Messages

381

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 "Run form here" quit working

« on: September 24, 2014, 12:00:45 PM »

Hi

This is a common problem. RFH doesn't like G31 or G28.1 IHS/TOM routines. Different folks use different strokes to work around it (try a search here on RFH for an overview).

382

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Tool zeroing macro help

« on: September 24, 2014, 07:35:29 AM »

#1 and #2

383

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: What is a Macro? and what can it do for me?

« on: September 16, 2014, 06:16:26 AM »

so how much of the thread I linked to did you actually read?

384

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: What is a Macro? and what can it do for me?

« on: September 16, 2014, 05:05:46 AM »

I did the activate/deactivate thing.

Whatever that means.

Post the M3 macro you tried.

385

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: What is a Macro? and what can it do for me?

« on: September 13, 2014, 06:54:33 AM »

1st problem: I can only repeat...

either by upping your accel if possible OR by using Mach's THC anti-dive.

2nd problem: See http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,27826.0.html

EDIT: when you say...

and doesn't expect it to be lit.

It does when you have THC turned on - no arcok - no movement. However THC turned off - it doesn't care whether you have arok or not - hence (part of) the discussion in the link above.

386

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC Macro Help

« on: September 13, 2014, 06:41:52 AM »

It will need to drive against the pawl as there is mechanical play in the drive train which is a worm gear, resolution 40:1 results in just under 1/8" play at the tool tip. allthough the script we have thus far indexes correctly i wouldn't be confident maching with it.

I think this is where we're going to run into "issues".

Steppers are not the best choice of motors for applying force against stationary objects.

If you run a steady current DC motor up against the end stops it will just sit their nice and quite - pushing. However a stepper motor will tend to vibrate like crazy. THEN when you stop supplying steps it will tend to jump 2 steps backwards and THEN sit there quietly. However it's now - no longer - pushing against the stationary object. Just bear in mind that using a stepper MAY turn out to be not a good choice.

I think its better suited to incremental motion, and possibly reset of dro according to input configuration if thats possible.

Don't follow you - what problem are you trying to solve? I'm not against incremental but I can't see any particular advantage - please explain.

I really cant get my head around VBscript but is it not possibble to get it to rotate 45 degrees, check pins and rotate another 45 if not correct configuration of the 3 sensors and continue to do this until the correct config is reached. then obviously reverse at the end to lock.

You're still thinking servo. When we incorporate the positional info (pins), we'll know where we are so we'll know how to get where we want. Why "hunt" for something when we know where it is?

387

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC Macro Help

« on: September 13, 2014, 03:41:16 AM »

OK "ratcheting back into the pawl". Let's see if we really need to do this.

In the original system - they used a "regular" DC motor and they reversed it into the pawl with half current to hold it. Yes?

So - in that system the pawl stopped it moving ONE way and the "holding" torque of the motor stopped it moving the other way. Is that correct?

If we do exactly the same with the stepper, then the pawl will again stop it moving ONE way and the holding torque of the stepper motor will stop it moving the other. HOWEVER - here's the difference. Unlike DC motors, the stepper will resist movement in BOTH directions. So if the holding torque is good enough one way - it must be good enough the other way - so why do we need the pawl to hold it. Or am I missing something?

Put more simply - if you were to use it "as is" is the holding torque of the stepper not sufficient to resist cutting forces without using the pawl?

BTW - a video would help me see what's going on so far.

388

General Mach Discussion / Re: 1st pierce is longer...

« on: September 13, 2014, 03:04:33 AM »

 

389

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC Macro Help

« on: September 12, 2014, 11:57:59 AM »

OK - so you have a basic but working ATC - so over to you - what would you like it to do now that it doesn't do?

390

General Mach Discussion / Re: 1st pierce is longer...

« on: September 12, 2014, 11:18:27 AM »

Well I thought I'd leave you to just try it but anyway...

You've misconstrued what Tom has told you. (not like you Dave )

ArcOK, Up and Down ARE indeed ignored by Mach's THC system when Mach's THC is turned off. That however does NOT mean they aren't present. Just because Mach's internal THC ignores them doesn't mean your macro will.

As long as Tom's THC still send the signals even when Mach's THC is off (which it darn well should) then you're fine.