Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Some starting advice for two steppers on one axis

« on: February 26, 2016, 06:12:25 PM »

And Mach software would accommodate? 
That also brings up another topic that has a lot of folks talking.  With new computer motherboards not having a parallel port, I have read that a parallel PS2 card would work.  Any opinions on this?

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Some starting advice for two steppers on one axis

« on: February 26, 2016, 05:49:30 PM »

That's great news!!  And yes, didn't think wiring them on the same axis was the right thing to do..  That's why I ask you experts!

Ok, so that means that my x and y will consume all 4 axis.  I still need a Z axis.
So, any advice on how to daisy chain two 4 axis driver boards through one mach3?  (I say 4 axis as I might as well keep in redundant.  I would only need 1 or 2 of the 4.)

Thanks for all your help so far folks!

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Some starting advice for two steppers on one axis

« on: February 25, 2016, 07:41:32 PM »

Thanks for the reply,, sorry for my delay...
No,, only positioning, X and Y.  No spindle in this setup.

So by "Slaving" the two.. Do you mean simply wiring the two motors into the X axis output, and the two motors into Y axis output?
If so, Will that not split the voltage supply to each?  Or cause problems with current draw? 

Is there another approach, options?

Thanks again for your reply.!
Any and all help is much appreciated here.

Steve.

24

General Mach Discussion / Some starting advice for two steppers on one axis

« on: February 18, 2016, 06:16:21 PM »

Hello all,

I wasn't sure where to post project questions.  If this is the wrong place, please move to the appropriate section.

I have been working with Mach3 and the Hobby CNC driver for many years with great success, but I have a new project that I need a bit of help with.
I need someone to point me in the right direction for controlling two stepper motors on one axis and keeping them in sync.

Project.
I might be using the Geckodriver G540 for this, but am open to suggestions of coarse.  Maybe the tried and true hobby CNC,,??

I am building 2 XY tables that will be separated and I need them to work in sync.

Any advice on what the best way to approach this would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance!

Steve

25

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Custom Coil Winding Machine

« on: January 13, 2015, 08:17:32 PM »

If you go back and look at Brian & Benny's Coil Winder screen then examine how it creates the necessary Gcode it will answer all your questions.

Basically, the spindle (A axis) is set as linear but both Absolute and/or Incremental moves can be used in the traverse (X axis) as appropriate. The feed-rate, whilst winding, will always be a blended rate (between A & X) but, usually, the rotary axis (A) will be the limiting factor as far as maximum winding speed is concerned.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

Ahh,,  I see.  I thought that's the best way to set up the axis, but glad to hear some confirmation.  I can use Brian and Benny's configuration as a baseline and modify to my needs.  This sounds like a good start for my project, Thanks everyone!!!!!

26

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Custom Coil Winding Machine

« on: January 06, 2015, 06:20:33 PM »

Perhaps, as a starting point, check out Brian & Benny’s Coil Winder Screen. http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/screensets/
I think this should provide you with a good basis for your intended project.

(I have recently used a modified version of this screen for, single layer, Guitar string winding http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,28721.0.html still a long way to go but getting there slowly).

Tweakie.

Thanks!
Yes, I checked out their screen, it's well done.  I will need some custom options though as not all my coils are round solenoids.  I'll be making my own control screens for it at some point too.
What I would like to know is the best way to setup the steppers for the spindle and traverse wire guide.
Should the spindle be radial or incremental positioning?  Spindle speed to traverse speed for a given wire dia would be done with federate ratios?

Just curious as to a good start.

27

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Custom Coil Winding Machine

« on: January 04, 2015, 01:45:27 PM »

Hey all,

I am at the startup of building a coil winding machine.  I have been using Mach3 for my lathe for a few years now and have also explored using it for magnetic field map positioning device.

My new machine will wind circular solenoids as well as saddle coils, (coils made to saddle onto an angular portion large dia tube).
I would like some starting advice to steer me in the right direction as to how to set up the steppers.
For the saddle coils I would imagine that the spindle would be a 4th axis setup.  (position angular, move Z axis along center to one end, then position angular for the end wind and move Z axis back, repeat).

For the solenoids, it seems I would set up the spindle as a standard positioning axis "(X)" not a angular one.  That is, one rev = 0.100".  Then calculate the speed and feed of the X and Z axis depending on wire DIA and number of turns/layer.

After I get this up and running I am going to revive my mach screen learning and build a wizard for it. 

Am I on the right track?  Any starting advice would be appreciated.

Thanks all!

28

VB and the development of wizards / Re: VB Coding help

« on: May 02, 2014, 10:13:55 PM »

Thanks for taking the time to write the code for me.
Although, I was hoping for a bit of advice, direction and explanations.  not just the code itself.

Is there a link to a document that explains the terminology of this code and how/why it is used?
I would like to learn the code.



sub tap(byval zstart as double,byval zend as double,byval zinc as double,byval dwell as double,byval speed as double)
dim zpos as double

zpos = zstart

while zpos >= zend
code "g01 z " & zpos & " f " & speed
while IsMoving()
sleep(10)
wend
sleep(dwell)
if zpos = zend then
zpos = zend - 1
elseif zpos > zend then
zpos = zpos - zinc
if zpos <= zend then
zpos = zend
endif
endif
wend

 

 
 
 

29

VB and the development of wizards / VB Coding help

« on: April 02, 2014, 08:42:32 PM »

Hello all,

I have been using mach3 to run my lathe for 5 or 6 years now and love it.  I use the turn wizards provided and find them excellent.

Recently I decided to learn how to develop my own wizards.  I have set up screens in machscreen and all looks good.

I could use a bit of help with the (post GCODE) vb.
I have referenced some of the turn wizard code to learn.  I get the OEM DROs, the various math involved, the initial coding to setup the script, etc.

Where I get stuck is a few things,

1.) The  Pass_Num.  I guess this is "the pass number used for calculating how many passes there would be in an operation?"  I see it as Pass_Num = 1   Then see it in the math coding,,,,  (Xstart - Xend * Pass_Num)    etc.


2.) The "Openteachfile"  Can I type any name I want here, or does a file have to exist somewhere for it to reference?


Example of a simple wizard.

I have user input DROs as
ZSTART - start
ZEND - end
ZINC - increment
ZDwell - dwell time between movements

I want the user to be able to enter the ZSTART, ZEND and an increment to move along the way, (ZINC) along with a dwell time between each movement.

ZSTART = 0
ZEND = 1 meter
ZINC = .1 meter
ZDwell = 5 sec

Z would move from zero to 0.1, dwell for 5 sec, then move to 0.2, dwell, etc...

How would I write this simple code?

Thanks all for any help !!


Steve

 

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3Turn- Wizard running the program when "Post code" is clicked.

« on: May 24, 2009, 06:33:05 AM »

I'll backup the .xml file and also work the controller to see if the problem comes back,,,
Thanks!