Messages

401

General Mach Discussion / Re: 2 Axis Dispaly w Encoders

« on: October 13, 2017, 05:31:20 AM »

Bob,

I tend to agree with Graig and you may want to see what is available in linear scales.
I have scales from Shooting Star Technologies on my mill for over 10 years and they still work great.
Not glass scales but they serve the purpose.

Also consider some kits as you just solder components to a board and then choose what you'll use as an input.
Friend uses it a lathe and it is cheaper to do than Star or others that provide hobbiest scales.

I still use both my mills manually so the linear scales are like mandatory.
You can save money by using Mach to be a measuring device for locations and if some screen work was done
you can do as you want for info and save money. BTW, it's a PITA to use a stepper'd driven cnc manually as there is no
feel to the mill.  I know it defeats your purpose of not having to turn the PC on, but, turning on the pc or turning on the scales
are not much different from a lazy point of view.

Just something to think about.

RICH

402

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: No tool table in nfl wizard

« on: October 12, 2017, 09:19:13 PM »

 

Still the same im a bit disappointed with the result in this forum after over 600 views

It could happen, in fact there are 1000's of users in here and would have thought that someone
would reply.......................

anyway......................

Haven't used the NFS Wizards in a "long" time.
I believe you need to populate the tool table in Mach3 as the wizard probably gets the info from there.

Works here in version 062 of Mach3.

RICH

403

General Mach Discussion / Re: Getting 2nd port to show its pins on diagnostics page...

« on: October 12, 2017, 07:00:09 AM »

The function for all the LEDs  associated with the port pins shown on the diagnostics screen are "reserved".  I don't recall a specific list of pin port LED's and only guess that the leds and scripting are internal to Mach3. Like Graig replied, I don't recall any thread / posting to add the second port pins to the diagnostics page of the screen set.

Follow what Gerry suggested.

RICH

404

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 10, 2017, 08:59:39 AM »

I thought maybe RICH had something to add/contribute

My apologies  for attempting to help you and will not waste your time with any more replies from me.

My answer to your questions are as follows:

I would like to set DROs to zero (or any other value) from G-code without touching the G54/G92 offsets

Simplisticaly can't do it.

how can I do the equivalent of pressing the ZERO button with G-code?

Simplisticaly  can't do it.


NOTE: Your configuration and  active coordinate system has an influence on  what the Zero button will do and what is shown in the DRO.

RICH  

405

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 09, 2017, 07:01:55 PM »

Mach 4 is Fanuc based, Mach 3 is different.
So only read the Mach3 manual for definition of the G10.  G10 L2  is used to set a work offset / fixture offset.
The fixture offset is from  machine coordinate datum to the fixture datum. G52 is a temporary offset relative to the fixture offset.

if I press ZERO this will set X of work offset 1 to 100 and the X DRO reads now 0, correct

?"

Yes, because that creates a fixture offset. so when you do that change between MC and PC coordinates and see what the DRO's
displays. Better yet, go to diagnostics and look at the values for the different coordinates.

Mach3 manual does not mention G10 L20

Because it doesn't exist in Mach3, the L20 part!

Try this for testing your understanding of things ........
Make machine coordinate and part coordinate the same and also be the  home position........

RICH

406

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 09, 2017, 08:52:33 AM »

The G10 command in Mach3 is / can be used to set a fixture coordinate system.
You will find info on the command in the Mach manuals. You need to understand that
there are different "dialects" of Gcode commands and Mach has it's owne dialect for the commands. Read the Mach manual! Linux, Fanuc, Hauss, etc have additional commands
and variations / dialects of the commands, so, again quit getting confused and read / use Mach3  gcode as defined.

What DRO's are you talking about?
Machine coordinates? Part coordinates? Program Coordinates?
See commands G53, G54, G52, G92
You need to understand the different coordinate systems and how they relate to each other. Read the Mach3 Manual.

Roger introduces "his" concept of "space", which is fine.BUT
To get grounded in terminology of CNC Peter Smid's books are an excellent
industry accepted standard.

fwiw,
RICH

407

General Mach Discussion / Re: Calibration CONSTANTLY Changing

« on: September 30, 2017, 05:21:50 AM »

I assume your using the axis calibration  feature to  set the steps per unit. When using it and have the units steps correct you should Save Settings, exit Mach3 and restart Mach3. There should be no need to recalibrate the axes. Dry run /  jog to confirm Mach is configured properly.

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

You should save the drawing  as a version 12 DXF and would recommend that that only levels to be used by LazyCam  (LC) are on when you save the dxf. For information on using LC read the manual and note that lead in's can be a  bit tricky. I assume you are have a license for LC and your using the Plasma Module. The following are basic steps for using the Plasma Module:
1.   Create a dxf and open in  LC .
2.   Select the Plasma Module
3.   Click Setup and on the bottom right you will see Plasma Options.
4.   Click the Plasma Options button so you can define your plasma settings. Click OK button
                  when done.
5.   Select what you want to cut.
6.   Click the Post Code button

Review the posted code and you will see that M3 & M5 are used to turn the plasma on and off.
The M3 macro needs to be correct for how you are using your machine. 

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

Laptops can be used. BUT.........You make no mention of using an external motion controller.

RICH

408

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servos progressing well, but question about index

« on: September 23, 2017, 02:59:08 PM »

We have all been newbies and have an understanding about what a broad spectrum CNC covers.
Fortunately the members in here need to be applauded for assisting users.

A friend hates to ask me questions, he always starts by saying  I know, I know....RTFM. 

I believe he can read but can't write.  Me come from Mars....him Jupiter! 

RICH

409

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servos progressing well, but question about index

« on: September 23, 2017, 02:42:13 PM »

Hey Graig,
I don't read anymore ..... just write or type what the boss tells me. 
I leave the hard part to my better half.   


RICH

410

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servos progressing well, but question about index

« on: September 23, 2017, 08:24:44 AM »

Roger,

Now, translate that to the hobbyist who has a small 500 W DC motor on the spindle and some sort of simple power supply to drive it. Can he make a nice clean M45x0.5 mm thread on that? (Close to a camera filter thread I think.)

YES, and can probably do a 0-80 thread which is even finer, ( on my wimpy punny Sherline for example)
BUT  
1. How accurate is the lathe system?
2. Is setup appropriate for what will be done?
3. Is practical knowledge and epxerience being applied to the task?

So the controller can do it's function but the user in many cases ( plug and play comes to mind)
just lacks 1,2,3 above and you get "repeated complaints that threading is not working". BTW,
people don't read any more ( we live in a visual world), it takes too long, require instant gratification, want for free, etc ,etc.  Most folks are just happy that the nut goes on. Other folks or folks in industry  that specify threads and do analysis in design of things have a different understanding of threading appication.

A walk down memory lane is appropriate:
Threading was "broke / didn't work some 10 years ago" and it got fixed. A lot of effort went into
fixing the single point threading it has not changed since then. So it is what it is and not going to get updated to provide for electronic gearing, encoder use  as the internal code must be changed and
developement procedures will be required. The lathe has taken a back seat and will probably continue
as such.

As the PP continues to go away you have the changes in hardware and external motion controllers addressing the issue. If it's so easy to implement how come it's taken 10 years? Just note that
we need to keep it all in perspective ie; high end controllers etc. compared to low end stuff.
Mach4 is surely going to provide for a higher control end and the burdon falls on the external motion
developers to implement the appropriate functionality. Only time will tell what happens in development
and suggest one dosen't hold their breath.

The above said, if  there are users that can help make a step change that would be great.
The pay is great just don't spend it all in one place!

Enough rambling ........ keep up the effort guys,

RICH