Messages

21

*****VIDEOS***** / 4'X8' Plasma Table

« on: January 30, 2009, 05:05:49 PM »

Click the pic:

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Modifying my M3 macro for arc initiate - Plasma Application.

« on: January 30, 2009, 04:47:43 PM »

try
SystemWaitFor(INPUT1) ' Torch Input ready to go

That sounds about right, thanks.

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Application, Mach3 torch height control.

« on: January 30, 2009, 10:17:01 AM »

Hmm. Perhaps your Z axis would be better off controlled by the torch voltage system and X and Y controlled by Mach. Does mach accept jog inputs while running Gcode? I'm thinking you could emulate the pulses of a MPG easily in response to the torch signalling too high or too low.

Or just run the Z independently of the computer and just let it follow the work, using a "coolant" M-code to bring it to the workpiece and back, overriding the height control. Knowing more about your height control system would be a plus.

It was suggested to run an independant height control system to control small adjustments to height, i could just use a PLC but id prefer to have everything integrated through 1 piece of software to avoid later complications etc. Seems more simple.

24

General Mach Discussion / Re: Modifying my M3 macro for arc initiate - Plasma Application.

« on: January 30, 2009, 10:14:00 AM »

Hi Halkintool,  I am just trying to cut my teeth on this Mach3 and and a plasma machine.  I was puzzling over the same problem when your post answered me.  This code worked for me:
 
While IsActive (input1)
 Wend
 
where input1 is my arc ok signal.

Odd really,  my arc ok is active high and I was expecting "While not IsActive (input1)" to be the correct solution...

What do your first two lines accomplish if I may ask?

The next problem I have is when you stop a cut, how do you convince mach to reissue a M3 when you re-start?  And distinguish between rapidmoves which don't require a m3 and regular moves which do require a m3?

The first 2 lines lower the torch head. Output 3 is to control a pneumatic cylinder. The pause is just to make sure its come down before the torch comes on, the pause is only .5sec now though.

Im actually cutting parts now, the problem is the only control I have over movement vs torch being on or not, is the spin up delay which is 1 second. However, the time it actually takes for the torch to come on varies, so sometimes it comes on right away and sits in 1 spot for a second, other times motion can initiate before the torch has come on. So it will be very beneficial to use the "arc initiated" function.

Hood, where would you use the "do loop function"?

25

General Mach Discussion / Modifying my M3 macro for arc initiate - Plasma Application.

« on: January 28, 2009, 12:01:46 PM »

My M3 macro currently looks like this:

ActivateSignal(Output3)
Code "G4 P5"
While IsMoving
Wend
DoSpinCW()

However, after "DoSpinCW" i want the machine to wait til it gets an input (arc initiated) before it starts moving. How do I write that?

26

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Using dspMC and PPort together?

« on: January 28, 2009, 10:31:33 AM »

Is it possible to use the dspMC and Printer Port at the same time? As far as interfacing e-stops, indicator lights and MPG's it would be much easier for me to use the printer port inside my control head, rather than run 15ft cables to my electrical cabinet.  Is it possible to modify the dspMC plugin to run both?

If im wrong and you already can do that, what port number would the PPort be?

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using a mouse's scroll button as MPG?

« on: January 28, 2009, 10:29:29 AM »

Yesterday i hooked up an old rotary encoder to my PC and tried it as an MPG and it worked fine, however, in my situation where im using a control head PC, its much easier to utilize the USB vs running wires all the way down to my electrical cabinet where i have my motion controller and breakout boards. It just seems like more work especially when i have a couple USB ports on the side of my control head.

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: dspMotion controller AND PPort I/O?

« on: January 27, 2009, 05:56:12 PM »

So probably something i couldnt do 

29

General Mach Discussion / dspMotion controller AND PPort I/O?

« on: January 27, 2009, 04:19:00 PM »

Im running a dspMC controller for motion and machine I/O. As far as interfacing, it would be convenient to use the Printer port on the control head for human interface ie, mpg.

If the dsp port is port 1, can i still use the printer port as port 2? or is it not possible to use both?

30

Mach Screens / Re: DRO only screen...

« on: January 27, 2009, 04:11:56 PM »

 Thanks, figured it out pretty quick.