Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: Couple Questions

« on: April 16, 2007, 07:53:47 AM »

Thanks much for the replies, Zealous.
I'll give one of your suggestions a try when I get a chance.
LEW

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: Couple Questions

« on: April 15, 2007, 10:19:59 PM »

Hi Brian:
Thanks for the reply.
Regarding the hyphen's, I don't have any in the Gcode file but they show up in all the files I load.
First four lines look like this:
--------------------------------------

I am using a screen that I designed and perhaps there's a setting I've missed in the design of the window.? Not sure but I'll have a look at it.
Thanks again.
LEW

43

General Mach Discussion / Couple Questions

« on: April 15, 2007, 08:01:42 PM »

Hi All:
Just wondering if there's a setting that a person can toggle between full screen and not. Thinkin that it would be nice to use the entire screen and not have to look at the menu bar. Some windows programs allow you to hit an F key and the program goes full screen. Then, when you need to use the menu bar you can hit the same F key and the menu bar appears.
Also, in the program window when I load a program there's always about four or five lines at the beginning of the Gcode file with hyphons before the actual Gcode. Any way of getting rid of the hyphons?
Thanks
LEW

44

General Mach Discussion / Wav files

« on: April 09, 2007, 05:09:31 PM »

Hi All:
Just wondering if anyone can tell me if it's possible to call a wave file from within a gcode program without going through a bunch of VB script?
Like, say if I pause a program with an m01 can I call and play a wav file while awaiting a cycle start?
LEW

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: Variables - revisited

« on: March 30, 2007, 07:05:41 PM »

Just a side note:
I have found that this will work also -
#1=1.5
#2=[0-#1]

Found that out right after posting the previous message.

Out for now.
LEW

46

General Mach Discussion / Re: Variables - revisited

« on: March 30, 2007, 07:01:58 PM »

Thank you, Brian and Graham for your replies.
Sorry for asking so many questions about variables. I come from an Ahha system which I still use and have "grown up" on. The Mach. system is somewhat different programming-wise. I need to get used to the differences.
Variables are one of the differences that I need to understand because I use them in quite a few programs. I've found that it simplifies things for future use when I desire to make changes. Actually, I've become comfortable writing code for the Ahha using variables and have a few "canned" programs for drilling and simple pocket routines where all I have to do is change a few variables at the beginning of the program and I can start cutting chips quickly.
Just trying to get to this level with Mach.
I have found one thing of interest that seems awkward with the Mach system. Perhaps you can shed some light. In Ahha a circle could be coded on one line using x,y,i,j. In Mach. if I understand it correclty, a circle has to be programmed as two semi circles. Any reason for this?
I guess you can see where the variables would come in handy.
By the way, Graham, I appreciate your example on how to use one variable and have it change the negative side as well. I'll be using that right along.
Thanks
LEW

47

General Mach Discussion / Variables - revisited

« on: March 27, 2007, 08:46:45 PM »

Hi All:
I've now got a handle on using variables in a G code program. However, I'm still puzzled on how I can use a variable to represent a negative number.
Why does this not work?


#1=1.312   ;FIRST HALF CIRCLE RADIUS
#2=-#1      ;SECOND HALF CIRCLE RADIUS

G90
G0 X-1.5 Y0.0
M04
G0 Z-1.0
G01 X-1.312 F2
G2 X#1 Y0.0 R#1 F2
G2 X#2 Y0.0 R#1 F2
G0 Z0.0
M05
G0 X0.0 Y0.0
M30

When Mach reads #2 it gives an error something like "No digits found where real number should be".
I've tried it by giving #2 a value of -1.312 and it works fine.
Thanks in advance.
LEW

48

General Mach Discussion / Re: Variables

« on: March 02, 2007, 11:17:20 AM »

Ok, all bets are off.
Just made some changes to an old program and found that in fact using a decimal and representing it with the # symbol DOES work. Actually I'm using the variable to provide an offset. Goes something like this.

#1=-.03

g0 x[2.0+#1] y1.5

I had to change the [ from ( .
Using ( seems to not work and may have been causing the error.
Anyway, this"[" does work and so does using # to represent a decimal.
Thanks all for your replies and help.
I'm off to make some more chips. And, convert some more old programs.
LEW

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: Variables

« on: March 02, 2007, 10:58:12 AM »

Hi Graham. Thanks for the reply.
I'm reading that in using the # symbol the program is expecting the value set for this parameter to be an integer.
In fact, when I set a parameter using the # symbol and give it a value that is a decimal it causes an error in the program when I load it into Mach 3. The error reads "bad number value" in line(whatever line the  value is in).
So, I'm still wondering how I can represent a decimal by using a variable.
LEW

50

General Mach Discussion / Re: Restart issue + jogging question

« on: March 02, 2007, 08:58:00 AM »

Here I come again.
Hi All:
I've pasted the program into this post with a couple notes on where I'm trying to restart and where it actually goes to for the restart.
I've tried it a number of times then I ran out of time and posted the question. Each time it restarts at the center drill subroutine "O1" and not where I'd like it to restart (sub O6).
As usual, any help would be appreciated. Thank goodness for this forum.

