Messages

321

PoKeys / Re: poblocks question

« on: November 24, 2013, 03:00:28 PM »

Hi, Machiner

A dedicated forum will be prepared for PoBlocks questions, but at the moment, support@poscope.com would be the best way to get help.
Regarding your questions:
- there is no copy-paste support (yet) - we are working on that
- no, currently there is no dedicated signal for signaling the state of the Pulse engine
- PoIL engine can be started from outside using the 'PoILSetCoreState' command in DLL. The state variable can be set to 0 (stopped) or 10 (running).

Regards,
Matevž

322

PoKeys / Re: Not able to get PoKeys56U to work with Gecko G320X

« on: November 20, 2013, 02:12:50 AM »

Do you get any movement in the DROs and PoKeys pulse engine positions?

Please install the latest version of PoKeys firmware and the new Mach3 plugin - it features a status screen that should show you the status of the Pulse engine.

Regards,
Matevž

323

PoKeys / Re: Rotary switch and Pokeys

« on: November 15, 2013, 02:57:40 AM »

Although we try to make PoKeys as customizable as possible in order to satisfy the users' wishes, there are limits. The way you have drawn your switches and connections, you won't find a device on Earth that will be able to detect what you have selected with the rotary switch.

Regarding your pendant - instead of standard Mach3 OEM button mapping and 'Pendant mode', use PoKeys plugin to map all signals to Mach3 free IOs and use your own brains diagram to switch between the functions. There, you will be able to interpret every key as you imagined it.
If you are out of pins, you can extend the number of PoKeys IOs using matrix keyboard.

324

PoKeys / Re: Rotary switch and Pokeys

« on: November 14, 2013, 01:20:13 PM »

The rotary switch you proposed does not have sense. Do you have a part number of the switches? Do these switches include different resistors for each switch?
PoKeys is not (directly) compatible with such rotary switches. If the switches contain internal resistors, then you will need to add an additional resistor to form the voltage divider and connect the output of it to analog inputs of PoKeys board. Analog inputs should then be configured in Mach3 plugin an mapped to an unused DRO. Then, Brain program should be made to check the current value of the analog input and switch between axes.
It is possible, however, past configuring the PoKeys analog inputs in Mach3 plugin, we can not assist you in doing this.

325

PoKeys / Re: Rotary switch and Pokeys

« on: November 14, 2013, 02:43:32 AM »

As we have anwered to your e-mail: Please take a look at the page 20 of the new Pulse engine manual (available as "PoKeys Pulse engine v2 and Mach3 plugin manual (10.11.2013).pdf"). This page describes how to connect a pendant to PoKeys device and how to configure Mach3. To switch between axes and resolution, you have to use the OEM buttons feature of the Mach3 - buttons IDs are displayed in the table in the manual.

You were also referring to this post 'http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,18850.0.html' in your last e-mail. User zafarsalam used no rotary switches there, but had used momentary switches for axis selection.

Rotary switch for axis and resolution step selection is supported by the PoKeys plugin in a form of 'Pendant mode'. It works as follows:
- rotary switch is connected so that the common pin of the switch is connected to GND, while others are connected to PoKeys
- there PoKeys pins, connected to rotary switch, are assigned OEM buttons mappings as it is showed in the table in the aforementioned manual
- in 'Pendant mode' if none of the axis selection AND step selection inputs are not active (if axis is set to 'none' or if a dead-man switch is not pressed), MPG mode is deselected. Otherwise, the correct axis is selected and MPG mode is activated
- with 'Pendant mode' disabled, PoKeys will change between axes and steps when the rotary switches are exercised. It will also not disable the MPG if no axis is selected.

326

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Pulse engine v2 and updated Mach3 plugin

« on: November 11, 2013, 01:12:14 PM »

@machiner: Spindle error is just an input of the spindle driver (digital value) that can be used in Mach3. Unfortunately, if you are referring to spindle index due to threading support, this is not yet supported.

327

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Pulse engine v2 and updated Mach3 plugin

« on: November 11, 2013, 12:07:07 AM »

Hi, Tom

Our website system renamed the .exe to .zip. The downloaded file is an executable.

Regarding PoKeysCNCaddon - this is an addon board for existing PoKeys devices. It connects to PoKeys56U/56E/57E board with 8 wires and is meant to provide a clear connection point for all CNC-based signals (therefore, it is fully galvanically isolated from PoKeys/PC side).

We are sorry for the troubles with the download files.

Regards,
Matevž

328

PoKeys / PoKeys Pulse engine v2 and updated Mach3 plugin

« on: November 10, 2013, 10:34:21 AM »

Pulse engine v2

EDIT: With 3.1.0b update, 4 axes are supported using external pulse generator.

We present an upgraded and improved PoKeys Pulse engine v2. Pulse engine v2
is now automatically enabled on all PoKeys56U and PoKeys56E devices with the
3.1.0 firmware. The biggest improvement is the support for the extension
board for Pulse engine functionality. PoKeysCNCaddon is a galvanically
isolated board that connects to PoKeys using 8 wires and features 8 standard
connections for stepper motors, dedicated connector for all limit and home
switches, relay outputs, open-collector outputs, 0-10 V output and additional
digital inputs.

The new PoKeys plugin for Mach3 improves the PoKeys Pulse engine experience.
PoKeys plugin features minor improvements to the current plugin version in
regards to general IO mapping and the support for the new PoKeys Pulse engine.
Plugin with the new PoKeys Pulse engine now supports 3 axes using integrated
pulse generator, capable of 25 kHz maximum step frequency, and 3 axes using
external pulse generator (PoKeysCNCaddon), capable of 125 kHz maximum step
frequency. The new plugin enables user to select the presence and position
of the limit and home/ref switches - these can be wired directly to
PoKeysCNCaddon or to any free PoKeys pin. Home/ref switches can now be also
combined with limit switches, supporting the machines with only one switch
per axis. The plugin now also features support for soft-limits, limit
overriding, improved homing procedure, straight probing support (G31),
improved MPG and keyboard jogging, etc.

New Mach3 plugin features (overview):
- Support for original Pulse engine outputs (3 axes, 25 kHz step) with fully customizable switch configuration
- PoKeysCNCaddond support (4 axes, 125 kHz step)
- New floating IO and PoKeys Pulse engine status window
- Combined home/ref and limit switches support
- Straight probing support
- Improved homing (home offsets supported) and jogging
- Soft-limit support
- Limit override support
- Performance enhancements
- Stability enhancements
- optional notification of unavailable devices on startup
- UDP connection enabled by default on Pokeys56E and PoKeys57E

Firmware update 3.1.0b is available now, PoKeysCNCaddon will be available in december 2013

PoKeys SW v3.1.0b with NEW PoBlocks, Mach3 plugin (15.11.2013) - http://www.poscope.com/index.php?route=product/product/download&download_id=82&product_id=51
PoKeys Pulse engine v2 and Mach3 plugin manual (15.11.2013) - http://www.poscope.com/index.php?route=product/product/download&download_id=83&product_id=51

329

PoKeys / Re: I cannot connec with mach3

« on: October 30, 2013, 03:25:26 PM »

First, download the latest software and plugin from the poscope.com (3.0.65 is the latest version, you have year old version of software).
Also, before installing the update, make sure that you have .NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5 installed on your computer.

330

PoKeys / Re: Possible glitch in MACH3 plugin, with LCD panel attached.

« on: October 26, 2013, 06:27:32 AM »

Hi, Bo

Is this in the latest available plugin?

Regards,
Matevž