Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: M6 Lua script help!

« on: May 13, 2023, 02:19:16 AM »

I have been using Mach 3 on a lathe for years using a stepper motor to index the 8 station turret. I have wanted to move to Mach 4, but have not been able to convert my VBScript to Lua. Please post your results as it may be helpful to others when you get your Hardinge turret working!  Most code examples I have seen are for lathe turrets that are operated with the forward-to-turn and reverse-to-lock method. The stepper setup works great, but the code is different as far as I can tell.  Any help most welcome.

2

PoKeys / Re: Pokey57CNC connection to G320 driver

« on: June 23, 2017, 06:35:49 PM »

I have exactly the same question!!!   This seems like it should be simple, but I have tried many settings without a satisfactory solution.  Here is the link to the instructions for the 320X drive: http://www.geckodrive.com/support/motor-control-manuals/dc-servo-drives/g320x-rev-10.html

Thanks!

3

PoKeys / Analog Device for Feed Rate Override on Pokeys57CNC

« on: October 16, 2016, 05:49:31 PM »

I am looking for a device to be used with a Pokeys57CNC board for the analog inputs for Feedrate and Spindle Speed Override. Any suggestions? Any Gotchas?   I am following the Tutorial on the PoBlog but have not seen a particular device specifications mentioned. 
Thanks, Jim

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Multiple inputs in LUA script

« on: October 16, 2016, 05:25:05 PM »

Bob: I reread the postings and checked out the switches (very interesting) as well as your code.  Starting to make sense. (sorry for the stupid questions) That is a very clever way to control the overrides!
Thanks, Jim

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Multiple inputs in LUA script

« on: October 16, 2016, 03:38:59 PM »

Bob: Thanks so much.   I got my Cycle Start and Feed Hold buttons working. A good start!
FRO and SSO are next.  Are you using a rheostat for analog voltage or some kind of encoder for those?
I am using a Pokeys57CNC board and using their plugin which includes the MPG control and axis and step value selectors.
I'll study some LUA for dummies to make some sense of what is going on.  The last programming for me was a little C in the previous century.
Thanks again
Jim

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Multiple inputs in LUA script

« on: October 15, 2016, 08:43:11 PM »

Bob: I have been following your progress.  Glad to hear of your success.  I would like to see how your put it together if you would not mind posting your final screen script.  I am working on a similar set of controls to update an machine from Mach3 to Mach4.  Any other words of wisdom are appreciated. 

Thanks, Jim

7

PoKeys / Homing Axis Using Encoder Index Pulse

« on: January 10, 2016, 02:41:25 PM »

I am looking to use the Pokeys57CNC board as a motion controller for a lathe to upgrade from parallel port. I have looked over the documentation but have not seen how to set the home position using the encoder index pulse after a homing switch is contacted. I would like to have the homing be as accurate as possible, thus would like to be able to set to the encoder index.  I am currently using Mach 3 Turn but would move to Mach 4 if this homing sequence were available in a plugin. If it is not done from the plug in, please recommend the best method for such homing of an axis.

Thanks, Jim

8

Galil / Re: Galil / Mach3 communications

« on: August 05, 2015, 01:19:08 AM »

Hi Jim;
   I am working on updating a mach3 parallel port control on an ANS Shizuoka mill. It has a summit quickdraw toolchanger. I have the mechanicals now repaired and have started on the control. I have had only minimal success (read has not blown up) using a vb script in the M6Start macro to output signals which close relays that then send signals back to the quickdraw toolchanger. Each relay controls a function of the tool changer, tool in, tool out, turret rotate, etc. My problem is that I cannot figure out how to get Mach to read the 100 msec contact closure which the tool changer needs to go on to the next operation. 

   The M6Start script I used is based on the one I used for my late turret control. It is similar to the various M6Start macros posted on the Mach suport forums.  I am sure there are far more elegant ways to do the toolchanger especially with the Galil control.

   Sorry I cannot be of more help to you with your machine. I would also like to get mine to work when you do get it figured out. I have all the mechanical and electronic schematics if that would be of any help.  Let me know and I can scan and post if need be.

   Oh yes, I am also trying to upgrade from a parallel port of Mach3 to a Galil 2183 control so I can at some point use a stepper motor to control the turret rotation as an axis in Mach.

   Jim Stein

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool change location problem

« on: March 12, 2013, 11:16:30 PM »

Glenn:   I had a similar problem (though it might not be exactly the same) last week when I tried to "upgrade"  from running Mill .020 to something newer.

The machine would just take off for the north (west) forty so to speak.  I looked at everything I could think of...soft limits, configuration stuff....  Finally in a durr moment, I opened up the m6start macro, and it was the same as the one for .020.  Then, the m6end macro, and sure enough, it has a bunch of code that seemed to be for checking the SafeZ clearance.  The old .020 m6end was actually empty.  A bunch of REM statements, and it works just fine, at least for me!   I am sure it could cause some Safe Z problems, but I run all my tools with preset Z values and it has always worked in the past. 

I will be doing some learning of how to write the scripts when I finally get my tool changer set up in the future, but for now it at least works and makes chips.

Just something you might check.

Jim

10

Galil / Re: Adding an A axis

« on: April 08, 2012, 09:49:12 PM »

I have a similar situation. I have a Galil 4 axis control to be used on a 4 axis mill and am looking for a solution to control the spindle and a tool changer turret. The 6 axis Galil boards are a bit pricy.  Any chance the Galil could be used with the new Pokeys Ethernet board? http://www.poscope.com/pokeys56e
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,21247.0.htm

It said something about 25 khz to drive axis motors.  What do you think?

Jim