Messages

171

General Mach Discussion / Re: online tutorials

« on: September 03, 2007, 02:50:59 PM »

To add on the topic, can you view them online? There is a way to save even files that don't allow a "download" option. Shall we call it a slight "Microsoft" and "WinXP" oversight and weak point? For instance, if you are running XP, 2000, server, nt etc. there is a temp file that acts as a buffer to enable the temporary storage of the file so it will execute smoothly. Depending on your internet settings and if you haven't deleted your tempory internet files out of the "tools" menu option in IExporer, the file will be on your hard disk. Mine is at (C:\Documents and Settings\William.WILLIAM-BD7827B\Local Settings\Temp) which is a bit confusing as I run multiple OS's as a developer. Yours should be similar except for the "William.WILLIAM-BD7827B" part which would be your username with which you log on to Windows. To find it easily, use Windows Explorer to locate the directory, click on the menu view options, select "detail" then click on the info bar that says "type". That'll group all the file types together by their extension, in this case most propably .swf. You can copy and save the file to another location so that Windows won't delete it when you exceed your ie temp directory size limit. There's so much to learn, and so little time!
Apologies for the purists I might have upset by devulging this type of info.

Whacko for Real

172

General Mach Discussion / Re: online tutorials

« on: September 03, 2007, 02:48:27 PM »

Did you try right to click mouse on the file link and choose option "Save target As" in the popup menu?

Whacko

173

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to calculate the kerf width for plasma cutting?

« on: August 31, 2007, 05:27:15 AM »

Yes I can help you, I use MAch3 for plasma. The g41 and 42 is your tool offsets and can be set in the Mach3 environment. I use Cadlink's profile lab for nesting and post processing, but I take care of the kerf in the parts I generate in Turbocad. This is really because of the limitation to do reversing in Mach3. Mach3 will not allow you to run reverse if you lost the cut whilst in g41,42 blocks. This is essential with plasma cutting, as you might have to change consumables whilst in a cut. When you pause the motion you will overshoot the cut because of the slowdown parameter.

But if you want to use the g41,42 just set the kerf in the tool offset facility.

Whacko

174

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple drive controller circuit

« on: August 30, 2007, 04:14:45 PM »

There is a working example in the .pdf document using the L298. It's a reasonably common IC and inexpensive and good for 2A 80V. I used it on a scale model for RND extensively and has good switching characteristics. If you need more help, let me know!

Yep, the giraffe is kinda shy! 

Whacko

175

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple drive controller circuit

« on: August 30, 2007, 01:23:26 PM »

http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ds/1334.pdf

Whacko for real

176

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to calculate the kerf width for plasma cutting?

« on: August 30, 2007, 01:15:46 PM »

The Gcode G40,G41,G42 are the Gcode commands for kerf on/off. Best you take care off it in your nesting software as there is no reverse run possible in G41,42 blocks. If you loose the cut, you cant go back to restart.

Whacko

177

General Mach Discussion / Re: XP

« on: August 27, 2007, 06:41:59 PM »

Home edition will do just as well as pro. I've tried both with no difference in performance.

Whacko

178

General Mach Discussion / Re: Serial Port control under cypress enable

« on: August 26, 2007, 03:53:58 PM »

I want to establish compatibility with what I want to do for you.

Copy and paste the following text in notepad. Save the file on your desktop with a .vbs file extension, example ComTest.vbs
Then close the file, exit notepad and doubleclick the .vbs file on your desktop. Wait for 10 seconds, and check if you get the second textbox.
If it works we can proceed.
----------------------------------------------------------------

'Testing compatibility
'
PORT = "COM1"
MsgBox "Ready to do 10 second test!"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set com = fso.OpenTextFile("COM1")
Wscript.Sleep 10000
com.Close()
MsgBox "10 Seconds passed, no error!"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know if it works on your pc.

Whacko

179

General Mach Discussion / Re: Quick conversion of code from linear to angular movement

« on: August 24, 2007, 01:21:53 PM »

You are right, but if need be it can be "hotwired"! That's my forte and downfall! Hacking can be fun!

Whacko

180

General Mach Discussion / Re: Serial Port control under cypress enable

« on: August 24, 2007, 01:16:21 PM »

I just want to clear something, is this file only sent at initialisation and not again, or should it be sent whenever the gaurd has been opened/closed/moved?.
The macro will be executed by Mach3 depending on how you implement it. MultiTasking is part of the Windows OS, maybe I don't understand what you mean. I think you want to know if once the macro is started, it will run independantly not under the control of Mach3. You can send the file via your serial port with the VBScript, but you will have to choose a second port if you are using the modbus with Mach3.
I unfortunately do not have experience with the Boxford, but I have lots of experience with serial ports etc.
You can even invoke another process from the VBScript that will run as a thread on its own.
I will try to help you if you give me some more info. The VBScript in Mach3 is actually the proper Windows OS Script engine, and the Cypress information is limited, you can use the MSDN help file for VBScript. There is a lot of possibilities.

Whacko