Messages

11

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach3 with Smoothstepper, table that don't stop jogging

« on: December 27, 2011, 10:36:46 AM »

Does anyone know if there is a fix for this issue yet. I have experienced this jogging issue on 5 computers with smoothsteppers and 1 without several times. This issue actually has been around for at least a year or so that I know of. I have noticed that if Mach3 has set idle for awhile the first jog may hang and not stop jogging. I have gotten in the habit of jogging Z axis up first as to not break any additional bits. I still forget though.

Jim.

12

Feature Requests / Re: Profile exporting on loader

« on: November 28, 2011, 08:15:03 AM »

Thanks Gerry, I will give that a try. I think this will do what I want.

Jim.

13

Feature Requests / Profile exporting on loader

« on: November 27, 2011, 09:13:18 PM »

Just wonder if there could be some way to easily export all settings, macros, and any other information directly related to a profile. Some sort of file or series of files that can be imported back into Mach if settings are screwed up or moving profile from one PC to another.


thanks, Jim.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sherline Rotary Table NC control

« on: April 13, 2011, 08:26:27 AM »

Hi,

I live in New Zealand and am new to the Forum. I have a Taig CNC mill to which I have just added a Sherline rotary table. It is all hooked up and running fine, set up for A axis operation. My question is; can Mach3 continuously rotate the rotary table?

Thanks in advance,
Ken.

Not sure why you would want to but, if you set up your A axis as a spindle then you could. You would have to turn on spindle with M03 or M04 with a speed command. You may only get 4 or 5 rpm out of it though. This would be hard on the table over time. On the other hand, you could command the A axis for a position in multiples of 360. Say you wanted to rotate twice. The command "G01 A 720 F 500" even with the rollover it should rotate twice around.

Jim.

15

VB and the development of wizards / Re: What reading materials should I buy?

« on: August 14, 2010, 01:33:04 PM »

I know what you mean about jumping in. I do understand the script that I have seen as I know basic programming anyways. I would like to start from scratch with VB. I have looked through the Macro programming manual and found it lacking for someone who is just starting out. Don't get me wrong it is a great reference manual. I need something for the basic information Dim states, math, loops, and other variables. By the way, I usually get ideas while I am learning not the other way around. I tend to apply what information I already know is possible. I want to know those small items that make writing the code easier.
I have learned this way for years and end up comming up with better ways of writing code.
Jim.

16

VB and the development of wizards / What ready materials should I buy?

« on: August 14, 2010, 09:34:42 AM »

I was just wondering what bood I should get to help me learn VB for writing script. I have downloaded the Macro pdf however this is reference material and not for a proressive way of learning the language.

thanks, Jim.

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: M98 Subroutine Directory

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:44:22 PM »

I ran into the same issue. You can however just locate your sub program at the end of your regular program that is to say:

(Main program here)
G0 X0 Y0


M98 O0100

M30

(After M30 put the sub program with program number. By the way they start with the Letter O not zero.)

O0100
(Lines of code to run when sub program called)
M99

This will keep all sub programs and main program together. If you use the same sub program for other programs you will have to add it in or save sub program to the subroutine's directory. If there is another way, I have not found it.
Jim.

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: zero an axis before every move

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:01:23 PM »

Oh, I understand. You will want the C axis moving simultaniously with other axis. In this case then I would use a macro varible. I would have to do some testing but it would go something like:

(At start of program)
#500=0.0

(anywhere in program where you wanted the feed move)
#500=[#500+.05]
G1 X1.0 Y1.0 C#500 F1

Anyways, glad you found your answers.
Jim.

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: zero an axis before every move

« on: August 01, 2010, 05:41:59 PM »

try

Dobutton(13)

Hey guys, I'm working on a rather unique 5 axis dispensing machine and am still quite new to Mach and VB, so I'm having a difficult time with what is probably a simple problem.  I have a dispenser controlled by my C-axis that is moved in and out of the work area via a linear actuator.  This actuator is moved into place with the M-command M802 (switching output 1).  My goal is to have the C axis reset to zero every time the actuator is activated.  This is to simplify the g-code when programming the dispenser;  Rather than accumulating a larger and larger value each time a small amount of fluid is dispensed, we want to start from zero each time.  Can anyone help me with a VB script or any other approach to make my C axis zero each time I activate M802?

My M802 script currently looks like this:

ActivateSignal(output1)
code("G4 P1")

I just need some help on what lines to add to set the C axis to zero!

I would rather keep it simple. You will want to move the C axis incramental. So the g-code would look something like:

G91
C .01 f1.
G90

This way, you could move the actualtor back to the start when you are done. No need to reset zero. The C axis will move the set amount each time not a known postion each time.

Jim.

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newest ver 3.42.12 running without cycle start.

« on: August 01, 2010, 02:17:19 PM »

Thanks Dave, I will be looking for the updated software and install it when it comes out. I quite often input a value into my dro when I am on the edge of my materials. Then I will command the axis to go to it's zero postion. G0X0 as an exaple.

Jim.