Messages

281

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Entering Pulley Ratio in Mach4

« on: February 17, 2018, 07:55:48 PM »

There is no place to enter a ratio. Only the max RPM of motor and max RPM of spindle for different ranges in the spindle configuration dialog. Mach4 is smart enough to determine ration based on those 2 inputs.

So, if your motor has a max RPM of 4500 and Range 0 has a max RPM of 4500, then its 1:1.
If the motor has a max RPM of 4500 And Range 1 has a max RPM of 9000, then Range 1 is 2:1, etc.

It might pay you to temporarily forget some of what you know about 3 and study up on how 4 works. I only say this because they are different. 4 is better IMO but lots of things are different but usually in a better kind of way. If your moving to 4 and assuming you know how to do things because you know how to do them in 3 you will likely pull some hairs out. Maybe all of them.

282

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A solution for more switches than inputs

« on: February 13, 2018, 12:22:06 PM »

I can't make a recommendation on the PLC. Just find one that supports the I/O count and type you need, you like the tools they give you (or you have to buy) to program it and that fits your budget. The clicks from Automation Direct are used often with Mach and I have used them myself with good results.

AUD also offers a usb to serial adapter and the cable to use with it that goes to the PLC. The cable I used looked a lot like an ethernet cable but it wasn't. It was a serial cable that uses (I think) RJ11 connectors. But you can communicate with some PLCs over TCP Modbus and/or RS-485 serial and/or RS-232 serial. So...... you will need to decide what protocol is best for you and choose a PLC that matches.

283

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A solution for more switches than inputs

« on: February 13, 2018, 08:01:02 AM »

You should have a single function that checks the state of both inputs and performs one of the required three actions accordingly. Then call that function from both of the inputs signal script. And be aware that the function will be called twice if both inputs change state (another reason for checks mentioned later).

That should work but if your dealing with noise you will have to fix the noise issue first. No way to code around random.

But lua is fast so in your function check that the requested action hasn't already been performed before performing it. If the timing of the 2 inputs aren't perfect for what ever reason (response time of optos on BOB differs, this wire is longer than that wire, this capacitor takes a little longer to saturate, etc.) you may have issues without the checks.

Another way to do it would be to use a single analog input. Can add resistors with some careful planning then perform actions based on the value of the analog input.

Either of those methods aren't the most robust solution and will lend themselves to a whole host of issues over time and has the potential to be a real support nightmare. Particularly in a production environment. I think if I were doing this I would add a PLC for additional I/O and everything that could be 24 VDC would be. I might would try either solution on my own machines just for fun (hobby) but would likely do the PLC when I was finished playing with it. If it were a machine someone else would be running (even in my own shop) additional 24 VDC I/O is the only option I would consider, no doubt about it.

284

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Glad |I asked first

« on: February 11, 2018, 12:18:39 PM »

The quote button places two editing characters on your text input screen. Between these two characters you may paste a quote
previously saved to your clipboard.

The quote button places two editing characters on your text input screen. Between these two characters you may paste a quote
previously saved to your clipboard.

Cheers Craig,

It didn't do that the other day though!!

Now it just quoted your whole message as I would expect - ah well at least something is working!

There are a couple of ways to insert quotes into post. They both work now and were the other day as well. Just below the search box there is a help button. It may help. Just because you don't know how something works doesn't mean it's broke.  

Very true Rich.

No one will ever convince me that BC will work just as good a mechanically correct machine.

No and no one should waste their time trying to convince you or anyone else. It's simple physics and it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to understand it. They just need a little common sense and understanding of what backlash is.

Lots of controls backlash compensation works as good as is physically possible. But most often it will not be an acceptable solution. In the very few cases it will give acceptable results it could also be fixed with programming strategy.

So, in a nut shell, if you can write your programs to overcome the backlash of the machine and produce acceptable parts backlash comp. may be a feature you want to consider. Otherwise the only fix is to fix the backlash. It really is that simple. Anything else is a waste of your time and everyone's time that tries to help you.

285

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Message Box with Cancel?

« on: February 10, 2018, 02:53:36 PM »

You might try this.... instead of doing the repeat loop in the macro, have a separate function to check the number entered and another function to pop up the message box if needed.

286

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Message Box with Cancel?

« on: February 10, 2018, 11:00:44 AM »

HAHAHAHA Once youve finished with the Lua Manual you can then move on to wxLua Manual  

DazTheGas

Very true Daz. If the reference manual makes you happy the wxLua manual might put you over the edge.  

In the reference manual, look at http://www.lua.org/manual/5.2/manual.html#9

287

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Message Box with Cancel?

« on: February 09, 2018, 05:28:06 PM »

Thanks Daz.  That's exactly what I was looking for.  I had no idea that command even existed!!

You will love this then.......

http://www.lua.org/manual/5.2/

288

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Glad |I asked first

« on: February 09, 2018, 05:23:56 PM »

So basically what you guys are saying is that Mach 3/4's as well as the few controller that have implemented backlash compensation is all smoke and mirrors to get the customers to buy into their hype? Glad I learned something new.

If that is what you pulled out of it you need to pay more attention. Quit listening for what you want to hear and listen to what your being told.

289

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Glad |I asked first

« on: February 09, 2018, 08:53:02 AM »

Exactly Craig. Programming strategy (when it can be used) is a far better approach to easing the pains of backlash than backlash compensation.

Lol, we had a bed mill once that the table had so much backlash in it you could see it wobble when changing directions (wish I had a video). We would tweak the program as necessary to comp for it and ran it several months till the new machine could get there. It made a lot of good parts in that time but what a pain it was to pull it off.

290

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Message Box with Cancel?

« on: February 08, 2018, 05:44:14 PM »