Messages

101

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / XBox360 Controller Plugin Update Available

« on: May 03, 2009, 01:06:02 PM »

Since the original topic was getting quite long, I added this one as a new topic.  A new version 2.2 of the plugin is available.  It includes the following:
1. Ability to disable diagonal movement of the axes when using the thumbstick.  I have found this to be needed for those times when I only want to move 1 axis and I accidentally move the thumbstick slightly diagonally.
2. Change to the RefAll Home option (button choice) to allow it to work with the Smooth Stepper.
3. Added support for HID 0x0291. This was added at the request of a user who wanted to use the rf module from a broken XBox360 as the wireless transmitter/Receiver.  Here is his solution (in Spanish):

http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_tutorial-receptor-casero-wireles360-para-pc-ya-funciona_1022864

If you use the standard "360 wireless controller for Windows ", it comes with a wireless transmitter/receiver and Windows will use the HID of the Transmitter/Receiver rather than the HID of the Controller.  If you use some other wireless transmitter/receiver it may not have an HID.  Then Windows will see the Wireless Controller directly as though it were attached directly to the pc.  In this case, Windows will use the HID of the Wireless Controller rather than the Receiver/Transmitter.  So, if you make your own wireless transmitter/receiver as this person did, then this version should help you.

Thank you and enjoy,

Lee

102

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: April 19, 2009, 11:33:45 PM »

Hi Jeff,
I am still away from my computer and will be for another week. So I cannot test the Ref All Home until I get back.  As soon as I test it and find out what is going on, I'll let you know.

Regarding, the trigger for jog override, it works fine for other folks.  The way it works is that you press the thumbstick to move in a direction and, while it is moving, you press the trigger next to the thumbstick you are pressing.  It does not work to press one thumbstick and the opposite trigger.  You should see the feed rate increase.

In an effort to mach sure everything is working and that you have the feed rate override set properly, try pressing and holding the Shift key and then pressing the arrow key and see if the feed rate increases.  If so Mach is working properly and your equipment is working properly.  The slow jog rate can be set from 0 to 100.  It does not have to be set to 50% to work.  If the keyboard works and your joystick trigger does not then try looking at the joystick calibration works in the control panel.  It is always possible that your triggers are bad.

With all of that being said, it is possible the problem is really with the interface to the smooth stepper.  Ver 2.1 added support for it and I relied upon those having a smooth stepper to test it and get back to me.  I don't have a smooth stepper so I cannot test it.  So, please do the above steps and let me know what you find.  If it is still a problem then I will contact the folks that were testing it for me and have them check for the same problem I also have a program that Greg at Warp9 sent me to test the interface.  But, it will have to wait until I get back to my computer.

Let me know what you find.

Thanks
Lee

103

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: April 18, 2009, 11:56:31 PM »

Thanks Atlas56.

 I am still away from my computer.  But, I thought that was the case.

Lee

104

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: April 16, 2009, 12:04:55 PM »

Hi Jejeadx,

I am away from my regular computer so I cannot test the controller now. 

1. Is it a wireless controller?  A wireless controller may very well go into the sleep mode to save batteries.
2. Try leaving the controller connected and not going into Mach for 25 min and see if the controller disconnects itself.  If so it is a Windows thing.
3. Check and see how long you have the desktop settings screensaver set for.  The screensaver time and/or the Windows sleep mode may be set fro approx 25 min.

I have used the controller for 2 - 3 hours at a time without and have not had any problems. But I use it a lot during those 2-3 hours so nothing every goes into the sleep mode.

Let me know how it goes.
Lee

105

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: April 05, 2009, 11:52:20 AM »

Hi Jeff,

Glad you got it fixed.

Lee

106

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: April 04, 2009, 02:52:12 PM »

Hi Jeff,

You did not say this, but, let me guess that it worked fine on a different pc but is not working now on the laptop.  If that is the case, I suspect that you need to download and install the Nov 2007 or later DirectX SDK (“directx_nov2007_redist.exe”) from Microsoft.  Besides installing DirectX 9.0c it includes some header files for the XBox360 Controller.  Vista should already be at 9.0c and may be at version 10.  So, Vista will skip the installation of DirectX 9.0c and just add in the Controller headers.  Unfortunately, I have not figured out a way to include the required files as part of the plugin installation.  Try that and let me know.

Additional notes:  The current version supports the SS and should stop when commanded. Let me know how yours is working after we solve the above problem.  A new version of the plugin will be available soon.  The only thing that it includes that is not in the current plugin is support for a certain type of Microsoft Wireless XBox360 controller.

Keep me posted
Lee

107

FAQs / Re: Unusual problem

« on: March 24, 2009, 12:20:29 AM »

Hi Guys,

Check this out:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/message/106557

2 things to look at in the thread: 1.hyperthreading and 2. corrupted folder.

Note: When changing from an older version of Mach to a new version, sometimes you just have to recreate the XML file (redo the settings). 

Also note this thread:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/message/106375

2 things to look at in the thread: 1. breakout boards and 2. XML file.

Sorry guys, but between my previous suggestions and these, I am all out of ideas.

Good Luck,
Lee

108

FAQs / Re: Unusual problem

« on: March 23, 2009, 01:13:09 PM »

Hi,

I thought that your G-Code file was changing.  Your first description of the problem sounded like a hardware problem or an electrical signal getting into your system.  In your second descriuption, you indicated that you were running at F50.  Do you need to go that fast?  Yes, offsets could be causing your second problem.
This is how I would approach the problem:
1. Make sure I have good electrical signal (no interference - motors on seperate line from computer).
2. Get a memory test program from the net and test memory multiple times.
3. Run Mach G Code program multiple times without anything connected to the parallel port looking to see if anything is changing in the GCode file or if the DROs and are showing the expected results.
4. Try running the code in a program such sa CNC Simulator (http://www.cncsimulator.com/)
5. Go back to earlier version and see if problem goes away.
6. Remove any breakout boxes or Smooth Stepper and try cutting air.
7. Consider possible problem with servos or wiring - check and swap.

If I checked all those things , one of them should give me an indication of the source of the problem.  The worst thing is when you have more than one problem.  For example, it may be that you have to go back to an earlier version of Mach, do not use offsets and have poor connection to one of the servos.

Good luck,
Lee

109

FAQs / Re: Unusual problem

« on: March 16, 2009, 01:35:05 PM »

It sounds like a hardware problem. If the file is showing as being corrupt on the pc then I would suspect the hard drive is failing especially since you say that you run it every day.
Other possible causes:
1. A program is running such as Antivirus, software update check, etc that happens to be running periodically when you are in Mach.
2. The memory is failing.
3. The power supply is failing.
4. A Virus.

If your hard drive is over about 3 years old and has been run daily then it is nearing the end of its life.  There are free programs on the net that will check memory besides the fact that you should remove and reinsert them a couple of times to get them to seat well.  If it happens again you can immediately go to the Task Manager and look for any programs that are taking up a lot of resources.

I do not have my computer connected to the net while I am using it to machine.

Good luck,
Lee

110

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller New Version Available

« on: March 02, 2009, 10:08:32 PM »

Hi,

If you want to disable a plugin such as the shuttle Pro, the easiest way is to Exit Mach and  then copy the ShuttlePro.dll that is in Mach3\Plugins to a safe place and then delete the original ShuttlePro.dll from the Mach3\Plugins folder.  Then restart Mach.  If the dll is not in the \Plugins folder then Mach will not use it.

If you need more help let me know.

Lee