Topics

11

Promote and discuss your product / PMDX-412 SmartBOB-MiniUSB announce

« on: June 24, 2016, 07:53:14 PM »

The new PMDX-412 SmartBOB-MiniUSB motion controller for Mach4 is now shipping.



For details see: http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-412

This new controller offers the simplest, lowest cost way to create a Mach4
machine controller.

It provides the controller, pulse engine, breakout board, and plug-in terminal
strips. External breakout boards or terminal strips are not needed.

It can self mount directly to the wall of your control enclosure and includes
a dress panel for the outside of the enclosure.

The I/O available is equivalent to one parallel port and includes 4 axis step
and direction outputs, 4 logic level output signals, and 5 input signals including
the E-Stop function.

The output signals can be used with our PMDX-104 relay board or with
solid state relays.

The inputs accept mechanical switches, NPN sensors, or 5 volt logic signals.

PNP sensors can be used by adding our PMDX-105 board.

VFD spindle inverters can be controlled by adding our PMDX-407 board.

Stay tuned for more SmartBOB products in the future.

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

12

General Mach Discussion / CNC Workshop registration discounted, June 8th in Detroit area.

« on: May 21, 2016, 08:30:07 PM »

The Workshop will run from Wednesday June the 8th until Saturday
the 11th of June at the facilities of Tech Shop in Allen Park, MI.

http://www.thecncworkshop.com/index.html

The cost of registration has been reduced to $100 for the full event.

http://techshop.ws/class_signup.html?a=1&i=168252831

There is an expanded schedule of useful seminars and there are more
vendors coming this year. Also hoping for more hobby (non-vendor)
exhibitors this year.

http://www.thecncworkshop.com/classes.html

Saturday only access is free including an indoor swap meet. There
are no seminars on Saturday, but the vendors will be on hand.

See you there.

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 build 4.2.0.2914 released, release notes file updated

« on: March 07, 2016, 02:07:33 PM »

Mach4 build 4.2.0.2914 was released 02 March 2016. Build 2914 can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/#tabs-2

or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-4.2.0.2914.exe

The release notes have been updated here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20build-release-notes.txt

Our complete archive of previous downloadable Mach4 installer releases is here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

14

Promote and discuss your product / PMDX-424 SmartBOB-IsoUSB now shipping

« on: January 28, 2016, 10:00:32 PM »

The new PMDX-424 SmartBOB-IsoUSB motion controller for Mach4 is now shipping.

For details see: http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-424

This new controller builds on the SmartBOB feature set by adding:

Galvanic electrical isolation of the USB interface to avoid ground loops and
improve noise immunity.

Number of general purpose inputs increased to 8, and they are now
opto-isolated.

There is an on board universal power system that accepts 100 to 240 VAC
mains input power, or the alternate version which accepts 12 to 36 volts
DC power. Both versions can power NPN proximity sensors.

Support added for gantry style machines with 5 motors running 4 axes
including future support for gantry squaring.

There is support the PMDX-407 Spindle Controller, motherboards including
the PMDX-133/PMDX-134 and similar future products, and support for the
PMDX-179 external status panel.

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

15

Mach4 General Discussion / PMDX expansion I/O survey

« on: January 23, 2016, 05:07:54 PM »

PMDX is in the process of designing an I/O expansion board
to work with our SmartBOB series controllers for Mach4. We
would like to know what mix of features makes the most sense.

If we set the number of I/O points as 24, how many should
be inputs and how many should be outputs? These would be
fully conditioned signals, so doing both on the same pin
is not practical cost wise.

We are expecting to have inputs that are more or less universal.
They would work with contact closures, 5 volt logic signals,
and sinking (NPN) or sourcing (PNP) sensors.

The output signals will be more dedicated in nature. The types
under consideration are:

1) Electronic sinking only and rated for 5 VDC to 25 VDC with
   a current rating of 500 milliAmperes.

2) Electronic sourcing only and rated for 5 VDC to 25 VDC with
   a current rating of 250 milliAmperes.

3) Electronic with selectable sinking (NPN) or sourcing (PNP)
   that work with 5 to 25 volts DC with a current rating of
   250 milliAmperes.

4) Relay outputs with normally open contacts rated at 5 amperes.

5) Relay outputs with SPDT contacts rated at 5 amperes.

6) Light duty Solid State Relay outputs rated for 100 mA AC or DC.

7) Medium duty Solid State Relay outputs rated for 2 amperes AC only.

The output styles above are listed more or less in order of increasing
cost to implement. In general, outputs are more expensive than inputs.

How important are signals that are isolated from each other as well
as from the controller? This will require two terminals per signal and
will therefore increase costs. Are signals that are isolated from each
other more important for outputs than for inputs?

