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Messages - thosj

31
You could actually install new like you did, then rename Mach4Hobby to something else, Mach4Hobby_5039, and just copy your entire Mach4Hobby folder over to the new computer. You'd have to get a new license, of course, for the new PC ID. You'd be right where you were, if you were happy with what you had.

32
Check the "pulley" setting, I forget what it's called in Mach4, it's different than Mach3 but has the same effect. It's mentioned in Andy's setup documentation on their site.

Get hold of Andy over on Warp9 and he can even Teamviewer in and check your setup IF he can find time!! He's a pretty busy guy.

33
I'm stumped, hopefully someone else will show up with some ideas. Maybe try the Warp9 forum, Andy is GOOD. He'll get you going!!

But again, if the VFD works in Mach3, don't we think the VFD programming is not the culprit?

34
OK, I don't have a PMDX 107, but a PMDX 104. I have a PMDX 126. I couldn't use the 107, my spindle would stutter and slow or stop randomly and Steve never could figure it out, so I bought a 104 and it's been humming merrily along for years. But, that shouldn't matter.

I have a Hitachi VFD, but I think we've eliminated VFD settings seeing as it works with Mach 3.

I have two differences in my setup.

First page, I have PWM frequency at 300 not 25. This per Andy on the phone long ago.

Last page, Output signals I have Spindle FWD checked and setup for that pin, NOT Spindle On. And I CAN run my spindle forward and reverse from gcode or mdi, or the onscreen buttons!!

Those are the only differences I see other than I don't have the laser stuff setup.

And.........probably don't run Mach4 5000 or up, and probably only use ESS 285 with 4809 (likely, per Andy, to be safe)

See what you can figure out from that tidbit!!

Tom

35
So........if it works in Mach3, I guess that points to the VFD programming being correct. Which in turn points to it must be something in the Mach4/ESS config. You have read through this,

https://warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach4

right? Andy does have an amazing set of documentation over there.

36
If your "system crash" was anything other than a complete hard drive failure, you could just use a new or different computer, install some version of Mach4, doesn't matter what version, then get access to the old hard drive with a USB enclosure or something, and copy the Mach4Hobby folder over to the new computer's hard drive and you're good to go. You'll need to procure a new license for the new hardware, of course, but that's easy.

Or just install the same old version of Mach4 you were using and either copy over the old stuff from the old hard drive or configure the new install as you did. There are many posts here about how to get your old profiles, screensets, plugins, macros, etc, over to a new install.

37
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Update Mach4 with least pain
« on: April 01, 2023, 10:02:34 AM »
I think Chad's on the right track. You're either resetting the Z zero for each tool and then calling a tool length with a G43 Hx in your gcode, or you're not resetting the Z zero. If your gcode has tool length calls, like G43 Hx Zxx, and there is a number in the tool table, AND your reset Z zero in there somewhere, you're doomed!

I think what you need to do is either set tool lengths by gaging the tools first, set them in the tool table and just run the program without having to stop and reset the Z zero, or, like Bill said, run each tool as a separate gcode file and just use a tool number that doesn't have a length in the tool table and set the Z zero WITH the tool before each file.

It ain't Mach4:)

Tom

38
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 quick slaving question please.
« on: January 21, 2023, 03:06:37 PM »
But, you shouldn't have an A axis, just two motors assigned to Y, right? Shouldn't matter the type of motor, long as the motor is wired/setup correctly.

39
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 quick slaving question please.
« on: January 21, 2023, 09:53:46 AM »
I may be the wrong guy to answer as I don't have any slave axes. but I seem to remember that Mach4/ESS does it differently than Mach3. You don't define an A axis and slave the two, you define a slave motor on the same axis.

Look here: https://warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach4#MachAxisMapping

and look for Axis mapping.

40
Personally, I'd want a separate button for Coolant On and Spindle On, for those times you want one or the other but not both, but that's perhaps just me!! For me, there are a lot of times I want the spindle on without the coolant. Really, that's the reason for the buttons, otherwise the gcode turns them on when I really want them both on.

I guess you could always combine both in one button action, too.