Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 28, 2008, 07:16:23 PM »

Ahhh!!
thanks for the tip. unfortunately I'm using an out of the box version of Mach3 that ships with a Tormach mill.  It does the job within limits and does have some dedicated features that are helpful. The only thing I can jigger is the xml file. If we try to touch anything else, we get our little hands slapped. I'll hunt around and then download the full version if need be.
Thanks again.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 28, 2008, 04:48:11 PM »

Following up:

When I place the M1000 P(val) Q(val) in a tap, the macro ends up running during the file load. The tool table is annotated an amount equal to the Q(val) x the number of times the macro is called.

i.e. (to flog it another way) If M1000 macro occurs 4 times in the file with an offset of .005; the tool length is offset by .020 before I even run the file

I can manually re-edit the tool table after the file is loaded and before it is run.
Just wanted to put it out there that VB scripts can run during a file load and could cause some problems if you aren't looking.

Is there a way to call the macro only when the file is running using some sort of conditional syntax along the lines of; IF cycle is running THEN do magic ELSE pound sand?

Is there a signal or condition that is only true when the file runs, not loading? The start led flickers during load so nothing on the screen I can see to link to.

N1 ; run in offline mode to test
N2 ; runs M1000 macro to update tool length after grinding wheel is dressed
N3 ;
N4 M05 G40 G49 G80 G90
N5 T1 G43 H1 D1
N6 M06
N7 G00 Z0.0
N8 G01 Z-.1 F1.
N9 G00 Z0.0
N10 M1000 P1 Q.004 ;runs G10 with P(toolnum) Q(lengthoffset update)
N11 G04 P1.
N12 
N13 G01 Z-.1 F1.
N14 G00 Z0.0
N15 M1000 P1 Q.004
N16 G04 P1.
N17
N18 M30
               

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 27, 2008, 03:41:56 PM »

Graham,
Thanks for the silver platter.
I was looking around for VB info but I'm not familiar with this scripting. I've only learned vb.net for some other apps. Also was not finding a library of terms like GetToolParam. I was only finding bits and pieces here and there so avoiding the issue.

The macro works great. I'll be trying to use my CAM to insert the M1000 Px Qx next.

FYI : I did figure a way to update the offset in session using variables but couldn't use them to poll the tool offset from the table after a reboot. Methods from the old Ahha days.

Thanks again.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 27, 2008, 04:10:20 AM »

I'm missing something I tried the following and was hoping the tool offset would have totaled -0.008 by the end of the file but it stays at -0.004

N1 ;
N2 ;
N3 ;
N4 M05 G40 G49 G80 G90
N5 M06
N6 T20 G43 H20 D20
N7 G10 L1 P20 Z0.0 'set tool length
N8 G01 Z-.1 F1.
N9 G00 Z0.
N10 G91
N11 G10 L1 P20 Z-.004 'set new tool length
N12 G90
N13 G01 Z-.1 F1.
N14 G00 Z0.
N15 G91
N16 G10 L1 P20 Z-.004 'set new tool length
N17 G90
N18 M30

In the MachMill3 PDF section 10.7.5 states "...reset to the coordinate values given (in terms of the absolute system)."
                   

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 27, 2008, 02:58:14 AM »

Thanks, I tried that a little but didn't have a consistent enough approach while noodling around and then went off to the archives and forgot where I was. I'll give it another shot.

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 27, 2008, 01:42:10 AM »

Thanks for the reply. I don't know enough about mach3 (coming from mach2) if the wear is per cycle or a one shot offset. I'll give it some reading

Any way to read the tool z length offset to a variable?

I can use G10 L1 P1 Z[#1-0.004] if I can figure out how to get the tool table value into variable #!.

17

General Mach Discussion / Update Tool Data using G10?

« on: February 26, 2008, 10:14:29 PM »

I am using a surface grinder and would like to update the wheel z height after dressing.

I know how to set the tool height while running a program:

G10 L1 P1 Z1.000

Is there any syntax to update the Z value after I have removed .004 from the wheel radius? I've tried Z=(Z-.004), Z(Z -.004) etc

I'm looking around but not finding a parameter value that "might" work.

Thanks