Messages

141

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 21, 2009, 01:35:58 PM »

Hi,

The PC has a problem.
Everytime running the driver test - it says "pulsing too fast" then "pulsing too slow" and then the PC hangs.
The PC runs mach "OK" buit motion very lumpy.

It is a 1.6GHZ MSI KM2M -
Fresh install of XP with SP3
512Mb ram
The MOBO drivers have been updated / reinstalled
LAN disabled
USB enabled /disabled
Parallel port tried in every BIOS setting
No virus SW running
Windows update off
Task manager shows 99% idle
Was using onboard graphics and now fitted a Radion 9600 - no change.
Gone through the optimisation.

Any suggestions?......I'll start -

1) bin the MOBO

ATB
Derek.

142

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 20, 2009, 05:12:47 PM »

Hi Hood,

Looks like the PC is throwing a wobbly.
Got the Z axis vipers working and the machine moving and did a bit of tuning but the motion was lumpy as hell.
I ran the driver test and the performance is terrible.... and crashed twice.
Also crashed when exiting the Config table.
So this could be the problem. I'm sure this is the cause of the charge pump not brining in the relay too.

Quickly coppied the xml to another PC, motion now smoooooth ( didn't check the Charge pump relay)

Me brother is going to re-install everything / check latest drivers and we'll give it another go.
Hope this will fix the macro problem too...

ATB
Derek

143

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 20, 2009, 02:43:31 AM »

Hi All,

Thanks for the help....

It is a CNC lathe that myself and brother are upgrading. (Old anilam crusader control)
The brake originally released and came back on in time with the spindle start signal. The spindle motor control was just a contactor / DOL system and now has a VFD so I wanted to get the VFD to apply its share of braking (softer deceleration than applying the brake at full chat) and also as Hood stated prevent the drive from tripping.

I am 'sure' (as I can be) that I am using the correct macro, I can set the delay to say 3000 (3s) and I see a delay in the start, set this to 100 and I see a much shorter delay. Also I deleted all the other profiles to be sure.
Profile I am using is Colchester - C:\Mach3\Macros\Colchester

BOB is a PMDX122 ( I have fitted this type to my BP mill and Orac lathe - good kit, the PMDX)
The spindle start signal from the BOB feeds a Homan Designs DC-06 speed controller. The relay on the DC-06 starts the spindle - this works fine.
An output from the BOB feeds a SSR that operates the brake. The SSR has a LED to show operation, this switches on as I toggle the ports and pins active hi/low but wont be controlled by the macro.

Just a point, might be unrelated, I did have the charge pump working but now I can't get the charge pump relay to operate - "fixed with a chock block for now" (my Estops still work )
Haven't tried this yet  if you open the macro in the editor and press the green arrow does it work?

On a positive note, I got the viper 200 drive powered up on the Z axis, and can talk to the drive to tune the parameters - motor holds position - at least no expensive smoke  
I have not been able to command a move yet, drives are not getting or ignoring the step signal...it was late last night when I tested this and thought best to have a rest and have a fresh go in the morning.
I will get a scope on the OP of the BOB to see if there is a pulse train.

I'm sure when we get to the bottom of this, there will be a need to "issue an idiot alert warning" as its bound to be me that has done something silly

ATB
Derek.

144

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 19, 2009, 02:59:59 PM »

Hi Hood,

I have tried this and still no joy.

I have noticed that if I type M3 into the MDI the macro performs the correct delay but if I click the spindle start icon the delay is ignored.
Either method does not control the OP of the brake.

The brake OP does work if I toggle the ports and pins "active hi active low" selection.
Strange.

Regards
Derek.

145

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 17, 2009, 05:09:57 PM »

Thanks Hood,

I'll give that a try tomorrow.

ATB
Derek

146

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe spindle brake

« on: August 17, 2009, 04:12:39 PM »

Hi
Hood,

I have edited the M3 and M5 macros to:-


ActivateSignal(9)
Sleep(100)
DoSpinCW()

DoSpinStop()
Sleep(100)
DeActivateSignal(9)

The macros work but do not control the brake output.
I see the delays working.

(I have mapped pin 9 to output 9 in ports and pins)
If I toggle the active hi/low, this confirms that the brake is working electrically, but appears the macro does not.

Prob something I have missunderstood.
Any help would be appreciated, I 've been faffing for about 3 hrs now and admit defeat

ATB
Derek

147

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: August 15, 2009, 12:35:23 PM »

Duno what is cooler, the machine or having a wife that is so enthusiastic about the machine !!!!!

Mine just says, "so what" 

Derek

148

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to use the Run From Here option.

« on: August 09, 2009, 01:50:25 PM »

Hi,

I click the set next line button then the run from here....
What is the set next line button for?

Cheers
Derek

149

General Mach Discussion / Orac Lives

« on: July 11, 2009, 12:09:33 PM »

Hi all,

Some progress at last !!

Orac had been dead for about 9 months since I bought it, but recently with a bit of concentrated effort Im making progress....

1) Control Panel built
2) Frame / bench fitted with a 6mm steel top
3) Orac fitted with a new Z motor
4) The spindle motor was repositioned from behind the chuck to a more orthodox loaction of behind the headstock.
5) PC loaded with a clean install of Mach

Rapids are 2,000mm per min which is fast enough for a little machine.
Some work still to do with the position of the keyboard / monitor...this will be mounted at the tailstock end.
I'll fit coolant (main reason for moving tye spindle motor) and use the space under the maching vacated by the old controls for a small tank and pump
AND - get the tool changer working. There is some good info on the forum which will get me started.

I run a quick test, cutting a half sphere on the end of a 25mm dia ali bar - great to see it working at last.


Here is a photo of Orac > http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2382/img6143.jpg
and a photo of the controls >http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/7117/img6144.jpg

ATB
Derek

150

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are We Losing CNC Vendors???

« on: July 03, 2009, 06:28:46 PM »

Woooo hooo1
The controllers arrived today...thats 4 or the little babys I have now, 1 for the Bridgeport, 1 for Colchester lathe, 1 for Orac lathe...+ spare...just in case or the for next project

ATB
Derek