Messages

321

Mach4 General Discussion / LUA Script error in PLC, PoKeys

« on: March 07, 2017, 05:05:11 PM »

I am trying to get my PoKeys 57E working with my analog FRO pot. I downloaded a LUA script from PoKeys, followed their instructions, and get an error exiting the screen editor after editing the PLC.

Saved downloaded script in C:\Mach4hobby, edited it with script editor only for Pokeys device name and pin number, saved.

Added line to PLC to run the file.

Get error: Syntax error during pre-compliation [string ""]:511: unexpected symbol near char(226)

My first attempt at customizing and trying to get my PoKeys 57 working my buttons. Not a good first attempt, so far!!

I tried to upload screenshots but can't seem to do it.

Ideas?

Tom

322

PoKeys / Re: Pokeys57CNC, Mach4 and fusion probing - does it work?

« on: March 06, 2017, 02:01:07 PM »

Can't answer the first question, nor can I answer the second question to your satisfaction, but just to be smarmy, a PMDX-126 can do the multiple probe type thing and in hardware so you only need one pin for all that

323

Mach4 General Discussion / Spindle Pulley Recall

« on: March 05, 2017, 06:18:12 PM »

I saw it somewhere on here but can't find it now.

I want Mach4 to remember the selected Spindle Range (Pulley for us Mach3 types!) and have Mach4 startup the next time with the same range selected.

DaztheGas explained this somewhere but where.... I'm sure as soon as I post this I'll remember what I used to search and find the durn thing!

Thanks!

Tom

324

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Single block mode

« on: March 03, 2017, 10:54:07 AM »

I read the post above mine or I wouldn't have known I needed to edit the button. 

I'll STFU as I really don't know what I'm talking about. 

325

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Single block mode

« on: March 03, 2017, 09:51:04 AM »

I'm new to Mach4, I mean really new (but long time Mach3 user where single block works "as expected").  I haven't run a gcode program in Mach4 yet, but I don't get why the "state of the cycle start button" in Single Block needs to be edited by US. Why is that not the normal "state" like it should be? Turn off Single Block after EVERY block, turn it back on, hit cycle start? For every block? Come on!!

I also come from "real controllers" and I used single block and a Feed Rate POT all the time working with programs written by someone else and not wanting to smash up a 1.2 million dollar machine with an errant tool length call!! If the Z is moving in, or down on a vertical, and the Distance to Go says 15" and I'm 4" from the part, I pretty much know the tool length is wrong or the Z Offset is wrong, BEFORE I hit the part with a 50HP spindle running, and at 200 inches a minute. I know Brian said he doesn't use Single Block, but no reason it shouldn't work correctly after 4 years!!! Lots has been said about Mach 4 being "industry standard" and from 40 years of running CNC machines, single block has been "industry standard." Turn it on, hit cycle start, get one block, hit cycle start again, get the next block.

326

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Hobby/Industrial and Profiles

« on: February 28, 2017, 07:56:49 AM »

I think your Hobby profile should run fine in Industrial. No harm in trying.

If you had custom macros or screen sets you will need to take extra
steps to move those over.

Thanks, about what I figured.

Steve S., you say if I had custom macros or screen sets I would need to take extra steps to move those over. Do you mean from Hobby to Industrial or do you mean Mach3 to Mach4. I suspect Hobby to Industrial. Fortunately I just installed and setup Hobby on Sunday, so nothing fancy there. I was one of the original Mach4 purchasers with the option to get Industrial so figured why not. But I'd like to know what might be "extra steps" in moving custom macros or screen sets from Hobby to Industrial. Can's I just copy the *.set file over or the macro?

I guess the real question should probably be, seeing as I have both, which should I stick with. I'm not going to run my basement machine for profit, but figured if I could get the Industrial version, why not, but perhaps flawed logic. What are the advantages/drawbacks of running industrial? One that dawns on me is the licensing restriction. If I spend a year getting Industrial all tweaked up and then lose a computer, all my effort is lost? If I could just move screensets, macros, profiles over to a hobby licensed install, not too big a deal.

