Messages

11

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 03, 2009, 04:33:51 PM »

OK  The "G04 in milliseconds" setting in General Config is turned on  (see first image)

Mach-3 Version R3.042.029 is installed  (second image)

Smooth Stepper USB Driver 2.04.06  (third image)

Smooth Stepper Plugin  Ver 0.015ogb Config  (fourth image)

Program execution still turns "Dwell" on and won't clear without clicking  [Cycle Start] as describer earlier.

12

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 03, 2009, 10:26:01 AM »

Something to add...

The problem is not limited to user-written macros.
Other files will stop executing at the end of G0 and G1 lines.
In DIAGS, I see the "Dwell" is turning on, but not turning off unti [Cycle Start] is clicked.

13

SmoothStepper USB / G-Code execution halts

« on: September 03, 2009, 09:36:16 AM »

I have just installed a Smooth Stepper interface. All seems to be working, but my code hangs after it encounters a user-written macro.  It used to work when connected to the PP. 

I added a button & LED to toggle the Tailstock extend/retract function...  (see image 1)

I wrote a VB macro to toggle LED on/off...  (see image 2)

I wrote 2 macros to operate the tailstock on Output(4) so I could manage the tailstock in G-Code
(see image 3)
(see image 4)

Now, take a look at the following code...

N10    %(DIAMETER Mode)
N20    %(Complete profile for KEGGOBLQ in G-Code)
N30    T0101                           %(Set Tool #1)
N40           M801          %(Be sure Tailstock is retracted)
...
...      Note Line N40 executes just fine and program execution continues on. If the tailstock is extended, it will retract.
...
N50    G0 Z-69.4   X40.0           %(Go to 'Home')
N60    M3                                  %(Spindle On)
N70    M800                            %(extend Tailstock)
...
...     The line N70 executes and the tailstock extends
...     At this point the program executions halts and the
...     only way to continue on, is to click the [Cycle Start] button
N80     G04    P1000       %(Dwell 1000 milliseconds)
...
...     From here, the bulk of the profile runs just fine
...     Then when the program reaches line N710  (see below)
...     the M801 executes and the tailstock retracts
...     At this point program execution stops and  the
...     only way to continue on, is to click the [Cycle Start] button just like line N70
...
N690    G0  Z-68.48 X17.44
N700    G0  Z-69.4  X40.0
N710    M801                                  
N720    G04 P1000           %(Dwell 1000 milliseconds)
N730    M5                      %(Spindle Stop)
N740    M30                    %(Reset program)

Although this is sort of 'livable', it is a nusiance to have to 'continue' program execution twice for each run.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 17, 2009, 05:15:24 PM »

I got it working!!!

All I did was to change my Slo-Syn spepper controller to half-Step... go into Mach-3 and under motor tuning change the "Units per"  from 50 to 100.
I even took the max motor speeds to to 400  (There are some G0s in the code, so max speed IS executed)

I ran my most problematic profile over and over and EVERY TIME both hand-wheels returned to zero as expected.
I even turned the graphic display for the toolpath ON, and the steppers never skipped a step.

With twice as many pulses, each stepping half the distance, the motors sound better than they ever have.  They just "purr".
I bet my curves are cutting at higher resolution.  Less sanding afterwords... NICE!

My sincere thanks for everybody's help.  You guys are the best!

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 16, 2009, 08:21:45 AM »

I'll be sure to buy my wife a gift today!

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 15, 2009, 12:20:49 PM »

I'm, sorry, but I don't know what you mean... "double iso"  (duh)

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 15, 2009, 11:44:28 AM »

OK,

The drive almost HAS to be the  "F" Drive. It is the only drive which offers full-step. The lowest resolution for the "M" drive is half-step.

This brings up another question...  Is there any advantage in setting this drive to half-step? I would think all I need to do with Mach-3, would then be to change my "Steps/mm" from 50 to 100.  No other changes should be necessary.  Hell, it might even eliminate my missing steps?  It certainly couldn't hurt...

What thinkts thou?

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 15, 2009, 11:04:25 AM »

OK,

I have a db-25,  screw terminal board... no LEDs, no isolators.   I could easily transfer the four stepper lines coming from the drive to this board.  I can do this Monday.  My parallel cable can then plug into this terminal board  I just thought using a simple terminal board without any isolation was an absolute "no-no".

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 15, 2009, 08:21:44 AM »

My boss thinks he can borrow a scope from a friend of his and if so, it will be in the shop Monday or Tuesday.

If the scope is unavailable, I will all have to wait until the one I purchased for $55.00 arrives  (assuming it works)

When this lathe ran under DOS (and the BASIC programs were outputting the pulse train directly at the correct speed), the stepper motors followed faithfully. If the conputer had to be replaced, then the timing loops that controlled the rate of data flow, had to be adjusted to deal with the new processor speed. This has always been sort of a nusiance, but it did work.

As soon as I can get some wave forms, I will get the display synched and try to shoot some images using slow shutter speed.
I'll submit the images here, if they don't make sense to me.


From what all I have read so far, this seems to me to be my best next step...

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Really need help

« on: August 14, 2009, 06:54:39 PM »

Tom,
What are the steps / unit that your are using for the pc that you will ultimately use for MACH?
Can you show us how they were calculated?

OK...
The lead screws are metric... 4mm/turn
The motors are 200 pulses/revolution.
The drives are set for full-step.
Therefore, 200 pulses per revolution = 4mm, and 1mm=50 pulses
I'm using metric measure in Mach-3 and the Diamener Mode.
The diameters I am turning match exaclty with the G-Code, once I have accurately set the "Zero" point for the X-Axis.
I'm using Sherline 1/2 pulse mode.

I will post screen-shots of my motor setups