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Messages - mc

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121
General Mach Discussion / Re: TLO lengths and Z axis readout
« on: September 14, 2015, 06:16:31 AM »
You're using a Hi-con controller aren't you?

I'm surprised nobody has come up with any suggestions. I only use Mach3 mill on my probing machine, so have never used TLOs in mill, and Mach Turn uses quite different screens, although I've never had any issues with tool offsets there.

It could be something controller related, as I'm sure the controller plugin has some control over what gets displayed within the DROs. I think it's up to any external controller plugin to update the DROs, so I'd check for any settings within the plugin config that may affect things.

122
Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My Shizouka AN-S
« on: August 27, 2015, 12:40:24 PM »
I'd say your stepper system will be quicker if you're moving more than one tool position.

The only vid I'm aware of is this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opxZLSAvN8
The carousel does seem to reach a higher speed, but with the Geneva mechanism, it essentially stops every tool position, but with the stepper system you should be able to hit max speed until you need to stop for the next tool.

123
Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My Shizouka AN-S
« on: August 26, 2015, 04:58:19 PM »
Looking good. The stepper on the carousel certainly speeds things up.

How are you getting the holders on position with the stepper?
Just relying on the correct number of steps, or have you added another sensor?

124
In some countries/areas, 110V neutral is gnd.

110V often consists of one wire at 0V tied to Gnd, with two other wires at 55V, but 180deg out of phase, so you get 110V.

125
General Mach Discussion / Re: emergency stop
« on: August 16, 2015, 03:57:46 PM »
I doubt it isn't a wiring problem.

I'd be going over the wiring checked for potential ground loops, especially on the PC wiring side.
Do you have the external enclosure grounded separately grounded?
If you do, I'd guess you've probably got a ground loop between the PC, and enclosure via the parallel cable. Try cutting the shielding of the parallel port cable at one end, and see if things improve.

126
Sounds like a tuning issue, with the motors continually oscillating/hunting for position at idle, which can very quickly overheat them.

Neutral would depend on exactly what the 'neutral' wire from the motors actually is, and where you are (some countries, neutral is tied to earth, but you generally wouldn't tie it locally to earth in a machine).

127
Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My Shizouka AN-S
« on: August 15, 2015, 02:16:43 PM »
Thanks for the link alloy. I had a read through the build, and it looks good.

I removed the door and frame from mine today so I could get the valve block pulled out, and the double valves are indeed 5/2 type, so only need a pulse to activate, however the coils are rated for 100% duty cycle, so keeping them active isn't an issue. A photo of my partially stripped TC can be found at https://flic.kr/p/wrjSaX
I've been going through the wiring diagrams, and I'm quite amazed at how the tool change sequences were done with relatively basic components.

Do you have the tool in/out buttons connected via the computer, or just direct to the valves/pdb?
I've been thinking about what switches I'd like to keep, and what ones to remove, so I'd quite like to hear how you've done things.

128
General Mach Discussion / Re: Control input methods...
« on: August 15, 2015, 05:25:56 AM »
I'm sure you could afford the £4 for a cheap laser mouse of ebay, if you can't find an old one.

In all honesty, it's one of these things that a mouse works perfectly well, unless you really want to spend the money on a more 'slick' method. I'm currently trying to decide what I want on my mill operators panel, as I'm aiming to make it more industrial. I could throw a keyboard and mouse on top of the control cabinet as it would work, but I'm considering building a proper industrial keyboard/trackball built into the panel, however that adds a couple hundred pounds straight away unless I happen to luck out on ebay.

I'll drop you a PM. I had noticed you were hotlinking your photos from plasmaspider, but I look at enough forums without anymore to waste time on!

129
General Mach Discussion / Re: Control input methods...
« on: August 14, 2015, 05:19:34 PM »
I'm pretty sure you can configure a joypad instead of a mouse, although possibly not use one as a pendant and a mouse at the same time.

What kind of mouse are you using?
I've had a cheap laser one in the workshop for years, and it's yet to die, although I don't have the problem of plasma dust to deal with.
Could you not fit a little recessed shelf somewhere, then hang a bit cloth or something over the front to keep the worst of the dust out? You don't have to see the mouse to use it.

And I've always copied files of the memory stick when running them, as it avoids any potential issues with it being removed/knocked out at a critical point, or from the USB system causing any problems like going into low power mode.


BTW, your build is looking good. I've been keeping an eye on it, but I'm refusing to post anything over on mycncuk after Lee admitted snooping on PMs.

130
Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My Shizouka AN-S
« on: August 12, 2015, 06:12:24 PM »
Thanks for that. Going by your description, and the photo, mine seems to be a different design in terms of how things are controlled.
The TC alone on mine has 7 solenoids - Master Air, Arm In, Arm Out, Air Retard (cushions the arm during tool out), Claw Open, Claw Close, and PDB Engage. The spindle brake solenoid is mounted inside the main casting, along with a Master Air and Hi/Lo gear solenoids. I've not managed to get any details of the TC solenoid valves themselves as they're all shoe horned into where you've mounted the relays, but the solenoid coils are 220V, and everything points to them being a mix of normal 2/3 and 3/5 valves.

I suspect the controls on mine were actually UK sourced/produced, as it has a Made in UK by Sculpture M/C plate with serial number on it, however all the functionality and schematics are an almost perfect match to the Summit manual I have. The PDB control board also has a Ltd company name on it, with the main control board having no company details.
My plan is to mount a bank of DIN rail relays/holders where the original control boards were (underneath/to the rear of the main cylinder - that area on mine is full depth unlike yours), and run everything around to a Konnect (KFlop IO expansion) board in the main control cabinet.
I did consider a PLC (I used one on my lathe ATC as Konnect boards were't available then), but the KFlop with a Konnect board will quite happily handle everything, be a similar cost, and keeps all the programming in one place.

I'd post a photo showing the layout of my TC, however I've just realised I've not got one. I'll try and get one tomorrow, but I've not taken the door and frame of yet.

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