Topics

21

General Mach Discussion / Signal ground / Earth ground

« on: November 27, 2013, 08:13:03 AM »

Signal ground / Earth ground

In reference to ground loops as a source of “noise”:

Quote from Tweakie.

“Also check for GND loops - in particular the LPT cable shield should not be connected to GND at both the computer end and the machine frame if they are both, in turn, connected to earth etc.”

“Quote
Interesting Tweakie, what about the signal grounds like pins 18-25 on a DB25 connector? can that be grounded at both ends? I hope.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Yes, the 18-25 is common signal GND between the PC and the controller but remember that this is signal GND, it is not Earth.

Tweakie.”

I believe the LPT signal grounds are connected to the computer chaise which is also the -5V and -12V power supply GND which in turn is connected to earth ground through the AC power card. Is this correct?

Is it OK to have the signal grounds be connected to earth ground at both the computer and a controller which is grounded at the machine?

Thanks for any help.

Tony
   

22

General Mach Discussion / Vital Reboot/Blue screen of death

« on: April 10, 2013, 01:01:12 PM »

I installed Mach3 R3.043.066 on a XP machine. I clicked "Finish" on the last set up screen where it said something like "Installation Completed successfully, Reboot" The machine rebooted and as I ran the program I got "the blue screen of death" stating a problem with a driver. I removed the program, Mach3 Directory, all the short cuts and the Mach3 Driver from System Properties / Hardware / Device Manager / Mach3 Pulsing Engine. Installed the program again and didn't get the reboot warning and rebooted anyway. I still have the Blue Screen Of Death. Is there something I didn't remove? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tony

23

VB and the development of wizards / DoOemButton(138) / G28

« on: January 21, 2013, 01:48:24 PM »

I'm running two machines. One on XP and the other on W2000. Mach Version R3.043.066 on both

Both run G28 as Z home then X and Y together to home.

On XP DoOemButton(138) sends Z home then X then Y.

On W2000 DoOemButton(138) sends X home then Y then Z.

Can you suggest a fix to this?

Thanks for any help.
Tony

24

VB and the development of wizards / Updated VB doc?

« on: November 04, 2012, 04:18:48 PM »

I was reading the Change Log and noticed this:

//Many updates added and debugged to get to this stage...
May 2/2011
3.043.036
-- Run Script added and lots of work to get it to shut down when an Estop Stop or like event happens
-- Lots opf VB tools added for managing scripts (Check VB doc for added calls)
-- Bug fix for Spindle speed getting set by an external device (P POrt)
-- Threading Driver update for the P POrt
-- #Expand added to VB for source control

I've checked all the VB, macro and script docs I have and they are all much older than 2/2011. Which one am I missing? Thanks for any help.

25

VB and the development of wizards / Possible bug in Version 3.043.053 and up

« on: February 16, 2012, 03:37:34 PM »

Mach3Version3.043.053 and .058

I'm using XP and machine hangs (locks up) in VB Script Editor whine I try to use "While IsMoving()".

Example:

DoOemButton(1010)
While Ismoving()
Wend

Anybody else having this trouble?

Thanks,

Tony

26

General Mach Discussion / Unstable analog inputs

« on: January 31, 2012, 04:03:39 PM »

I’m using two 10K pots for analog inputs through a ModIO for FRO and Speed % DROs The DROs float around about + and – 2% from set point. Is there a way to buffer or smooth out the inputs. I could write a macro with 100 “deadspots” but that doesn’t seem to be the way to go. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

27

Modbus / Pulsating outputs

« on: January 27, 2012, 11:50:58 AM »

I’m just setting up and testing a new ModIO V6.3 board per instructions in user guide ModIO_User092.PDF and find one unusual condition. Following the instructions on page 10, Lighting an LED, activating output 3 on port 0, pin 6 all goes as expected. DOut 4 through 7 all respond to the active low, high state by either staying on or off. However, DOut 0 through 3 flash on and off at about 5 / second with the same setup.

I have a pot set up on analog 1 for test that is read and shown with the VB Script Editor with:
 A= Getinput(64)
Print A

I have nothing wired to analog 2 and 3 but when reading them with A=GetInput(65 or 66) they seem to be reading (64). With none of the analogs wired I get a reading of about half (500+-).

This is from the LCD
ModIOtm   SN:0346
H/W:       F   S/W:022F
Id:      6  57600,8,1,N
DAL1H2HpfkGEd – DEF –

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tony

28

VB and the development of wizards / Remember state return

« on: January 12, 2012, 02:37:47 PM »

I’m using a “OEM Button  Pause Preparation Move” in a Feed Hold Sub in a macropump. There are two, Cancel and OK, buttons in the dialog box and I cant seem to find a way to read the return from the call. I read the MachMsg like this:
 Ret =MachMsg("Torch Failed to start","Torch",2) ‘2 = Abort, Retry, Ignore buttons .
Any help on how to read this would be appreciated.


                                        
OEM Button  Pause Preparation Moves                                         285
OEM Button  Pause (remember state)                                           286

Return to paused state   285
Remember paused state   286

Thanks,
Tony

29

Brains Development / Brains User's Guide

« on: December 01, 2011, 10:57:11 AM »

I can't seem to find find the Brains User's Guide that Scott mentioned here. http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16894.0.html

Scots quote:   "You need to set your modbus in brains correctly: Please READ the "Brains User's Guide" under member docs...."

Thanks for any help.

Tony

30

General Mach Discussion / wide screens with Mach

« on: November 27, 2011, 11:21:09 AM »

I've been thinking of replacing my old boxy class screen with a new wide flat screen. Will Mach screens work this this wide screen?

•Screen Size: 19"

•Widescreen: Yes

•Diagonal Size: 18.5"

•Pixel Pitch: 0.3mm

•Display Area: 410x230mm

•Display Colors: 16.7 million

•Display Format: 16:9 Widescreen LCD

•Vertical Refresh Rate: 55-75Hz

•Horizontal Frequency: 30-80kHz

•Interface Type: VGA

•Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768

Thanks,

Tony