Messages

91

General Mach Discussion / Re: Custom Icons, How?

« on: December 27, 2006, 11:53:41 AM »

Here's a nice icon creator program called LiquidIcon.  http://www.x2studios.com/index.php?page=products&id=11

It can also extract icons from various file types (.exe, .dll, etc.).  Best of all, it's free.

Here's a custom icon that I made from one of the splash screens awhile ago.

92

Feature Requests / Re: Safe Z on Feedhold

« on: December 22, 2006, 11:54:36 PM »

The problem with doing it on a "Stop" is that it's generally non-recoverable (meaning that I have to re-reference and start over).  As it is, if needed, I will hit "Feedhold" and then "Stop" to get the tool up and out of the material as quickly as possible.  Takes a little getting used to from what I normally would have done, isn't as quick to get the tool out, but at least you don't overheat the cutter or loose position.  Not that I do it everyday, but once in a while, stuff happens. 

93

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Yes/No or Ok/Cancel dialog

« on: December 22, 2006, 11:20:14 PM »

Thanks Scott,

I'll give that a try.  I actually have the Cypress Enable doc and I tried the Ok/Cancel part, but wasn't sure how to work with it.  That doc has so much other new-to-me stuff that it's taking me awhile to catch on and put it to use.  Thanks!

How about the G92.1, can that be put after the "LoadRun" somehow or does it have to be placed at the end of the loaded file itself?  Anyone?  By the way it seems to work, it looks like it has to be in the file otherwise it resets the coordinates right after they've been set.

Thanks,

94

VB and the development of wizards / Yes/No or Ok/Cancel dialog

« on: December 22, 2006, 03:09:18 PM »

Hi,

I'm trying to script a button to run a "Logo" file at an offset location and I have a couple of questions.  First, I would like to ask a yes/no or ok/cancel question as to whether the tool is zeroed on the surface first and I'm not finding if or how I can do that.

Second, I want to do a G92 after moving to a chosen location with a "GetCoord" dialog and after a "LoadRun" of the file and completion, I want to do a 92.1.  Can I do something like close the file when it's done and then do the G92.1in the script or will I have to place the G92.1 at the end of the logo file itself?


Here's what I have so far...

'TLC Logo

Code "(TLC Logo)"
Question=Question ("Do you have the bit zeroed on the surface?")  Here is where I would like to ask Yes/No or Ok/Cancel. I know that I need a If/Then here somewhere.
GetCoord ("Desired X & Y location for offsetting the center of the logo")
Xloc=GetXCoor
Yloc=GetYCoor
Code "G0 X" &Xloc & " Y" &Yloc
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "G92 X0 Y0"
While IsMoving
Wend

LoadRun ("C:\Mach3\GCode\TLC Logo.tap")

Can the file be closed when it's finished and then place a G92.1 here or do I need to put it in the logo file itself and just end here?
     

Thanks,

95

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edge Probing

« on: December 18, 2006, 12:09:11 AM »

That's ok Brian, I was just checking for Tom.  He's got his probe all set up with no place to go. 

Are you saying that you can make Mach sense the probe contact with a G2/G3? and not just with a G31?

Is there a video or some documentation for the "Teach Wizard"?  It looks simple, but I haven't got a clue of what I'm doing with it.  Maybe if I were at the tool instead of my desk I'd figure it out. 

Thanks,

96

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edge Probing

« on: December 16, 2006, 06:53:45 PM »

Hey Brian,

Couldn't those points be translated into g-code just as SB 's Virtual Tool "Copy Machine" can make a .sbp file?  It can also output .dxf point, or .dxf polyline. 

What I don't know is how Mach would pick up those points because you would need to work your way around the object to be probed with a circular motion (the smaller the circular moves, the higher the resolution).  Example below showing what I mean.

Regards,

97

General Mach Discussion / Re: where are my programs?

« on: December 16, 2006, 01:45:31 PM »

I've found that if you don't have a return (enter) after your last line that they don't show up sometimes, or at least the last line won't show.

Regards,

98

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edge Probing

« on: December 16, 2006, 10:28:19 AM »

Hey Tom,

I took a look at the file from the edge finding routine that's in the SB software.  My strengths are much like yours, and I'm not the best mathematician by a long shot,  but I can usually kludge through if I have an example to go on.  What would probably take me a month to to (with a lot of head scratching), I know others here could do in a few minutes.   

I don't know how you would make Mach do the circular moves (working it's way around the object), while sensing the probes contact.  Can yo do a G31 with a G2/G3?

Regards,

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edge Probing

« on: December 15, 2006, 07:34:54 PM »

Looks like it's a good time to write a Wizard.    I took a look at the code behind the "Digitize" wizard, but that one appears to give a point cloud coordinates text file by probing the Z axis.  I'm not sure how you would make it probe a edge, because I think you would have to make it go around the perimeter of the object by means of a circular movement (diameter variable for resolution).  Maybe someone a bit smarter can tell us how to do a G31 probe with circular steps around an object.

The screen setup wouldn't be to hard. 

Regards,

100

Feature Requests / Safe Z on Feedhold

« on: December 15, 2006, 09:45:36 AM »

I'd like to have the choice to have the Z axis raise to the safe Z setting upon a feedhold with a return to depth upon resuming with cycle start.  The cutter can overheat pretty quick when left down in the material upon a feedhold shortening the life of the tool.

Regards,