Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits

« on: October 09, 2006, 07:31:19 AM »

Brian

Tried version RC2.0g, still no joy.

I'm guessing you already knew this but I thought I'd make sure.

Cheers

Chris

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: Keygrabber Axis Gain question

« on: October 09, 2006, 07:18:12 AM »

Hi

I think I might of sorted it, I updated the video card drivers for the lastest ones this morning and it seams a lot better, but it's still not good enough for me to be confident using one of the buttons as a stop or feedhold button. You can sometimes flick the button on and off quick enough that the keygrabber doesn't respond.

I tried setting up one of my axes as a axisgain to see if I could help Brett out with his problem but I too had no joy getting it to work I could even get it to work on a second axis as Brett does as my will only let me move one axis at a time.

Thanks

Chris

43

General Mach Discussion / Re: Keygrabber Axis Gain question

« on: October 02, 2006, 07:19:02 PM »

Hi

I've tried Brett's settings, this has help a little but I've still got a noticeable delay.

Initial delay             Brett's 300  Mine 0
First Rate                Brett's 10    Mine 0
Number at first rate  Brett's 5      Mine 0
Second Rate           Brett's 100   Mine No Value

What an IPAC? I don't have one I think, do I need one?

Jeff thanks for the reply, I'm fairly sure this isn't a conflict or malware problem as it's on a freshly loaded system fully formated and then fully optimised as per Art's text file, I've also checked whats running while I'm using keygraber and I can't see anything.

Oh I should probably add I'm using a joystick that plugs into the back of the sound card in the game port not a USB one.

Thanks again

Chris

44

General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits

« on: October 02, 2006, 06:56:21 PM »

Hi

Just been trying the latest version, Version RC2.0f, unfortunately it still doesn't work correctly for me.

I'm having trouble with the tool offsets again but not as before. I can't quite work out what it's doing but it's not right.

Sorry for hassling you

Chris

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: Keygrabber Axis Gain question

« on: September 29, 2006, 05:09:25 AM »

How do you find the keygrabber, I found it very easy to set up and been able to set the feedrate very handy but I found the time delay most annoying, does anyone else find this to.

I've tried Arts joystick plugin, that works so well just ashame it only does two axes and no buttons, I guess I have to watch his SDK video again and learn how to add more controls.

I've also tried a program called JoyToKey this worked well for the buttons but I couldn't get the analog bit working properly so it was all or nothing on the stick but it was instent.

Cheers

Chris

46

General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits

« on: September 29, 2006, 04:34:12 AM »

As to regening, it shoudlnt be necessary

I found if I just altered a offset then pressed cycle start it wouldn't give me a warning message even when I knew it would exceed the limits, this would only happen if the previous offset used was ok. I can see that you wouldn't want to do a autoregen as they do start to take a long time when the file size get large.

Would it be possible to include radius comp into the calculations as well, if not don't worry I'm not that fussed just thinking of other people.

Anyway keep up the good work.

Thanks

Chris

47

General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits

« on: September 28, 2006, 09:38:37 AM »

Here's my latest test file if you want to use it.

I'll let you guess what my next request will be I think you'll get it when you look at the file.

Cheers

Chris

48

General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits

« on: September 28, 2006, 09:08:20 AM »

Brian

Just downloaded the latest version (RC2.0.d) noticed you managed to get Art to put your code in.

Been testing it out, works brilliantly with work offsets and I like how it now tells you which axis is going to exceed it limits.  Thanks 

But I still having trouble when I use tool offsets I think you might of got a minus missing or one to many, as when I've got a positive tool offset, enough to exceed the softlimit I get no warning, do the same but change the tool offset to a negative value and I get a warning but don't go near the limit.

Also would it be possible to automatically regen the toolpath every time the start button is pressed or every time a offset is changed or even better regen the tool path on pressing the start button only when a offset has been changed.

Thanks

Chris

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Start Macros

« on: September 26, 2006, 09:47:36 AM »

I think it could if I wired it in, it would probably need another relay to pull the motor relay in, it is something I intend looking at in the future and would solve my problem.

There is a spindle enable wire which enables the spindle to be started using the switch as pictured below, this wire also allows Mach to switch the spindle off. This is how the machine was originally wired up before I swapped over to Mach with the help of Hillbilly's break out board and instructions.

I can't really post pictures of how it's all wired as it's to complicated for me to follow I have the wiring schematics though

Thanks

Chris

50

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Start Macros

« on: September 26, 2006, 04:47:01 AM »

Hi

I think input 2 is a on/off signal telling Mach if the spindle relay is closed/open i.e. if the spindle is running or not

I had an idea the other night, I fought if I changed the While IsMoving to While NotMoving it would hold the machine till input 2 was seen but this didn't work, I got a error sub or function not defined - NotMoving.  I guess I need to learn VB and not just take wild stabs in the dark.

Thanks

Chris