G90
G0 X0.0 Y1.279
M98 P1
G0 X-4.625 Y1.279
M98 P1
G0 X-9.125 Y1.594
M98 P1
G0 X-9.220 Y-1.818
M98 P1
G0 X-4.625 Y-2.096
M98 P1
G0 X0.0 Y-2.096
M98 P1
G0 X4.625 Y-2.096
M98 P1
G0 X9.220 Y-1.818
M98 P1
G0 X9.125 Y1.594
G65 P%DRIL1
G0 X4.625 Y1.279
M98 P1
M5
G0 Z0.0
G0 X0.0 Y4.0


;"CHANGE TO THE 1/4INCH DRILL "
;"SET 1/4 OFF DECK "
M01


G0 X-1.062 Y1.969
M98 P2
G0 X-7.500 Y2.282
M98 P2
G0 X-9.25 Y0.782
M98 P2
G0 X-8.625 Y-2.406
M98 P2
G0 X8.625 Y-2.406
M98 P2
G0 X9.25 Y0.782
M98 P2
G0 X7.50 Y2.282
M98 P2
G0 X1.062 Y1.969
M98 P2
M5
G0 Z0.0
G0 X0.0 Y4.0

;"INSTALL THE C'DRILL "
;"1/2 ABOVE DECK "
M01

G0 X-6.937 Y2.907
M98 P3
G0 X-2.312
M98 P3
G0 X6.937
M98 P3

;"INSTALL THE 19/64 DRILL "
;"1/2 INCH ABOVE DECK "
M01



G0 X6.937
M98 P4
G0 X-2.312
M98 P4
G0 X-6.937 Y2.907
M98 P4



;"INSTALL THE 5/16 REAMER "
;"1/2 INCH ABOVE DECK "
M01

G0 X-6.937 Y2.907
M98 P5
G0 X-2.312
M98 P5
G0 X6.937
M98 P5
G0 X0.0 Y4.0


;"CHANGE TO THE 33/64 INCH DRILL "
;"SET 1/2 ABOVE DECK "
M01

G0 X0.0 Y1.279
M98 P6
G0 X-4.625 Y1.279
M98 P6
G0 X-9.125 Y1.594
M98 P6
G0 X-9.22 Y-1.818
M98 P7
G0 X-4.625 Y-2.096                        ;Tried to restart on this line
M98 P6                                         ;Expected it jump to subroutine O6
G0 X0.0 Y-2.096                            ;But instead it jumps to subroutine O1
M98 P6
G0 X4.625 Y-2.096
M98 P6
G0 X9.22 Y-1.818
M98 P7
G0 X9.125 Y1.594
M98 P6
G0 X4.625 Y1.279
M98 P6
M5
G0 Z0.0
G0 X0.0 Y4.0
M2


O1 ;CENTERDRILL  ;When restarted, program jumps here and tries to run from here.
G90
M4
M07
G0 Z-0.45
G01 Z-#11 F#1
M09
G0 Z-0.4
M99

O2 ; 1/4DRILL
G90
M4
M07
G0 Z-0.2
G01 Z-1.0 F8.0
M09
G0 Z-0.2
M99

O3 ;CENTERDRIL THE DOWELS
M04
M07
G0 Z-0.45
G01 Z-0.850 F8.0
M5
M09
G0 Z0.0
M99

O4 ;DRILL THE DOWELS
M04
M07
G0 Z-0.45
G01 Z-1.1 F8.0
M5
M09
G0 Z0.0
M99

O5 ;REAM THE DOWELS
M04
M07
G0 Z-0.45
G01 Z-1.0 F8.0
M5
M09
G0 Z0.0
M99

O6                                  ;Should goto the coords' at restart and jump here.
G90
M4
M7
G83G99Z-4.2R-.45P0Q.3F4.0G90G90
M9
G0 Z-0.40
M99


O7
G90
M4
M7
G83G98Z-3.0R-.4P0Q.3F4.0G90
M9
G0 Z-0.40
M99