Messages

131

VB and the development of wizards / Need help with new macro or wizard

« on: November 15, 2006, 01:27:15 PM »

I'm new to Mach and VB and having come from a situation that used plain basic, I have need for a macro or a wizard to replace one that I used with my old controller.

Basically what I need to do is this.  I make a lot of plaques in varying sizes that need to have hangslots cut with a keyhole bit for hanging the plaque on a wall.  Some of these plaques need to have a vertical and horizontal slot, some need only one slot, and some may need two vertical slots.  Most are centered one inch in from the edge and two inches long and some are one inch in from each edge and one inch or less long.  I would input the various information and how many need to be cut.  The tool needs to park clear of the fixture and wait until I get the next plaque locked in, then with the push of a momentary button on the gantry, it would do the next one and so on until the count is met.  At that time the tool will again go to the clear position and turn off the router.

A macro that can ask for all the info and then execute would be fine, but I'm not experienced enough to know the proper syntax for everything that would be needed.

A wizard may be nice, but that's beyond my limits at the moment    Any help would be appreciated!     

132

General Mach Discussion / Re: Round Corners Motor tuning?

« on: November 13, 2006, 01:30:31 PM »

Thanks Brian!

Message sent.

133

General Mach Discussion / Re: Referencing and Home Offset

« on: November 13, 2006, 01:24:06 PM »

Thanks guys,

Couldn't I also edit the script for the ref button with a G28 If I have things set right for "Home Offset" and in the G28 home location coordinates?

134

General Mach Discussion / Re: Round Corners Motor tuening?

« on: November 13, 2006, 12:45:55 PM »

This issue of corner rounding and finding that sweet spot is something that I need to get a grasp on too.  I understand the difference between CV mode and Exact Stop mode and that the acceleration setting for an axis will also come into play.  I'm not real clear on the CV Feedrate and what settings to use there.  The CV angle to me means that a change in the angle/direction of the toolpath less than the setting would cause a exact stop situation.? 

What concerns me is having to (after finding the sweet spot for various tasks) remember to set these properly for each job before I run/ruin said job!

As I see it, if I draw up a part and toolpath it, it should be cut that way, not rounded.  Otherwise precision is relative.  Exact Stop mode is not an option for most toolpaths (with the exception of longer sided polygons) as it makes for a jerky/jittery machine.

I don't want to come off sounding critical here, it's just an area I'm struggling with.

135

General Mach Discussion / Referencing and Home Offset

« on: November 13, 2006, 12:05:48 PM »

Is it possible to have Mach automatically move the X, Y, and Z to the actual X and Y location of my table after it's done referencing without adding some extra code to the "Ref All Home" button?  I have the offsets set in the "Homing and Limits" screen, but that just changes the DRO's.

Thanks,
Scott (Another new guy on the Mach ;-)

136

General Mach Discussion / Re: Water tight keyboard

« on: October 20, 2006, 11:26:14 PM »

I've been using one for several months now.  Works great, no more dust problems, takes a bit to get used to the feel of the buttons.  The buttons can teter-toter as you push them down if you're not pushing directly down on the middle of them. 

The Virtually Indestructable Keyboard http://www.grandtec.com/vik.htm