I've read the doc on comparison, don't need tool life, don't need screw mapping, might use Professional Screen Designer, don't need Macro B, probably don't need Gcode editor included, probably won't use Fanuc Type C cutter comp long as I got used to NOT having it in Mach3. So I really might be better to just use Hobby and do all my stuff there and not have to worry.

Opinions?

327

Mach4 General Discussion / Hobby/Industrial and Profiles

« on: February 27, 2017, 07:00:03 PM »

So I am new to Mach4, long time Mach3 user. I have a hobby license and have my mill all setup and working with an ESS. I also have an industrial license. I'd like to use the profile from the hobby version and not have to reset everything up, same machine, same ESS. Can I do that? If so, is it as simple as copying the profile or do I need to package it in hobby and restore it in industrial? Or do I have to suck it up and start from scratch?

While I have your attention!

Are *.m1s macro files usable in Mach4 or do I need to start from scratch with those, in Lua?

I have an old PoKeys 55. In Mach3 I wrote brains to access the buttons and SRO/FRO pots wired to the PoKeys 55. No brains in Mach4, so does the Pokeys Plugin just let you use the PoKeys as Inputs in Mach4 or what? I haven't tried yet, working up my courage. Just thought I'd ask.

Feeling pretty dumb again, it's a lot different here!

328

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys57CNC vs SmoothStepper

« on: October 21, 2016, 06:55:02 PM »

Can you guys tell me exactly what a Pokeys57CNC is?

I currently have a PMDX-126. an Ethernet Smoothstepper, and a Pokeys 55 (?). What does the Pokeys57CNC actually "replace", the Smoothstepper, or the Smoothstepper and the old Pokeys55, or the Smoothstepper, the old Pokeys55, AND the PMDX-126? I can't seem to figure it out reading the docs!!

I'm wanting to rebuild my control box, losing Gecko G320/320X drives for CNCDrive DG4S-16035 drives, cleaning up wiring that's "evolved" over the years, etc. So this is the opportunity to "upgrade" anything else that wants upgrading. Can't figure out what a PoKeys57CNC IS.

329

Newfangled Mill Wizard / Re: Install issue

« on: April 12, 2013, 10:33:33 PM »

OK, I moved my My Documents back to the Windows default location, ran the installer as administrator, and now it works. If it isn't installing the user files in My Documents, why do I get an error starting the program about it can't write to My Documents?

It appears the user files are installed in C:\Users\myusername\Wizards, which I don't like much, but us usable. I'd prefer my user files in My Documents\Wizards.

And like I said, the installer needs to throw up a message if not run as administrator if you insist on the idea that it MUST be run as administrator.

Tom

330

Newfangled Mill Wizard / Re: Install issue

« on: April 12, 2013, 10:09:25 PM »

Ron,

This really needs to be looked at. I was the guy in the red sweatshirt at the seminar at Cabin Fever today. Like I said there, right clicking the installer and choosing Run as Administrator is NOT, IMHO, the usual way to install a Windows Program. At the very least, simply double clicking the installer needs to throw up a warning box stating that it must be run as administrator. But in reality, it needs to store it's user files somewhere more common, like My Documents.

As it stands right now I can't figure out how to run the Wizard on this Win 7 64 laptop. I'm currently installed, but trying to run the program, I get an error that it can't find it's files in My Documents, where it's NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PUTTING THEM in the first place. I have MOVED the My Documents folder to the D:\ drive with Windows usual, documented, method of doing so, so Windows knows where it is. But the installer is putting them somewhere then apparently looking for them in My Documents, and not Windows idea of where My Documents is. I tried running the Wizard as administrator and get the same error. I'll uninstall, and try a couple different ways, but right now, I'm stumped.

Tom