Would it be better to keep this I/O expander simple and offer a different one
that is an adapter to connect to Opto22 style module racks to accommodate
more diverse needs?

Comments on other considerations not mentioned above are also welcome.

Your feedback and the reasoning for it will be appreciated.

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

PS - The snow here is NOT delightful. Over 21" and still coming!

16

Promote and discuss your product / New PMDX-424 SmartBOB-IsoUSB is going to Cabin Fever.

« on: January 10, 2016, 10:43:56 PM »

PMDX will be at the Cabin Fever EXPO on January 15, 16, and 17 in
Lebanon, PA. For show details see: http://www.cabinfeverexpo.com/

We will be showing our new mid-range SmartBOB-IsoUSB controller/breakout
board for Mach4. We expect to start selling it in early Febuary.

The long rumored PMDX-426 with Ethernet and lots of other goodies has
not been abandoned. It is just going to take even longer to get the
firmware and plug-in completed. An assembled prototype board will be
on display, but not running.

There will also be a test concept unit for a small pendant for Mach4.
This is a very early prototype and a lot remains to be done before we
decide if it will become a regular product.

Meanwhile, here is a link to the new PMDX-424 on our web page:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-424

It has a lot to offer and represents our next logical step in controllers.

There is galvanic electrical isolation of the USB interface to avoid
ground loops and improve noise immunity.

There are 8 opto-isolated general purpose inputs.

There is an on board universal power system that accepts 100 to 240 VAC
mains input power, or the alternate version which accepts 12 to 36 volts
DC power. Both versions can power NPN proximity sensors.

It has support for gantry style machines with 5 motors running 4 axes
including future support for gantry squaring.

It has one relay and additional logic level I/O for 3 more outputs and
for an encoder input.

There is support the PMDX-407 Spindle Controller, motherboards including
the PMDX-133/PMDX-134 and similar future products, the PMDX-179 external
status panel, and future motherboards for easier connection of input sensors.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the show.

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

17

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: PMDX - Mach4 and SmartBOB sale - follow up

« on: November 16, 2015, 09:44:15 PM »

The PMDX early black November sale has concluded, but we have
evaluated the results and have decided to update our normal
pricing to partially implement the rollbacks offered during the sale.
Our new standard pricing for Mach4 related items is...

MACH4Hobby software license - $188   http://www.pmdx.com/Mach4Hobby

PMDX-411 SmartBOB alone $115   http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-411

PMDX-411 and MACH4 bundle - $298   http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-411

PMDX-422 and MACH4 bundle - $338   http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-422

PMDX-410 and MACH4 bundle - $312   http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-410

Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

18

Mach4 General Discussion / Build 4.2.0.2763 of Mach4 released

« on: October 27, 2015, 04:01:38 PM »

Build 4.2.0.2763 is a large update that touches on many things.

The default configurations and screens are now more user friendly and it is highly recommended that you
create a new custom profile for your machine by copying one of the new default profiles and modifying it.

The new build can be downloaded from the Mach4Support web site, or from here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-4.2.0.2763.exe

The full release notes have been updated here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20build-release-notes.txt

Our complete archive of previous downloadable Mach4 installer releases is here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/

Regards,
Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

19

Mach4 General Discussion / New Mach4 build 2568 and new PMDX SmartBOB plugin released

« on: July 21, 2015, 01:21:31 PM »

Several nice improvements are in this release including:

Keyboard jogging fixed. (Mach4)
G31 probing bug fixed. (Mach4)
G31 probing added (SmartBOB)
Profile export and import function added to make support easier. (Mach4).

Build 2568 of Mach4 has been released. You can read release notes here:

   http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20build-release-notes.txt

You can download Build 2568 (and older builds) here:

   http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/

Build 0.26.117 of the PMDX SmartBOB plugin released. You can read release notes here:

   http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_/ReleaseNotes_Ver_0_29_128.html

You can download this plugin here:

   http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Cheers,
Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

20

Mach4 General Discussion / evolution of support system for Mach software

« on: July 09, 2015, 10:16:20 AM »

I mentioned this in another thread, but felt it deserved its own topic.

Improvements on the Mach software support front may at last be coming on line.

Two new guys have started working for ArtSoft in Maine. One is working to build
up a real support facility. The other will be helping with testing.

The first glimpse of things to come can be seen here:

http://machremote.dyndns.org:8080/

I don't know why the funny URL, but this is a real link from the "Contact Us"
page on the MachSupport.com web site. It is an on line bug and support
ticket tracking system. The Knowledge Base has been seeded with a few
items, but the rest seems virgin at this time.