Messages

11

Mach Screens / "Load G-Code" button - file locations

« on: June 29, 2010, 07:35:56 PM »

I'm setting up a screen for use with an engraver handling a large number of simple jobs. The G-Code programmes for these will be stored in a number of directories sorted by customer name, type of job, and so on. When I use the "Load G-Code" button it takes me to the last directory used. What I want is to have a number of buttons, each opening a specific directory, so the operator can go more directly to the required file.

Is there a way to do this? Bear in mind I have not tried Macros or VB Script yet, but if you can give me pointers I'll have a go - got to start one day!

12

Mach Screens / FRO Slider

« on: June 29, 2010, 07:26:22 PM »

I'm having trouble with a feed rate override slider. I copied it from the usual Mill screens, but the green bar is narrower than the allocated space.

An earlier thread included:

The trick is the format string, tab group, and the "skined" (should be spelled "skinned") should be checked as well.

I've found the format string, but where is the Tab Group and how is the DRO Skined (Skinned)? I see no space for a graphics file to be defined, nor any "Tab Group" in the definition box for this DRO.

The width and height of the slider are 25, 200 but the bar looks more like 12 pixels wide, and so is the DRO text at the top.

I'm working in Mach3screen, but Machscreen doesn't give any more clues. Can anyone clarify this for me?

13

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Removing Jog Controls flyout

« on: June 06, 2010, 09:19:42 PM »

I'm designing a very simple screen which will include the various Jog buttons, so I won't need the Jog Controls flyout, normally brought up using TAB. How do I remove it and make sure TAB does nothing to my new screen?

For more complex projects I might want to add other screens on flyouts like Jog. The Jog Controls are on screen 50 - how many screens can I have, and how do I add new ones with numbers above 15? And then how do I make them toggle with TAB, or some other key?

14

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Where is the wisdom accumulating?

« on: May 18, 2010, 08:24:53 PM »

When I search for various topics I get huge lists of threads, many of which have nothing to do with the subject I have in mind, and it takes ages to search through them. Usually I give up after the first hundred without finding anything relevant to my problem. Cryptic and irrelevant headings don't help, and some threads never reach any definite conclusion.

Where can we put the important information once all the discussion has come to a conclusion? I'm thinking of a growing online manual which would include everything known so far about, for instance, each G code command. This would be the first place to look for information, and would save the same questions being asked over and over again. Should the Wiki pages be used for this? There doesn't seem to be a space for G codes.  I'd like to see at least one page for each G, M or F code. For example, I have only written a few simple programmes but I feel I could improve the descriptions of G90 & G91 and G51, having had to use them intensively, and would aim to do the same for any other codes I have to use.

The hope would be to distil out the best descriptions of programming techniques, together with simple examples, and put them somewhere where they will be found easily. Eventually this could replace the printed (printable) manual, or be incorporated into it.

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Invisible Mach-3

« on: September 11, 2008, 08:52:03 AM »

The project is to get better control of the engraver (the current programme is Vistools 6). From what you say I can run a standard machining programme, but with a variable which is input by the operator. At this stage it is enough to know it can be done - now I have to make a start on working out how. It should not be too hard to sort out the electrics, as the machine already contains stepper motor drivers & I have the data sheets, & we have a spare computer to use. The harder part for me is wading through the setup of Mach 3. Actually writing the G code is not too bad - I know how in principle, and others in the company run NC machines, so I will finally get some practical experience.

I shall search for the previous posts, and then probably be back with some more specific questions.

Thanks for the information

Keith

16

General Mach Discussion / Invisible Mach-3

« on: September 10, 2008, 11:11:40 PM »

Hi all,

I am new to all this, so I may be dealing with something which is old hat to the regulars - please be patient!

I hope to use Mach 3 to control an existing engraver, which I'm sure it can do. The jobs are all similar, and there will be about 20 standard components, each needing one line of text. I want the operator to load the component into a fixture, select the component type, and then input the line of text. They then press the GO button (in some form) and the job starts. No programming, no G codes, nothing like that bothering the operator. So all the generation of G codes and so on happens automatically.

The big question is - can this be done?

The second question is - can anyone give me a clue as to how?

Thanks in advance,

Keith