Messages

1

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: M3 working after upgrading to latest version of mach

« on: November 09, 2015, 12:15:17 PM »

I'm currently emailing back and forth with vital systems support. Hopefully we will get this figured out soon.

2

HiCON Motion Controller / M3 working after upgrading to latest version of mach

« on: November 07, 2015, 11:20:06 AM »

I just updated to version 2 of mach 4. I couldn't figure out how to get my parameters to transfer over so I had to redo everything  I took pictures of all my settings before hand and have been through them several times so I don't think it's that.
Anyways M3/M4 won't start my spindle the S**** will sent a frequency command to the vfd but it won't activate the relay to send the Fwd or Rev comand. I can toggle the spindle on and off Fwd or Rev with the buttons in the lower right corner. But it won't do it in mdi or Gcode. Any ideas of things to try? keeping in mind I'm far from a programmer of any sort.

I forgot to include this I updated the firmware on the Hicon it says 3.12 and put the new plug-ins in the plug-ins folder of mach 4 the 10-09-15 ones

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: how do I change spindle ranges in operation

« on: June 01, 2015, 02:36:14 PM »

A DRO would work fine I'll try that. thanks.

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Mach4 General Discussion / how do I change spindle ranges in operation

« on: June 01, 2015, 12:21:02 PM »

I'm sure there is a simple answer for this but I can't seem to find it. how do I change from one spindle range to the other? I have 2 set up for high and low and have the vfd calibrated to them. but in mach I seem to be stuck in low range (in more ways than one this build has taken over a year but that's beside the point).

 Anyone know if there is button to switch ranges? or has anyone written a script for one? I hope its not too obvious I'll feel like an idiot.

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per calculation

« on: May 13, 2015, 02:48:09 PM »

Thanks I actually did find some backlash that I didn't know was there I'm hoping it's just in the thrust bearing. I'll read through the links and get it figured out. Thanks
my vfd just showed up so I have that to tackle too.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per calculation

« on: May 13, 2015, 12:36:11 PM »

Well I changed it to 50000 and that got me within a few thou. I tweaked with it a bit and ended up at 50120 on the x and 50130 on the y. I'm not sure why it would be off, wear maybe. I  checked to see if it was a 5mm the dial said inches. But with the indicator it was like .1989 or something around there, so in between 5mm and .20 anyways it seems to be working.

No My Wife Is Pretty good but if I don't get this thing done and stop staying out in the shop till the wee hours she might start putting on the pressure. Ha ha course when it's done I'll probably be out there all night machining

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per calculation

« on: May 12, 2015, 12:58:36 PM »

Ok I found it in my servo manual it is quadrature. I'm sure they are 2500 so I'll change it to 50000 and see what I get. I'll have to wait till tonight when I get home. I'll report then what I find. I really appreciate you taking time to help me.

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per calculation

« on: May 12, 2015, 12:36:02 PM »

Ok I'm going to have spend some time with google to figure this out, after I clean the gray matter off my keyboard. So are you saying I should use 10000/.2=50000 in my motor tuning?
just if my controller counts quadrature style?

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per calculation

« on: May 12, 2015, 10:23:42 AM »

X and y are direct coupled. z has a belt but it's 1 to 1. There is a parameter for gearing but I should have it set for 1 to 1. I'll read that section of the drive manual more closely.
sorry for the noon question but what do you mean by quadrature?

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Steps per calculation

« on: May 12, 2015, 09:49:13 AM »

Hi
I'm having issues getting my steps per inch right. I helped a friend do a mill retro fit a year ago with mach 3 and there was a little utility to calibrate it.
the mach4 manual has a formula using your encoder resolution (2500)and the ball screw pitch (.20 per turn) I put in 12500 on the motor tuning but I don't get 1 inch of movement when I mdi 1 inch. Somewhere in the  .85 range, I can't remember exactly what it was this morning.  So would I multiply  .85 (or whatever) by my steps (12500)? If this is a "mathematical relationship" why doesn't it match with the calculation? I'm using teco servos and drives with a Hicon Integra. I hope this doesn't sound too unintelligent I'm pretty new at this stuff, and not very good at expressing myself.