Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help needed Connecting NPN Proximity sensors to BB`s

« on: May 12, 2008, 04:34:49 PM »

Am I missing something here...

The C23 wiring info indicates how to connect a 12v sensor...

NOTES:
This board has 18 inputs and 16 outputs for a total of 34 I/Os.
1.All inputs and outputs are provided with pull-down resistors.
2. If you need to connect a device that outputs more than 5vdc, you can use a resistor to limit the current.
Use the following resistor values:
10 vdc - 1 MOhm
12 vdc - 1.5 MOhm
24 vdc - 3.9 MOhm.
To use these resistor values your card must be powered with 5vdc.  If you are powering your board with a different voltage unexpected results can happen., including damage to the board.

http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C23R2WG.pdf

Does this not work?

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle index quit working

« on: May 12, 2008, 04:19:05 PM »

This might sound like a daft suggestion but at this point I guess you don't mind them!

Does the diagnostic light come on the right way around? i.e. only when the slot lines up with the sensor? If the light comes on when the sensor can't see through the slot then you may have toggled the "active low" setting by mistake.

43

Brains Development / Re: Turning on Spindle in a set direction...

« on: May 12, 2008, 04:03:38 PM »

This is what I have in my brain...

Rung 1 works fine and switches off the spindle if both buttons are pressed (odd I know but that is how the control panel works, a third button "stop" sends BOTH signals)

Rung2 and Rung3 both work and switch the spindle on in the correct direction. But as soon as it has switched on, it switches off again, if I keep my finger on the button it switches on/off/on/off/on/off etc etc.

What I need is something to replace the rung terminations with something that says "spindle on cw" and "spindle on ccw" instead of "output1" and "output2"

Thanks
Simon

44

Brains Development / Re: Turning on Spindle in a set direction...

« on: May 12, 2008, 01:25:06 PM »

Scott,

The spindle forward and reverse already work fine from the M3 and M4 commands in G-Code.
The brain is to handle the physical control panel buttons.
I was trying to use "spindle on" as the termination for the rung. I will try OUTPUT1 & OUTPUT2 as the termination. I thought I had tried that but I will double check.
I am not using modbus, just parallel ports.

Thanks
Simon

45

Brains Development / Turning on Spindle in a set direction...

« on: May 11, 2008, 04:38:47 PM »

Hi,

How do I turn on the spindle in a set direction in a brain? 
If I terminate my condition with the "UserLED" "164 - Spindle CW on" it does not turn on the spindle.

If I use "Button" "Spindle on/off" it starts it but in whatever direction it was last moving in.

I have tried 2 rungs, one setting the UserLED and the other pressing the button but that doesn't work either.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
Simon

46

Brains Development / Re: Optimum Brain Size

« on: May 11, 2008, 04:27:58 PM »

Sorry, Scratch those questions. I managed to find the Video tutorials and the questions were answered.

47

General Mach Discussion / Re: Potentiometer Input

« on: May 10, 2008, 06:59:49 PM »

John,

Thanks for the pointer, I hadn't, I will have a read. I saw it was for Mach2 and didn't download it.

Thanks
Simon

48

Brains Development / Optimum Brain Size

« on: May 10, 2008, 06:52:31 PM »

Hi,

Is it better to have one big brain which does all the functions or a lot of little brains?  Is there any benefit to either other than ease of editing?

Also I can't find how to insert an input into an existing brain only how to append on on the bottom.

Thanks
Simon

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: Potentiometer Input

« on: May 10, 2008, 05:30:17 PM »

John,

Thanks for the reply. I already have the potentiometer, I just need to hook it into Mach3 somehow. How does a keygrabber read a potentiometer?

Thanks
Simon

50

General Mach Discussion / Potentiometer Input

« on: May 10, 2008, 04:05:43 PM »

Guys,

Is there a way to get a potentiometer input into Mach3 without using a PLC or ModIO?

I have a feedrate pot on the control panel of my lathe which I would like to connect up if possible however using a PLC or ModIO just for feerate override seems a bit over the top! i have enough other inputs/outputs already using a smoothstepper.

Is there a simple add-on card I can buy?

Thanks
Simon