Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit Switches and Interference

« on: October 15, 2012, 10:29:24 PM »

I haven't tried this because I haven't had a problem - yet - but what about a bypass capacitor (0.1 uf or so) from each switch to ground?

Here is a discussion regarding them - http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jun97/basics.html 

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Total NOOB Quick start guide. ?

« on: October 04, 2012, 11:21:07 PM »

..................
Oh BTW, there a quick start guide already written called MACH3 TUTORIAL by Henrik Olssen, about 14 pages long.
Here is the link:
ftp://ftp.machsupport.com/Docs/Mach3%20Setup%20Tutorial.pdf

RICH

Link doesn't work 

13

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: HSM Works & Mach3

« on: September 27, 2012, 09:37:26 PM »

I haven't used it with MACH3 yet but it works fine using their Haas post processor.
You can download HSMXpress for free so why not give it a try.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: formula for slotted disc

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:49:13 AM »

Look in the MACH3 Turn manual - Page 4-12

"For reliable running Mach3 needs a pulse of at least 200 microseconds from the slots. You
can calculate your slot angle or width as follows:
Suppose the maximum speed of your spindle is N (rpm).
The slot angle required alpha (degrees) is given by
alpha = 0.0012 x N
If the diameter of the disc is D (inches or mm) then the slot width W (in same units) will be approximately
W = 0.0088 x alpha x D
So for example if maximum spindle speed is 3000 RPM and disc diameter is 110 mm then:
Alpha = 0.0012 x 3000 = 3.6o
Slot width = 0.0088 x 3.6 x 110 = 3.48 mm
Big slot needs to be 50% wider = 3.48 x 1.5 = 5.22 mm
The example in figure 4.11 has three slots at about 4 mm and one about 8 mm wide.
You will see that you cannot use a disc with many slots or holes in it or use a conventional
encoder. The pulse would be too fast. The original index sensing arrangements can usually
be simplified when retrofitting an old lathe . These often had multiple slots for speed
sensing together with a single index slot.
As well as for timing threading operations, Mach3 also uses the index pulse to display the
actual speed of the spindle and can implement a feed-per-revolution, rather than feed-perminute,
based on it."

15

FAQs / Re: I NEEEEED HELP!!.....fast

« on: September 02, 2012, 01:55:35 AM »

This may be way off base but I have read of others having problems with the cheap breakout board that comes with those routers.
I know you're looking for a quick fix but investing in a decent, USA made breakout board may do the trick.
There also have been discussions regarding noise in the system electronics due to poor grounding.

16

CS-Lab / Re: First impressions of CS-Lab products

« on: August 26, 2012, 09:24:45 AM »

BTW should that not be 6 digital out rather than the 4 you said? Maybe you were thinking of the 4 axis?
Hood

You're right - There are 6 digital outs - 4 solid state and 2 relay contact...... I missed that... :>)
Their manual's I/O listing is incorrect and doesn't agree with the digital I/O connector pin-out.

Regarding threading using MACH3 - I haven't tried it with MACH3 but have read that there have been a lot of issues with that portion of the program.
Do you know if that's been sorted yet?

Orin

17

CS-Lab / Re: First impressions of CS-Lab products

« on: August 25, 2012, 08:56:37 PM »

Hi Hood...

Here is the question I asked them:

"The EMCO Compact 5PC that I'm converting has 2 simple opto sensors on the spindle - One for speed that reads a 100 pulse-per-revolution slotted disk and one for indexing that reads 1 pulse-per-revolution for indexing. Could I not simply use 2 of the CSMIO/IP-M digital inputs to read these opto sensor outputs and configure them for RPM and Index sensors through MACH3? Having to use the CSMIO/IP-S + ENC module for this appears to be overkill for this simple project."

and here is their answer:

"I think about something for threading in low-budget projects. Currently we have a lot of work with firmware and new functionalities for CSMIO/IP-A and IP-S, but function you're talking about + PID controller for spindle speed(torque control mode) should be available also with near firmware upgrades."

I hope I understood their response correctly -

Orin

18

CS-Lab / Re: First impressions of CS-Lab products

« on: August 25, 2012, 04:12:22 PM »

Hood,

I have tried to post a reply to your original thread but the forum keeps kicking my post back? Trying again by making a new post...........


Nice looking installation -

I have one of their CSMIO/IP-M and MPG modules that I ordered to update my EMCO Compact 5PC lathe. I had started on the update but then started having problems with My Defiance Mill's controller (Bridgeport DX-32) so the EMCO project got pushed to the back burner for a while.

I have done some bench testing of the IP-M and ENC modules and I really like CS-Labs MACH3 plugin. Its well thought out and it was really easy to set up.
Like you, I also liked the DIN rail mounting and it makes for an easy, neat installation.

I had originally wanted to use the EMCO's spindle slotted disk and optical sensors for RPM and Index feedback but found the CSMIO/IP-M's firmware didn't allow for this.
I recently wrote CS-Labs regarding this and they have said the firmware in the IP-M was due for update in the near future to add this function. This was very good to hear and will
make the CSMIO/IP-M + ENC a perfect combination for a large number of lathe and mill conversions. Not the cheapest option but a far more flexible one.

CS-Lab also said they were adding VFD PID control to the CSMIO/IP-M  -  
12 Digital In
4 Digital Out
2 Analog In
2 Analog out
NICE!!

Attached are a couple of photos of my project - Please keep us up-to-date on yours.

Orin

[modified to add attachment - scottn]

19

CS-Lab / Re: First impressions of CS-Lab products

« on: August 25, 2012, 02:04:47 PM »

Hood,

Nice looking installation -

I have one of their CSMIO/IP-M and MPG modules that I ordered to update my EMCO Compact 5PC lathe. I had started on the update but then started having problems with My Defiance Mill's controller (Bridgeport DX-32) so the EMCO project got pushed to the back burner for a while.

I have done some bench testing of the IP-M and ENC modules and I really like CS-Labs MACH3 plugin. Its well thought out and it was really easy to set up.
Like you, I also liked the DIN rail mounting and it makes for an easy, neat installation.

I had originally wanted to use the EMCO's spindle slotted disk and optical sensors for RPM and Index feedback but found the CSMIO/IP-M's firmware didn't allow for this.
I recently wrote CS-Labs regarding this and they have said the firmware in the IP-M was due for update in the near future to add this function. This was very good to hear and will
make the CSMIO/IP-M + ENC a perfect combination for a large number of lathe and mill conversions. Not the cheapest option but a far more flexible one.

CS-Lab also said they were adding VFD PID control to the CSMIO/IP-M  -  
12 Digital In
4 Digital Out
2 Analog In
2 Analog out
NICE!!

Orin


    

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommendations on BEST Breakout Board by General Mach3 Users !

« on: June 16, 2012, 09:56:07 PM »

You may want to consider the CSMIO/IP-M  - Ethernet, 4 axis, and a load of I/O

http://www.cs-lab.eu/en/galeria-zdjecie-dD-60-CSMIOIPM_4axis_Ethernet_Motion_Controller__instead_of_LPT_solution.html

I have one and so far it's looking nice - Haven't got to the point of making chips yet but testing has been OK.