Topics

21

General Mach Discussion / Two more questions

« on: February 11, 2007, 10:55:20 AM »

Is there a setting that would stop the spindle after pressing the esc key?
Right now, If something goes wrong I hit the esc key. But, the spindle does not stop. I've got a breakout board with relays on it. I use one of these relays to control the spindle power with M04/03 start and M05 stop.
Also, when I power the system down for the day and then come back and power it up all the axis' are set to zero. If I didn't home the machine on power down, I have to reset the absolute zero's for all the axis'. Is there any setting I can adjust that will cause the system to remember the position just before shut down?
Thanks
LEW

22

General Mach Discussion / Voice question

« on: January 30, 2007, 09:29:49 PM »

I've been going through the pdf manual for Mach 3 and ran across the voice function. If I'm reading it right, a person can initiate a wav file to audibly draw attention to a trigger. Perhaps a machine pause or reset needed or limit switch triggered. Can anyone tell me the details of calling a wav file? Can it be done from within a gcode program. Specifically, I'd like to call an M01 (program pause) and give an audible command like "change the part" or "change the tool". Can this be done? and, if so, how?
Thanks
LEW

23

General Mach Discussion / Spindle start delay

« on: January 26, 2007, 08:51:17 AM »

Hi:
I've been running a new install of Mach3 just to get used to it.
I've noticed a bit of a time delay whenever an M04 is issued. The machine stops for a bit (maybe 2 seconds) and the spindle starts and the machine continues. Same for spindle stop (M05). Is there a built in timer that can be changed? On my other system when M04 is encountered it simply starts the spindle and exectues the next command immediately.
Thanks
LEW

24

General Mach Discussion / OEM codes

« on: January 22, 2007, 12:35:06 PM »

Hi All:
Is there a place where I can find the OEM codes used when designing a screen?
I know this may sound like a dumb question but I've done a search and didn't turn up any lists. I know I can find the codes by looking at an existing screen but I'd like to print one out or look at a list and pick from there.
Thanks
Lew

25

General Mach Discussion / Question, hotkeys

« on: January 08, 2007, 05:57:16 PM »

Hi:
I'm somewhat new to Mach 3 and learning.
Is there a way to set a hotkey(s) for referencing all home?
How about zeroing a particular axis?
How about moving all to zero?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
LEW

26

General Mach Discussion / Up and Running

« on: January 04, 2007, 09:43:07 PM »

Hi Everyone:
I have just recently got all the wiring done and odds and ends in place for my mill with Mach3 and Gecko 201's. Still some work to do what with getting another output and playing a little with the motor tuning.
I was using a dos system before and got comfortable with the key strokes. I could jog, start a program, feed hold, restart, toggle the spindle on/off, toggle coolant, disable the drives, etc, etc,.... all from the keyboard. Actually, everything was done from the keyboard.  I had a mini keyboard mounted on the face of the z housing and it was quite convenient. Perhaps I could get some responses to what people are using for an operator interface and where is it mounted? Like, is anyone using a mini trackball keyboard? keyboard w. touch panel? Joystick? What seems to be the most popular and user convenient?
Thanks
LEW

27

General Mach Discussion / Help with Gecko's

« on: December 23, 2006, 08:35:40 AM »

Hi All:
Another question. I am in the midst of wiring Gecko G201's and have noticed that terminal 10 is marked "common" instead of "5VDC" as in the documentation. Is anyone familiar with this discrepancy and can someone tell me just where to connect this terminal?
Thanks
lewenz@sbcglobal.net

28

General Mach Discussion / Wire gauge

« on: December 20, 2006, 03:00:35 PM »

Another question.
I'm using Gecko's and Mach3. Just now building the system.
Wondering what recommendations for wire size?
I'm using 12awg. from the torroid to the capacitors but don't think I need or can use this size for power to the gecko's and out to the stepper's.
What should I be using from the gecko's to the steppers and what should be used from the power supply to the power and ground on the gecko's?
Thanks in advance.

29

General Mach Discussion / Program pause and message window

« on: December 19, 2006, 11:17:07 PM »

Hi All:
I'm new to Mach3. Just now building a system.
I've used the Ahha system prior to this.
One feature I'm interested in is a way to do a program pause and display a message.
It was pretty easy in Ahha but I'm wondering if this capability is possible with Mach 3?
Thanks in advance.