Messages

41

NC Pod / Re: what version of Mach3 do I need

« on: November 05, 2007, 10:05:44 PM »

Frank , I don't have a pod but you may have better luck with help if you post your setup info as best you can. Most of the guys here will respond if they feel they can help but they need info to evalulate you setup. Thanks Drew

42

Mach Screens / Re: Best 2-state button

« on: October 30, 2007, 08:25:18 PM »

The led doesn't work right if there is no image attached to the button. (see previous post topic about 2 state buttons) You can use a transparent.png and it works fine. Heres the one that I ues.  BTW your home light looks great. I also use screen4.
Drew

43

NC Pod / Re: PWM to Digital??

« on: October 30, 2007, 01:51:16 AM »

If you can send out a 100% PWM that would be the same as a 5v output but you will need to make sure it is only outputing when you want the spindle on. With some speed signles the pulse is outputed even when the spindle is off. I think this can be done if you never command a S speed in g-code or the DRO and write custom macro for M3/M5. Tell Mach3 max spindle speed is 1000 rpm then M3 macro should be 'S1000' and M5 macro 'S0'.  I don't have a pod so this is a guess that it would work. Drew

44

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Celtic Cross from cherry wood

« on: October 30, 2007, 01:22:39 AM »

Execellent work, good blend of old/new school to have a quick but still unique part .
Drew

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe controls

« on: October 30, 2007, 12:56:02 AM »

I am using a cnc4pc parallel port opto card that is a few years old. It doesn't have any bell or whistles like leds for I/O state. The motor steps and direction plus PWM for spindle speed all come from outputs from this card via LPT1. I had planed on using the inputs for an encoder/MPG and did test it but with a shuttle pro for jogging I just don't see a need for it but I do send the Index mark through this card.
The LPT2 is heavy on inputs so I used a opto22 G4PB16 with it. You can get a good deal on them off eBay. Also I don't think the opto22 stuff is fast enough for motor steps or direction with regards to timming sync. Pics of my lathe can be found here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4618.0.html
Drew 

46

Mach Screens / Best 2-state button

« on: October 26, 2007, 08:57:32 PM »

OK let me know which 2-state button IYO is best. Thanks Drew

47

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / NEW FEATURES AND VERSIONS

« on: October 26, 2007, 08:07:07 PM »

Latest Mach3 version R2.56 (lockdown)   New feature Mach Brains (faster than macro pump)

It would be nice if new version, feature, plugin and hardware had a short blurb or ticker on the main Machsupport page.
IMHO Drew
 

48

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Drew's Hardinge HNC Mach3 (from AH-HA for about 7 years ,from GE550)

« on: October 26, 2007, 12:26:45 PM »

This HNC is just about done. It was converted from a Ge550 to Ah-ha about 7 years ago. I never liked the Ah-ha because you had to stop the machine from running to make a tool offset and it didn't have wear offsets. But it did thread unlike most other options available 7 years ago and vfd output was built into the card I got. The only thing I liked about the Ah-ha control is it didn't break down every hour of run time as the Ge550 did.
The new Mach control seem great. I haven't used it for any production run yet. It is run from the Parallel Port. It uses just about every input and output Mach has. It has steppers and drivers from the last conversion along with a 5HP spindle motor and VFD used to replace the original 2HP spindle and hi/low clutch also the varable speed pully is locked in place. New items include the touch screen lcd monitor, shuttle pro (piece of plastic glued to bottom for handle), handheld trackball and opto22 rack.
All the other functions are original  such as the turret index, collet and cutoff slide.
One last note I added a solinoid air valve to the machine so Mach can turn off the air when it is not needed. The collet rotary adaptor leaks air badly.  Just need to make sure the air is on when the oiler is active.
Drew
,,,
,
,
,
,
,
,

49

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: ShuttlePro2 doesn't work after installation.

« on: October 20, 2007, 09:51:34 AM »

Mine worked fine. I installed the plugin, found the confige page, set some buttons and it worked.
Installing the Win driver is defently not needed.  You may want to make sure set one button for shuttel lock\unlock.
Drew

50

Mach Screens / Re: Setting a toolpath to Turning control problem.

« on: October 19, 2007, 11:41:19 PM »

I have converted a mill screen to a lathe screen that has 5 pages with toolpath displays. None of the toolpaths stay checked but 3 of then work fine 2 of them show nothing.  My problem could be the transparent layer in the frame but I not sure.
Drew