Messages

151

SmoothStepper USB / issue where ESS would jog but not accept MDI commands.

« on: August 14, 2013, 10:23:51 AM »

Working on another machine.  The clients mache would jog, but when you used MDI to issue a command it would not move.  Then the machine would not jog.  You have to click reset, then reset again to go green and it would jog.  But still no MDI or Gcode run would make the machine move.

I notcied that in the selected devices that a plug in for the USB SS was in the plug ins directory.  Deleted it and all was well with the mill.

Again, just another FYI incase you run into this type of issue.

152

SmoothStepper USB / ran into an issue today where the SS would lockup mach3

« on: August 07, 2013, 10:24:58 PM »

Spent some time helping out NASA today with a USB smooth stepper/mach 3 problem today.

Background.
New computer to replace old computer.  Both new and old computer were windows 7 enterprise 64 bit.
after getting mach3 downloaded and installed
Latest USB smooth stepper driver and plug in downloaded and installed  (Driver version SmoothStepperUSBDriver2.08.24)

If you launched mach3 and chose printer port as the device mach would effectivly run so you could click on stuff, if you chose the smooth stepper plug in and clicked ok mach would FREEZE right there.  Only way to do anything is to reboot.
I tried a different version of the plug in.... same.

Got the old mach 3 install off of the old computer, renamed and replaced the mach 3 folders  same situation, mach would freeze up.

uninstalled the device driver and installed an older one and it all worked

This is more of an FYI then anything else.

153

General Mach Discussion / Re: ArtCAM

« on: February 07, 2013, 06:18:44 AM »

Does Express have the model master post processors in it like pro and jewelsmith have?  Those work perfect with mach. 

154

General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with ATC with more then 5 tools

« on: June 11, 2012, 07:01:16 PM »

we think we found the problem.  The macros were written for an earlier version of mach.  There appeared to have been a bug in the "get tool" portion and was programmed around.  Now the newer versions of mach handle it differently.  (we think)

155

General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with ATC with more then 5 tools

« on: June 11, 2012, 03:43:07 PM »

Here is the m6start macro that I received.
Here is the behavior I am experiencing.  Maybe someone better then I might have an ideal

When mach starts, it defaults to current tool 0 If I use m6t1  I get the message "tool not available tools 1-10 only"  Which I can find in both the custom m104 and m6start macros.  I dont know VB but what I can make out is that there is no handling of the case "0" in the current tool box.  Is there a way to add that into the macros?

now If I tell it (by typing a number) into the current tool box on the screenset  I can then click on a tool change number button which in the button editor I see is directed to the m104 macro.  and it will do it.  But giving a g6t# I cat "Current tool already loaded" message which I can find in the macros as well.  Click ok on the dialog box and do the exact same (or any other m6t#) and it will do the change. 

What I do not understand, is why it will give me a dialog box upon one request of an m6 toolchange, but then it will do the required change if I do the exact command a second time.

156

General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with ATC with more then 5 tools

« on: June 07, 2012, 04:11:02 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=854oPEK6bWA&list=PLFF5C5587456531DD&index=17&feature=plpp_video


Here is what I am trying to do but with 10 tool.  At the end of each tool pick up you will hear a computer beep that is because I do not have the tool probe setup so it ignores it. 

Just for a reference of what I am working with..........  This is running with a 5 tool setup.  The 10 tool setup only had the screenset changed and the m104 changed  No other files were replaced.

157

General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with ATC with more then 5 tools

« on: June 07, 2012, 04:07:31 PM »

its not so much as a physical turret ATC as much as a spindle that is air driven to open and close the collet.  The tools are offsets.  Tell it to go get tool one with no tool, it moves to the programmed location, triggers a relay (output 2)  goes to a z machine cord.  closes collet (relay off)  then goes and probes the tool on the tool height sensor then move to a fixture offset.

tell it to get tool 2 it will go back to current tool location, open collet drop tool move to tool 2 location close collet and then go probe.  It has worked with this setup for 5 tools.  It was only untill the updated m104 macro did things get stupid.  I didnt program them, so I dont know.

upon more testing I found this.
If I go into my screen set and click the tool number button I want 1-10 it will get them and probe them.
If I use the mo6 command in the MDI line its gets really weird.
m06t2  gives me "tool already loaded"
m06t2 again it will get the tool and probe.
mo6t3 gives me "tool already loaded"
m06t3 again it will get the tool and probe.
m06t9 tool already loaded
mo6t9 again it will go put back the current tool  then I get a macro error box that says "Tool not available 1-5 only"

In the m104 macro I see where it says "tool no available 1-10 only" 2 times I think, but no 1-5 only.... so I do not know where it could be getting that message to display from. 

The m6start only has
  tool = GetSelectedTool()
  SetCurrentTool( tool )

158

General Mach Discussion / problems with ATC with more then 5 tools

« on: June 07, 2012, 02:44:38 PM »

I am trying to work on a tool changer with more then 5 tools.  10 tools to be exact.
I have the screen set made for it.
The m104 macro was edited by a colleague as I do not understand the coding.
Latest release of mach installed
the tool changer is nothing more then an air powered spindle and programmed locations within the working envelope.

When the gcode request the tool say number 6, I get the error box that only 1-5 tools are allowed.  Opened the m104 macro and cannot find this call.  I did find where it says only 1-10 tools are allowed.
I also get the "This tool is already selected" from time to time.

Can someone take a look at this macro and see what is screwy with it?

also is there another place I should look?

159

General Mach Discussion / Re: funky Z arcs in gcode

« on: May 10, 2012, 09:25:20 AM »

Stirling,
Thanks for the reply, I knew it was something to do with the arc fitted tool pathing strategy.  We have a call out to mecsoft, I just wanted to see if someone would say "Hey its because of......"

Thanks

160

General Mach Discussion / funky Z arcs in gcode

« on: May 10, 2012, 08:24:54 AM »

am helping a friend try and decode these weird Z arc movements.

There is no A axis rotation, its a flat 3d part.
for some odd reason there are Z arcs that are not making sense.  Maybe someone with a little more knowledge can help shed some light.
Cam software is Mecsofts visual mill if I remember right.

After the first to small pockets the Z moves up, to the from in y in a weird arc, plunges and breaks the tool.
I can see the movements in mach3.  Dont know if its a post processor/G&M code or what.

Any ideas?