToX()
     mc.mcMpgSetAxis(inst, 0, 0)
end

MapMpgToX()

4) The code compiles and it runs but for some reason the mpg does not jog the x-axis.  So there is something I am missing.  Likely something basic, as if if am missing a button to turn on MPG jogging.  I can jog with the screen buttons just not the mpg. 
   
 

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4: How to map MPG-X inputs, to Motor-X Step and Direction output?

« on: August 20, 2020, 10:48:26 AM »

Software: Mach4 Trial (www.machsupport.com)
Motion Controller: Smooth Stepper ESS (warp9td.com)
Breakout Board: MB3 (www.cncroom.com)
Pulse Generator: Sumtak 100ppr
   
Situation: I have a Sumtak 100ppr standard pulse generator (see attached) connected to the MB3 breakout board on inputs X310 and X311 in accordance to the MB3 manual (see attached diagram).  The BOB's optical encoders for X310 (Input Port-3 Pin-10) and X311 (Input Port-3 Pin-11) are high speed and designed for connecting to an MPG.  When I rotate the MPG, I see the diagnostic LED's on X310 (encoder terminal A) and X311 (encoder terminal B) changing state so I deduce that the BOB is receiving the encoder input ok and passing the signals to the Motion controller and then on to Mach4.

Question-1: In Mach4, is there a way to monitor input X310 and X311 to verify that Mach4 is able to observe the pin state changes? 
 
Question-2: In Mach4, how do I map MPG-X input to Motor-X step and direction output?

Question-3: Is there a section in the Mach4 manual that describes mapping encoder inputs?
 
Breakout Board Manual
MPG setup is described on Page-18 Figure-16.
http://www.cncroom.com/downloads/MB3%20Owner%20Manual%20E13R2.pdf

Thanks!

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to setup a Drag Knife in Mach3

« on: July 07, 2015, 02:43:17 PM »

Thank you Russ, Gerry and TP.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to setup a Drag Knife in Mach3

« on: July 07, 2015, 01:45:34 PM »

Overloaded, that looks exactly like what I need.  I found this video on YouTube that demonstrates what you are proposing: "Adding corner actions to tool paths for the Donek Drag Knife" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNMvzJu9VO8 now I need to try it out!

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to setup a Drag Knife in Mach3

« on: July 07, 2015, 12:16:14 PM »

I took a look at the Ventric Cut2D Desktop Trial version 8.020, nice software but the Tool Database does not appear to have any drag knife support.  Apparently drag knife tools are only supported only in Vectric Aspire $2000 and Vectric VCarve Pro $700 products.
 
Are there any other suggestions?
 

6

General Mach Discussion / How to setup a Drag Knife in Mach3

« on: July 07, 2015, 09:41:52 AM »

Is there MACH3 technique to compensate for the knife offset so that the drag knife cuts sharp corners?

I purchased a drag knife for use with my setup.  The drag knife cuts nice but I can't get sharp angle changes because the knife cuts across all the corners.  Ideally the knife would continue past a corner just a bit then the tool would be moved in an arc around the pivot point before starting the next leg of the path. 
 
Drag Knife User Manual
   
Programming Tips From User Manual: "Create your CAD/CAM file (G-Code) using the same software and methods used to create standard 2-D cut files. To prevent incomplete cuts and ensure sharp, angular, cuts and corners, avoid using radius value less than 0.05 inch. By programming line overruns and ensuring start points are located on straight-line segments, the knife edge will point in the correct direction at the begging of each cut and manual material trimming will be reduced."
 
..."If using CAM software, use “Lead in, Lead out”, “Additional approach,” “Along Curve” or similar functionality."
 

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help with pulse per inch math

« on: August 15, 2013, 12:19:25 PM »

Thanks for the assist!

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help with pulse per inch math

« on: August 15, 2013, 11:43:05 AM »

Gerry!  Thanks for the response.

I don't understand how you came up with 5 turns/inch on the ballscrews. I don't doubt you. I just want to learn and understand.

Thanks!

9

General Mach Discussion / Need help with pulse per inch math

« on: August 15, 2013, 11:11:40 AM »

I have scratch built my own desktop sized CNC.  I have Mach3 working with my three stepper motors and limit switches so now I am attempting to dial in all the MACH3 configuration settings.  Calculating the actual pulses per inch should be simple.  This is what I have:

• Ball Screw, 5/8" Screw Diameter => 13/64" Travel/Turn (http://www.mcmaster.com/#5966k26/=o2q45e)
• WantMotor Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA => 40 pulse per step?? (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=257&pid=82)
• WantMotor 57BYGH420 Motor => 200 step/ revolution (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=160&pid=80)

My problem seems to be knowing what to put into the equasion for the Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA.  The driver documentation shows that with the DIP switches set the way I have them [on-on-off-off] I should expect 8000 pulses per revolution.  I presume that the 8000 pulses per revolution is assuming that I am using their 1.8 degree/pulse motors, which I am.  That would indicate that the driver is giving me 40 microsteps per step (I think!).

Can someone check my math (see attached equation)?  

Thanks!

10

SmoothStepper USB / Re: First Time Setup-Mach3-SmoothStepper Wierdness

« on: May 26, 2012, 02:35:25 PM »

Thanks for the quick reply!   

Test Results:

SmoothStepper Output Tests
X-STP Pin 2: Works perfectly
X-DIR Pin 3: Works perfectly
Y-STP Pin 4: Works perfectly
Y-DIR Pin 5: Works perfectly
Z-STP Pin 6: Works perfectly
Z-DIR Pin 7: Works perfectly

So this means that the SmoothStepper is working perfectly and that the problem is now between the output of the SmoothStepper and the output of the BOB.