Topics

11

VB and the development of wizards / Text Message

« on: March 14, 2011, 08:15:53 PM »

Anyone ever write a VB script to send a text message to a phone via the internet?

Dan

12

General Mach Discussion / Output 1

« on: February 06, 2011, 06:43:54 PM »

I hooked up the solenoids to a separate 12v power supply (see modify diagram below).

I have them connected to the Gecko #6 which is output #2. I would like them to activate when the spindle comes on but so far I cannot figure out how to active the solenoids. I have the mach3 config page inputs and outputs for port 1 pin 1 but I don't know how to "trigger" the gecko?

13

General Mach Discussion / replacing manual valves with electric valves?

« on: October 28, 2010, 11:44:46 AM »

Being a total neophyte when it comes to anything electrical/electronic I may be asking a very simple question.

I have an air line for my NSK spindle and a drip coolant line that both have small manual valves for shut offs.  I would really like to use in line electrical valves so I can use Mach3 to turn them on and off. 

What type of device should I be looking at or searching for to accomplish this? 

I just need a direction and a some insight/suggestions on what I need to look for.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

14

General Mach Discussion / Opto switches behaving badly

« on: January 18, 2010, 09:54:04 PM »

Dear Friends (can you tell I need help?)

I wanted to add homing switches to my mini mill.  After looking around I decided on purchasing these Opto Endstops switches; http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/OptoEndstop_2_1 from searching the forums this switch seemed like a reasonable choice, a standard 5v source and easy to assemble.

So I assembled the switch and mounted it as shown on the Z axis.  Of course I did a bench test and every thing seemed ok.  Here is a photo of the Z opto endstop;

http://www.dfurlano.com/optoz.jpg

I created a small cover and taped it over the switch (in white) used a cat5 cable and I then connected the switch to a 5v power connector from inside my PC.  I checked the voltage and I was getting 5v in and 4.2v out of the switch.  When I move the Z up the LED lights and the voltage goes to zero and I thought I was ready to go.

After some consideration I thought I would buy a second parallel port for my PC after searching the forum I found that people had successfully used the SIIG Cyberpro board so I purchased a new one from Newegg and installed it in my PC.  I set the address for the SIIG and it again seemed to function properly.  

I then mounted all four homing switches and bench tested them. All seemed to work.  Then my luck ran out.  When I began testing I found first that some LED's were remaining lit after homing.  I read that the procedure is to hit the switch and then back off so it does not stay triggered.  Well I was getting all confused about what was going on so I started over with just the Z being connected.  But it is clear something is wrong not only does the LED remain lit but most times the homing stops short of actually triggering the switch.  I checked the voltage and clearly when I am off the switch I read 4.2v and when I am on I read zero.  Not sure if 4.2v is not good enough and that is why it is randomly stopping (seems odd that it would work then not work) or do I have another problem?

I somehow need to trouble shoot what is going on.  I tried to find a printer port monitor but the only one I can find have preset addresses to monitor the ports and my second port is not one of the presets.  

I am lost on what I should try and do and I was hoping that someone could give me a suggestion or offer any advice on how to figure this out.

As always thanks in advance for your help.

Dan

15

General Mach Discussion / Web Cam not working

« on: September 27, 2009, 08:49:26 PM »

I can use the camera outside of Mach but when I try and use the video plugin it says it cannot start the camera.  Also there is only the Windows driver available in the dialog box and not the specific webcam driver.

Thing is it used to work but I had to rebuild my system and now it doesn't.  I tried reinstalling drivers and taking any thing off the system that I thought would have a conflict.  I searched the forums but did not find anyone else having a problem which just means I must be doing something stupid.

Windows XP SP3, Mach3 3.041, Micro Innovations IC425 webcam.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Dan

16

General Mach Discussion / NSK, Gecko, Mach3 questions (answered)

« on: September 13, 2009, 04:59:55 PM »

Don't know if anyone has tried this but I have an NSK E2550, Gecko540, and Mach3.  I asked Gecko about the connection from the 540 to the NSK controller and I believe I have that correct.  When I try and set up the ports and pins in the Mach3 configuration tab I set both the set and direction to pin 14 and the ports to 1. Under spindle setup I set "Use spindle motor output" to "PWM". I disabled the relay control.

So far i cannot get it to work was hoping someone could offer some suggestions.

TIA

Dan

17

General Mach Discussion / driver test

« on: December 20, 2008, 11:12:49 AM »

It is clear that I know just enough to be very dangerous. 

I was hoping someone can offer some guidance on two questions I have after running the driver test.

1) When I searched around prior to posting it looks like I have an older test from the screen shots I have seen.  I used the file in the Mach3 folder.  Not sure if there is some type of upgrade or different file I should use?  I have version 2.63.

2) From this image I see a very flat line which I believe is good.   But I am wondering if the longest and shortest times are appropriate?



As always thanks for any help.

Dan

18

General Mach Discussion / Setvar parmeters

« on: November 12, 2008, 07:52:13 PM »

I found them in the user manual but I cannot find a reference to Call SetVar(1000,*********) I am assuming this is the tool offset parameter.  Can someone point to where these values are listed in the Wiki or manual?

Thanks

19

General Mach Discussion / I'm lost

« on: October 30, 2008, 10:03:18 PM »

I have been continuing to struggle trying to get a new G540 to work properly.  Every time I think I got it I end up not even close.

For some unknown reason I am losing position on the Z.  I tried tuning the motor down to a velocity of 25 and acceleration of 5 and nothing changed.  On a 3d contour I am losing 0.2" of height in 10 minutes of running for some reason always gain height.

Also I have no idea why when I turn my shuttlepro dial real slow the DRO changes on the screen but the motor does not move (all axis).  Once that happens I can crank the shuttlepro and the DRO responds but not the motor.

I tried updating the Shuttlepro driver.  Tried a different version of Mach3 .  Turned backlash on/off, CV on/off, enhanced plusing on/off.

I checked electrical connections.  Mechanical connections.  Ran the drive test.  1.8gz Pentium V, Geckco G540, Keling 48V PS, 2 pacsci motors and 2 generic 276oz Nema 23 motors.

I am lost on what to do or even try.

Dan

20

General Mach Discussion / Dial Indicators

« on: October 29, 2008, 04:57:23 PM »

Testing the backlash on my mill I grabbed my BesTest .0005" dial indicator and set it on the mill table to check the movement.  Find out that when I increment the table the indicator says something different.  Drive myself crazy checking everything mechanical, electrical, and software over and over. 

For one test I grab a inexpensive Yuasa dial gauge to do some 1" measurements.  Everything looks fine. Took out a third indicator an Interapid and come to fine that my BesTest is not working correctly. 

If someone would have told me the indicator was wrong I would have scoffed at them "My B&S indicator is 25 years old and never has been wrong!" 

Dan