Messages

591

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple radius cutting - isn't !

« on: July 20, 2020, 10:11:53 AM »

I'm beginning to think that 'Tool compensation' is not the way to handle 'Pocket' or 'External' cutting 

Cutter radius compensation used to be the way all Gcode was used but things move on and affordable CAD / CAM software took over making it all so easy.

Tweakie.

592

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: sainsmart 3018 MX3 laser does not immediately honour M3/M5

« on: July 20, 2020, 05:43:19 AM »

I will try that. I did not realise that the M10/M11 needed to be followed by the P1 command (in this case). I had used G4 with P, then of course the P was the parameter to G4.

I had tried S********* for ON and S0 for off, and was looking at the motor tuning for speed ram

Lawrence

As I mentioned in an earlier posting your existing controller does not support using the M11/M10 commands.
 

This SainSmart blog mentions using the Z axis but if, like me the Z axis is used for laser focus then an imaginary axis (the A or B axis) can be used.
https://docs.sainsmart.com/article/xjgmz9pvni-how-to-laser-engrave-with-the-mx-3

However, be aware that gating the signals may be necessary to enable EStop to switch the laser OFF and ensure operator safety.
This post relates; https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=12444.msg265104#msg265104


Tweakie.

593

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: sainsmart 3018 MX3 laser does not immediately honour M3/M5

« on: July 20, 2020, 01:21:01 AM »

Hi Lawrence,

The M11 / M10 commands are followed with Px (where x is the Output# set with the Port and Pin number that is connected to the laser trigger). For example M11P1 will switch Output#1 ON and the Pin that is specified for Output#1 (Config / Port & Pins / Output Signals) will be switched accordingly but only at the instant of axis (any axis) movement. There is an additional safeguard that M3 must be active at the same time. Likewise M11P1 turns Output#1 OFF. This all happen without the delays associated with the other M commands.

It may sound a little complicated to start with but it is usually all taken care of by the Post Processor being used with the CAD/CAM.

Tweakie.

594

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 feature vs Mach3

« on: July 16, 2020, 04:43:53 AM »

There is no doubt that Mach4 is indeed an excellent product but it is only as good as it’s Motion Controller will allow it to be and choosing the right Motion Controller can be difficult with pitfalls for us all.
The manufacturers of some Controllers are extremely active at keeping up with new developments in Mach4 whereas other manufacturers are extremely slow and there is no definitive list of the good and the bad to help us choose.

I use a CO2 laser and there are a number of things which I can do using Mach3 that I still cannot do using Mach4 (despite waiting some 6 years). This is certainly not the fault of Mach4 (which is more than capable) the issue lies with the Motion Controller. One day, I am sure the problems will be solved but how long do I wait ?

There is a lot to be said for having the software development of the Motion Planner and the software development of the Motion Controller under the same roof. Perhaps something Artsoft / NFS may consider in the future.

Tweakie.

595

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 07:09:25 AM »

Seldom taking anything on face value  -   I've just clicked on the [ Run Script ] icon and I'm not surprised to see an error message  "Error on line:1 - Sub or function not defined: GetMainFolder"   but since I am yet to study VB it doesn't really tell me much.

I think you have something else wrong in your Mach3 installation (could be anything and short of a re-install I have no idea where to look).

Tweakie.

596

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 06:39:51 AM »

If it's any help,   Operator / Edit Button Script allows the G-Codes button code to be changed as shown in this pic.

Tweakie.

597

Feature Requests / Re: steps per unit calulator NEEDS FIXING.

« on: July 14, 2020, 01:42:52 AM »

I notice that in the picture you posted you have not completed the Wizard by making the 'Incremental Move' and entering the ‘Actual Move Distance’ then used ‘Recalculate’ to show the ‘Calculated Steps/Unit’. I wonder why ?

As proof of concept I changed my X axis Steps / Counts per Unit to 336
I ran the Steps per Unit Calculator Wizard making an incremental move of 100mm
I measured the actual distance moved at 105mm
Using Recalculate it tells me that the correct Steps / Counts per Unit should be 320.0
Perfect.

Trust me Slanteng, if you are truly struggling to understand the simple operation of this Wizard then Mach4 is not for you.

Tweakie.



Caveat;
Because Mach4 is an actively developing product it is possible that certain functions may work correctly in one development build but not in another development build therefore it is recommended and assumed that the user is always using the current, stable, version (currently 2.0.4300).

598

General Mach Discussion / Re: Screen Editor ?

« on: July 13, 2020, 09:59:57 AM »

As you have discovered, there is some learning to be done with CNC but it's a great ride. 

Tweakie.

599

General Mach Discussion / Re: Screen Editor ?

« on: July 13, 2020, 08:07:51 AM »

Its not hard to make a mess of a Screen.set, I think we have all done it at some time or another but just take it steady, one step at a time, and you will get there.

Then you will need to be learning the Cypress Enable subset of Visual Basic for the button codes (or perhaps initially copy from my website  )

Tweakie.

600

General Mach Discussion / Re: Screen Editor ?

« on: July 13, 2020, 07:42:06 AM »

You can download a Screen Editor / Designer from here;  https://www.machsupport.com/downloads-updates/screensets/

Tweakie.