Messages

81

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Setting zero positions for G30

« on: November 16, 2021, 09:17:07 AM »

I have the following in my RefAllHome script.

--Set G30 # variables, S1000, and turn on Soft Limits
   mc.mcCntlSetPoundVar(inst,5181,11.7)
   mc.mcCntlSetPoundVar(inst,5182,-.5)
   mc.mcCntlSetPoundVar(inst,5183,-.02)
   mc.mcCntlSetPoundVar(inst,5184,2.00)
   mc.mcCntlGcodeExecuteWait(inst, "S1000")
   mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, "G30 # Variables set, S1000 set")
   SetSoftlimits()
   
end

That sets the # variables for G30 to a distance from machine coordinate zero, where ever you want it to be. I'm sure this code could be elsewhere, but the goal is to set the # variables. You might could even set the registers or something, but I chose to code it to be safe!!

Then a Gcode line, G0 G91 G30 X0, goes there.

Strangely, to me, G0 G90 G30 X0 goes to G54 X0 first, or whatever work coordinate you're currently in, then to G30 X0. I learned this the hard way, and for me, at least, I'm usually in G90. I changed my post to post G30's this way, but if you MDI it you gotta remember that.

OH, and you need the P1 G30 # variable, IN the text file Craig referenced, but not stated explicitly as P1. P1 is just my guess and they're way outta the range of the other G30 # variables!!!

I learned all this working with Chad Byrd after he tricked Autodesk into implementing proper G30 a few years ago!!


Tom

82

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 g54 work cordinates trouble help please

« on: November 09, 2021, 06:26:25 PM »

I think Mach4 is more "strict" with Gcode that Mach3 was so if you have a program that ran fine under Mach3 there may be something in there that is "wrong."

Three questions from a guy who doesn't know for sure!!

What's the G50 in line 10? If the answer is "I don't know.", remove it and try.

What is M998?

I've never personally seen the G43 stuff in the same line as an M6. I've always used one line, T1 M6, to change the tool, then a line like G43 H1 Z1. or something. Not sure if they can all be on one line like that.

Just some suggestions really, I don't know:)

Tom

83

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Spindle Range - Pulley

« on: November 04, 2021, 04:30:57 PM »

Yeah, I know and I did that. I was just curious that there is no longer a range setting DRO in the stock screenset. Someone asked about this a month ago and I walked him thru the Range DRO on the Diagnostics tab replete with screenshots, but that was an OLD version of WX4 and he probably thought, what the hell is this guy talking about, there ain't no Range DRO on the diagnostics tab!! I guess not that many folks use this antiquated method any longer!!

Tom

84

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Gage Block DRO

« on: November 02, 2021, 07:03:20 AM »

Hi,

.....I'll try using the current screen set and update it with my mods.

Craig

I've just done this and it was painful!! I was using an OLD version of WX4 modified over YEARS. I've now put all my mods into the current dev build 4759 screenset, so I'm future proof, tee hee!!

I know about using Notepad++ to compare the two screenscript.lua files, but there are other things that are NOT in screenscript.lua that are hard to find. I know, I know, I should have documented all this over the years, but.....!!

Am I missing any way to find all changes in a screenset?

Tom

85

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Shift Z-axis workshift with scale on knee

« on: November 01, 2021, 05:28:10 PM »

I can't visualize what you're trying to do. Do you intend to move the knee to compensate for tool length difference or something else? I can't think of any other reason to move the knee and change the Z work offset.

You could make a screen button with code to read the knee scale position and put the number in the Z work offset, but I'm having trouble seeing why you'd do that. If you're really trying to use the knee to offset TOOL length, you really need to manually move the knee the difference between, say, tool 1 and tool 2, and leave the work offset the same.

I have a knee mill also, but I've CNC'd the knee and use it, along with code and post processor changes, to compensate for tool length.

If your goal is something else, let us know and someone will have a tip or two!!

Tom

86

Mach4 General Discussion / Spindle Range - Pulley

« on: October 30, 2021, 07:40:43 PM »

I've been using an old version of the WX4 screenset, edited. I am now trying to update to the current WX4 screenset. I have everything edited so I'm mostly good. In the old WX4, on the Diagnostics tab, there was a box to set the spindle RANGE. I don't find that in the current WX4. Is it gone? How do most folks select Range? I know I can add a box and code to do it, but how's it done normally without having to code it? I have a BP clone with a pulley head, 8 speeds, 4 are reversed. I have the Ranges setup in Config, just don't know how to call them without editing the screenset and adding a button. I can do that, and will, but......

Tom

87

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: LINE 0: NO SPINDLE SPEED SET IN G95 MODE

« on: October 13, 2021, 06:43:28 PM »

Just for curiosities sake, change S 24000 to S24000.

G95 is Feed per revolution mode. usually used on lathes. You likely aren't using feed per revolution with feeds of F50.0 and F20.0 at 24000 RPM's!!

88

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Spindle Issue - Stopped Working

« on: October 12, 2021, 12:37:00 PM »

A002 to 01, right next to A001 which you must have already changed to get terminal control of speed/frequency. If it's set to 01 already then you have a Mach setup/wiring issue. But, really, is MUST be set to 02 to have control panel control of on/off!!

I think!!

89

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to use USB camera with Mach4

« on: October 07, 2021, 08:15:41 AM »

Line 239 is likely in the COMPLIED Lua script that Mach 4 compiles from all your Lua parts on run.

And, in this line of code:

mc.mcCntlGcodeExecute (inst, "G91 G0 Z0.0 \ n G0 Y1.7 \ n G0 X7 2.0")

What is \n G0 X7 2.0? Is it supposed to be something like Y2.0?

Just poking around!!!

Tom

90

Bargain Basement / Re: Gecko G320X/G320

« on: September 07, 2021, 07:31:25 AM »

Any time. Best is to text me, or just PayPal to the email above and when I get the payment, I'll ship to the PayPal verified address. If you need them shipped to a non PayPal address or something unusual, let me know. You CAN call, too, if you like.