Messages

6631

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is anyone else using E1P1 / E1P0 to switch output #1 ?

« on: July 05, 2010, 03:13:07 AM »

Hi Guys,

I think Terry's suggestion has solved my problem.

By revisiting the use of the Z axis direction pin method of control I have found that previously I had been using a Z movement of +/- 10 microsteps. Changing this to a distance of 2 microsteps total movement (+/- 1 microstep) has made dramatic improvements in the work quality. (not sure if it will work at +/- 1/2 microstep or 1 microstep total but I will give this a try).
It needs a bit more testing but so far the results are absolutely brilliant, there is no sign of overburn at the start or ending of long or short lines and the cut depth in acrylic is pretty constant at the start and ends. It is a shame I don't have a close up lens for my camera because the difference is just so great it really deserves a picture.

Thank you all for your assistance and time spent on this - I think I can now safely ditch the E1P1/P0 and M11/M10 etc. etc.

Tweakie.

6632

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is anyone else using E1P1 / E1P0 to switch output #1 ?

« on: July 04, 2010, 02:47:54 PM »

Were you using a 1 step size move with the Z axis to control DIR?

It was a while and I will have to look up some earlier code examples for this but from memory I think it was more than just one microstep.

Tweakie.

6633

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is anyone else using E1P1 / E1P0 to switch output #1 ?

« on: July 04, 2010, 02:12:45 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions Terry - I have probably got most earlier versions so this is something else for me to try.
I started out using the Z axis direction pin but that has the delay of the small amount of 'would be' z travel, so I then moved on to the M11/M10 combination. It was in an old thread that Brian mentioned the E1P0/P1 and that has been quite good if it worked all the time (but of course it doesn't  ).

Going back to the Z dir pin if I could move the 'Z minus' instructions to the start of the next G1 X or Y axis movement then the laser would be triggered at the time of movement but this would not help with switching it off at the end of the movement and modifying existing GCode would possibly start to become complicated. I am really trying to keep this simple by using the same GCode that would be used for engraving and just replacing the Z codes but perhaps this is not going to be possible.

As said before I do appreciate your time.

Tweakie.

6634

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: July 04, 2010, 10:17:05 AM »

Mehmet,

Could you perhaps have a friend who can help you with translating our English ?.

The main purpose of this forum is to create a better understanding and use of Mach3 and we would really like to help you to resolve your problem.

Tweakie.

6635

General Mach Discussion / Re: Changing Probe X-Y offset. How do I tell Mach?

« on: July 04, 2010, 08:21:28 AM »

If it's anything like the probing routine I am using then all the info is in the 'Auto Tool Zero' button which is accessed from Operator / Edit Button Script - then click on the Auto tool zero button (which will be flashing).

Save a copy of the script (just in case everything goes pear shaped) and then edit as required to get the correct X -Y position you require.

Tweakie.

6636

General Mach Discussion / Re: My 4th Axis

« on: July 04, 2010, 08:12:45 AM »

Nice piece of kit Derek.

Tweakie.

6637

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: July 04, 2010, 08:09:13 AM »

please accept my apologies Larry I didn't mean to be sarcastic - it was meant in humor.

Tweakie.

6638

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: July 04, 2010, 07:55:15 AM »

I think you are stuck with "Tool0" Larry - this appears to be part of the Mach programming rather than 'user customizable'.

I was thinking that maybe using a "resume from here" feature with a button would help that issue.

Isn't that what I just said........ "Adding a VB button to the screen which could then be used to command the 'Resume' (OEM code 1005) which would enable the thread to be repaired and the program continue from where it stopped.". 

Tweakie.

6639

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: July 04, 2010, 06:52:16 AM »

Mehmet,

My thoughts are these...........

As Larry has said, an optical switch to detect the thread break.
The switch could then be connected to an input which triggers a 'Pause' event (OEM code 1001). Adding a VB button to the screen which could then be used to command the 'Resume' (OEM code 1005) which would enable the thread to be repaired and the program continue from where it stopped.

However, one thing bothers me about this - and that is that while repairing the thread you would be working on a machine which is potentially dangerous (only paused by software control) so some form of mechanical machine lock may be necessary for safety's sake.

Tweakie.

6640

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is anyone else using E1P1 / E1P0 to switch output #1 ?

« on: July 04, 2010, 02:05:51 AM »

Perhaps the future is not looking good for Mach control of lasers.

Do you have any ideas of how Version 4 will perhaps handle the E1P0/1 ?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your time on this one.

Tweakie.