Messages

7951

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero for XY&Z?

« on: June 24, 2010, 02:56:29 PM »

Hi,

I was interested to find out if the G31 would halt movement of other axis rather than just the Z and yes it does. This is what I tried.
The GetVar() relates to the axis position DRO at the point of touch but as you seem to be centering within a ring the actual position is not relevant as long as you zero the DROs when done you have effectively zeroed the machine to a (presume cross hair) defined point.
You still need to do a bit of work on your script but you are nearly there.

Tweakie

7952

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: June 24, 2010, 05:26:47 AM »

OK Dave - I am sharing.

Still working on ways to improve the finished cut quality of acrylic parts. Having solved the problem with striations on the cut edge my next problem was with reflections from the table or work supports overheating or damaging the finish on the reverse of the work. These reflections were traveling about 50 - 80 mm beyond the work and although they were well out of focus still contained enough energy to cause damage. All metals reflect at 10600nm but glass doesn't so a simple solution was achieved by making a wooden containing box with glass base then filling the box with aluminum, concertina bent, venetian blind slats (on end) as the work support. This really does work so well and the money I have saved over buying ready made honeycomb cutting bed material can all be spent on Beer  (Dave, Sam & Russ would approve of this, I thought).





Tweakie.

7953

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero for XY&Z?

« on: June 24, 2010, 03:25:17 AM »

Hi,

Very interesting question - I just tried this and it seems to work OK.
I presume GetVar(2000) would return the X and GetVar(2001) the Y positions.

Tweakie.

7954

General Mach Discussion / Re: QUESTION ABOUT FEED HOLD and spindle stop

« on: June 24, 2010, 02:12:28 AM »

Hi Rene,

I have to admit this is above my head - as much as I would really like to understand Mach / Sewing / Embroidery machine control, as yet, I have no practical experience of this usage. (I do read all related posts here and on the zone in an attempt to get an understanding but I think there is no substitute for practical experience - I have just got to build one of these machines and try to get Khalid to share his software).

I do favor the usage of VB screen buttons to make the Mach screens more suited to an actual machine and because these buttons are so easy to re-program 'trial and error' can be used for the operation sequences entered into the buttons to find / establish the perfect combination.

Tweakie.

7955

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Y, U, V Change X DRO

« on: June 24, 2010, 01:55:44 AM »

Hi Csaba,

Perhaps someone else can figure this one out but I really can't understand exactly what you are doing or just why you would use multi-axis software / GCode just to control one machine axis.

I know it's not resolving your problem but I would like to understand (assuming it's not totally beyond me) exactly what you are doing with this machine.

Tweakie.

7956

General Mach Discussion / Re: QUESTION ABOUT FEED HOLD and spindle stop

« on: June 23, 2010, 06:44:01 AM »

Hi Rene,

I think you have answered your own question here. The usual sequence is :-

Feed Hold - to stop program
Stop - to stop spindle
Start Cycle - to resume (but you have to restart the spindle manually)

If you feel inclined you could create two extra VB screen buttons to perform these tasks, perhaps in a better way (Pause / Resume).

Tweakie.

7957

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Y, U, V Change X DRO

« on: June 23, 2010, 05:21:34 AM »

Hi Csaba,

Not quite sure what you are saying here.

Y300 will move the Y axis and DRO
U300 will move the A axis and DRO

Could you perhaps explain in more detail please ?

Tweakie.

7958

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 & Calculator

« on: June 23, 2010, 05:12:58 AM »

Dave has an excellent memory - Auto Calculator is under the 'Operator' menu tab.

Tweakie.

7959

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: June 23, 2010, 05:06:09 AM »

Thank you guys, you are most kind.

This project still has a way to run so, with your permission, I will continue to bore you with pictures of my progress - The adventures of Tweakie.

The next part of the project is to add some form of temperature control / monitoring and provide for an automatic shut down in the event of tube over temperature. I am currently only running the laser for relatively short periods of time and at low power settings whilst monitoring the temp rise with a handheld surface contact probe. I perhaps should admit that the forced air radiator I am using is a bit overkill and so far I have not yet recorded a temp rise above ambient. However an automatic system will enable longer operational periods of the tube without causing any anxiety and it just has to be done.

Tweakie.

7960

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enternal E-STOP Leds

« on: June 22, 2010, 12:52:14 PM »

Hi Johnv,

As Ian said Mach deactivates all outputs in reset. So when Mach is running your output #2 is used to keep the LEDs off - when Mach is in reset the output #2 is deactivated and the LEDs come on. Simple.

Tweakie.