Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Active line in the is not is not in sync with the machine

« on: May 23, 2023, 08:15:13 AM »

Thank you for the detailed description of the interaction between Mach4 and ESS.  The parts made are correct.
In this case it is not a speed issue since it is in single block mode.
For example:
After a tool change, the next selected line is G00 Z15
I click "start".  Nothing happens.
The next line is G00 Z1.  Nothing happens.
The next line is G01 Z-2.  It finally moves.

( By single stepping on a new project, after a tool change, I can verify that the height is 15mm so my offsets are correct)
Bertho

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Active line in the is not is not in sync with the machine

« on: May 22, 2023, 10:38:34 PM »

Single stepping through a program, the display highlights the line that will be executed next.
That worked perfectly in Mach3.
In Mach4  and with Warp9 ESS  it is not reliable, sometimes that highlit line is three-four steps ahead of the machine movements.
I am using Mach4 software  .4809 and the ESS is 285.
Bertho

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Single block cannot be enabled at tool change

« on: May 22, 2023, 10:25:06 PM »

At first enabling single block works fine.
At a tool change, I like to be able to enable it to carefully step though a few lines after the tool change to see if I made an error with tools numbers or offset.
Since the machine is not moving, I ought to be able activate it.
I do not remember that problem with Mach3.
Bertho

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard jogging safety

« on: February 28, 2023, 09:46:26 AM »

Thank you for responding.
My point is that the keyboard jogging only ought to be active in the main screen and that would solve the issue.

Pendant:
I have an old iMach pendant from Mach3 days.  Vista-CNC has a very easy procedure to update the firmware to be compatible with Mach4.
The installation on Mach4 was very smooth and it works fine.
Bertho

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard jogging safety

« on: February 27, 2023, 04:51:05 PM »

Craig,
You are arguing against a basic concept: Equipment should be as safe as is reasonably possible and they should behave in an expected manner.
Why argue that it needs to be unsafe?
Disable the keypad jogging if not in active mode and there is a safety improvement.

By the way, I was not using a word processor, I was using the Mach4 "Edit Gcode" function.
Bertho

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard jogging safety

« on: February 27, 2023, 03:16:25 PM »

Craig,
I understand the option is there to not use the jogging keys.  You are assuming that only one person is using a machine, there can be various employees, spouses, and kids.  I am not referring to my machine,  Mach4 is sold to the general public and it ought to not have unexpected behavior.

I cannot think of a situation where you need to use the cursor jogging while you are editing gcode.  They ought to be disabled if the main window is not in focus.

I have solved my problem by adding an iMach Vista CNC pendant.  I am writing this to help other people and help Mach4 to be even better.
Bertho

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Keyboard jogging safety

« on: February 23, 2023, 10:57:24 PM »

I had a nasty surprise today:
I was running a program and switched to editing the file and as expected, a new normal looking editing window opened up with the Gcode to be edited. All was fine until I used the cursor keys to move the cursor. The laser moved! The cursor keys were not released when the focus window was switched.

From a machine safety point, if something is non-standard or unexpected event happens, it can be a safety issue or a broken tool or part.
Mach4 ought to disable the modified keys when switching to the editor window.
Bertho

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard short cuts & editing current Gcode

« on: February 19, 2023, 09:09:13 PM »

Thanks!
Once I get things working properly I will be modifying the screen.
I am surprised that there are so few screens available.
The Newfangled site has a manual lathe, a manual mill,  and a CNC coil winder screen.
Presumably I am looking in the wrong area.
Bertho

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard short cuts & editing current Gcode

« on: February 19, 2023, 08:34:23 PM »

I am sorry for all the confusion on my part.  I am used to Mach3 with the edit button always there.
On Mach4 I was in the jog mode and did not remember to switch to the file option to edit.
Thanks again for great support.
Bertho

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Keyboard short cuts & editing current Gcode

« on: February 19, 2023, 05:05:16 PM »

Thanks for all the replies.
I am just switching from Mach3 to four and the first implementation is a laser cutter.  The Mach4 & ESS installation came with four screens.
I saw an error message on the plasma screen so I switched to the supplied router screen to get it up and running and I planned to later find or create a laser screen.
The installation screen is wxRouter.set so that explains my problem. 
Why would Mach4 installation include a limited function screen?
I previously received a copy of laser screen but it will not load, apparently it is corrupted or missing some support files.

What screen set should I use?