Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Getting feedback from mach

« on: November 20, 2013, 08:30:25 AM »

I have got it to work by doing the following.
I am using m6 tool change to read an OEM dro, add something to it and set the OEM dro after every move and then Sets m1 that pauses the application. I have modified the screen to show the OEM dro which gets updated after every move. In Autoit I am using the pixcelcheksum function that looks for change in a specific coordinates of the screen to trigger the next action.
M6
x = getUserDRO(1200)
If x > 100 Then x=0:setUserDRO(1200, x)
x=x+11.1111
While IsMoving()
Wend
setUserDRO(1200, x)
code" m1"

The sequence is
1. autoit loads the gcode file in mach3
2. autoit triggers cycle start in Mach3 and runs the pixelcheksum function.
3. mach3 runs the first gcode line and the next line is always m6.
4. When the DRO change is seen due to change in the pixels autoit triggers another software to do its thing.
5. The process is then repeated as necessary.

The mach3 window must always be sized properly and be on top for this to work but so far it looks very promising.

For those interested, I am using this to control a 3d full body scanner. Mach3 runs the up/down, tilt and rotary table and another software controls the scanning. By controlling the entire process automatically with autoit, a full body scan can be done with one key stroke.
You can see the working of the scanner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqXBjfkeJwE

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Getting feedback from mach

« on: November 17, 2013, 09:10:16 PM »

Thanks for your answer. I will research custom m codes and macro pumps. Any suggestions on how I can send a signal to the other software? I am using an automation software called autoIT that has a lot of scripting abilities but I have not figured out how to get Mach to send a signal to it.

3

General Mach Discussion / Getting feedback from mach

« on: November 17, 2013, 08:25:31 PM »

I need to get feedback to another software after Mach has executed a gcode move. I tried using the incremented lin number on the screen but it increments at the start of the move and before the move is complete. I am triggering another software to do something else after every Gcode move and I am currently using timers to approximate how long the gcode moves will take. This of course is not always accurate depending on the last location of the head. Are there any triggers in Mach that update after the move is complete? Any other way of getting a trigger to another software or updating the screen after a move is complete? Thanks

4

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Mach3 interaction with toher software - need assistance

« on: October 31, 2013, 06:14:18 PM »

I have built a fullbody 3d scanner that uses 4 cameras and 2 projectors. It is mounted on a 4 foot slide for up and down movement, has a tilt axis and a separate rotary table. I am using mach3 to control the movement of the scanner. the actual scanning is performed by Flexscan3d which can be controlled by scripts. After much experimentation and frustration I have found that mach3 will not support calling other programs from VB script. (wshell is not supported). I then tried using automation software such as autoit that works with most Windows software but alas it appears Mach3 somehow blocks this as well.
What I need is the ability in gcode (or mcode) to send Flexscan3d a command to initiate a scan and wait for a response before proceeding to the next line on the gcode.
I am being told that the only way to do this is through a plugin. Unfortunately I do not have visual studio nor do I know how to program in c+.
I would welcome any suggestions or any assistance in getting a plugin written.
I use 3d facial scans to create 3d printed art and hope to be able to do some larger scans with this equipment.
Appreciate any assistance.