Messages

161

CS-Lab / Re: TURRET SAUTER connect to CS LAB

« on: December 26, 2014, 01:47:54 PM »

Now I've found the timing diagram (I've attached it below), it's not that much different from my Barafuldi turret.

I don't personally use any CS-Labs stuff (I use KFlops), and I'm not sure if it'll work due to the tight timing constraints required for the locking sequence.

For those that use CS-Labs stuff, is it possible to control outputs with millisecond accuracy via VB?
The reason is, the pre-locking solenoid has to be activated in under 30milliseconds of the required postion strobe being activated and the position inputs being checked.
I'm thinking the VB/CS might be limited by the standard Mach3 10Hz plugin refresh?

I know I ended up using a PLC to control my turret, but that was due to lack of inputs/outputs, rather than timing constraints.

162

CS-Lab / Re: TURRET SAUTER connect to CS LAB

« on: December 24, 2014, 06:14:33 PM »

Do you have a timing diagram that shows the solenoid/motor activation/deactivation in relation to the position/proximity signal statuses?

163

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rotaryaxis reference

« on: December 06, 2014, 03:51:55 PM »

Macros are pretty slow to respond to inputs (should be a 10Hz refresh rate), so are not really suited for homing routines or anything that requires critical timing.

The homing routines work far quicker, however I have no idea how you implement them for an A-xis.

164

General Mach Discussion / Re: Compact 5 Mach3 conversion

« on: December 02, 2014, 05:38:01 PM »

You don't need a transformer, certainly not for the main supply.

The issue is with this style of controller, the control input is at a reasonably high voltage. My hazy memory thinks about 50V, but could be higher, you certainly don't want to be touching the control wiring while power is applied!
When used with a potentiometer, it's not an issue, however when you try connecting it to your non-isolated 0-10V control electronics, you are pretty much guaranteed to fry something, as you short out that high voltage through the control.
The solution is to use an isolated 0-10V supply. Typically the 0-10V output on BOBs I've seen is opto-isolated, and can use an isolated 10+V to provide the full isolation required to control this type of drive. The usual way to get the isolated supply is to use an isolated DC-DC converter, which can be bought for not much money. Something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1PB0512LS-WR-Powerpax-1W-Unregulated-DC-DC-Converter-SIP-Scp-5V-In-12V-Out-/131156823235 will take a 5V source, and provide you with an isolated 12V power source.

165

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mcodes ??

« on: December 02, 2014, 03:40:05 PM »

was unaware of the code character stripping of just pasting code, my lesson for the day

Anything out with code brackets in a post, will go through the standard forum parser, and be parsed accordingly, which is why the [ i ] get changed to mean italic.
The other major benefit, is the code brackets should cause a fixed width font to be used(typically courier or similar), so the code layout/indentation appears better.

166

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mcodes ??

« on: December 02, 2014, 01:23:11 PM »

Do any of you know if there is a way to disable the formatting on a post?

Use code brackets-

Code: [Select]

rc = mc.mcCntlGetLocalVar(inst, hVars, ParameterNumberArray[i])

that's [ code ] & [ /code ] without the spaces

167

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a Quick Reference Guide to Mach3 gcode ??

« on: December 02, 2014, 12:08:17 PM »

I have the attached guide, by someone called Daniel, which covers Mach3 and EMC (aka LinuxCNC).
I can't remember where I downloaded it from, so I'm not sure who Daniel is!

168

General Mach Discussion / Re: Compact 5 Mach3 conversion

« on: November 30, 2014, 04:22:17 PM »

Dave, Peter has a DC motor, so your suggestion won't work.

Personally I'd recommend a KBIC, however they're at least 4x the price of the ebay link.
That controller alone would provide you with speed control, however for full cnc control, you'd need to add a relay so power gets turned on/off, along with a step/dir to 0-10V converter which will most likely have to use an isolated supply. And that's only if you want single direction control. If you need to reverse the spindle, you'll need to add another relay into the circuit.

The simple option is the linked controller combined with a relay to turn the spindle on/off, and using a potentiometer to manually set the speed.

169

General Mach Discussion / Re: 2.5 vs 3 axis whats the difference

« on: November 04, 2014, 05:38:46 PM »

To me that's still 2.5D machining though.

Having just done a quick google for 2.5D machining, the first wikipedia link explains it pretty well - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5D_(machining) and also mentions the difference between 2.5D machining and a 2.5D machine, which is what most likely causes the misunderstandings.

170

General Mach Discussion / Re: 2.5 vs 3 axis whats the difference

« on: November 03, 2014, 06:31:08 PM »

My understanding of it is a 3-axis machine can only machine in 2.5D, as you can only ever machine the outline or to depth without repositioning the workpiece.

For true 3D machining, you require 5-axis or more, depending on what you're doing, so you can machine the workpiece from all directions.