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31

Mach4 General Discussion / The Reason why Mach4 loses Machine Coordinates at start the Mach4 system

« on: March 30, 2017, 10:19:41 PM »

Hi,
"Smurph" Put me on the right direction with "Mach4 loses Machine Coordinates at start the Mach4 system" and said that the Plugin art startup has ZERO values on the Machine Coordinates.
But hang on I thought I was using the Simulator to try my Lua DRO changes.
So I looked at the Sim Configuration settings and there it was (All ZERO).
The reason that Mach4 Current Positions and Machine Coordinates are not restored at the restart of Mach4 is the Simulator Configuration Settings for Machine Coordinates are set to ZERO.
This Sim is trying to say it is using an encoder startup.

Let’s say we have “Homed” our Mill and have moved the Table and Head to the Current Positions on the DRO’s.
X = -175
Y = -75
Z = -80

Now if you look at the "Machine Coordinates" they will show all ZERO.
Now let’s ZERO the DRO’s on the "Current Position" and you will see that the "Machine Coordinates" now show:
X = 175
Y = 75
Z = -80

Now close down Mach4 and restart.
On Machine Coordinates you get:
X = 0
Y = 0
Z = 0

This is because of the Sim Configuration all having ZERO it is trying to simulate an encoder system.
Sim Configuration under Configure/Plugin
Motor 0 encoder startup value:  0.0000
Motor 1 encoder startup value:  0.0000
Motor 2 encoder startup value:  0.0000
At Mach Start-up uses the values (or the same if you have a Plugin startup) and sets the "Machine Coordinate" DRO’s to ZERO and recalculates the Current Positions DRO’s to compensate.

To show that this theory is correct I did the following:
You Multiple the X= 175 x Motor0 Counts Per Unit (800.6886)
You Multiple the X= 75 x Motor1 Counts Per Unit (800.2562)
You Multiple the X= -80 x Motor2 Counts Per Unit (800.0000)
You use the calculated numbers that are required in the Sim Configuration.
Motor 0 encoder startup value:  140120.5000
Motor 1 encoder startup value:  60019.2200
Motor 2 encoder startup value:  -64000.0000

Close Mach4 and Re-start you will get in the Machine Coordinates the following:
X = 175
Y =75
Z = -80

So this solves the Simulator issue, however the same problem exits with the other Plug in’s if you are using Stepper Motors on your machine.
They may also be set all to ZERO so that causes the problem with "Machine Coordinates" at Mach4 Start-up, mine must be set at ZERO.
Now we need some fix by the Plugin manufactures as not all users have encoded motors.

Regards,
Mauri.

32

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 loses Machine Coordinates every time you start the Mach4 system?

« on: March 29, 2017, 03:41:23 PM »

Hi,
Sequence of events.
Mach4 and Controller are started.
Mill is homed.
DRO's are Zeroed.
Mill is move at the Center of X/Y of Table.
This shows Machine Coordinated Table position exactly correct.
When are shut down Mach4 and Controller are restarted.
Now the Current Position DROs shows the machine position values, but the Machine Coordinated DROs are now Zero requiring to rehome the machine every time?

This code is in the Load Screen Script.
What does it do?
It does not appear to store anything in the machine.ini file or the registry at least the one under Diagnostics.
Should the Machine Coordinates be saved each time Mach4 closes down and then be recalled with the code below at startup showing the Machine Coordinates current position?
Please advise.
Regards,
Mauri.
---------------------------------------------------------------
-- Remember Position function.
---------------------------------------------------------------
function RememberPosition()
    local pos = mc.mcAxisGetMachinePos(inst, 0) -- Get current X (0) Machine Coordinates
    mc.mcProfileWriteString(inst, "RememberPos", "X", string.format (pos)) --Create a register and write the machine coordinates to it
    local pos = mc.mcAxisGetMachinePos(inst, 1) -- Get current Y (1) Machine Coordinates
    mc.mcProfileWriteString(inst, "RememberPos", "Y", string.format (pos)) --Create a register and write the machine coordinates to it
    local pos = mc.mcAxisGetMachinePos(inst, 2) -- Get current Z (2) Machine Coordinates
    mc.mcProfileWriteString(inst, "RememberPos", "Z", string.format (pos)) --Create a register and write the machine coordinates to it
end

---------------------------------------------------------------
-- Return to Position function.
---------------------------------------------------------------
function ReturnToPosition()
    local xval = mc.mcProfileGetString(inst, "RememberPos", "X", "NotFound") -- Get the register Value
    local yval = mc.mcProfileGetString(inst, "RememberPos", "Y", "NotFound") -- Get the register Value
    local zval = mc.mcProfileGetString(inst, "RememberPos", "Z", "NotFound") -- Get the register Value
   
    if(xval == "NotFound")then -- check to see if the register is found
        wx.wxMessageBox('Register xval does not exist.\nYou must remember a postion before you can return to it.'); -- If the register does not exist tell us in a message box
    elseif (yval == "NotFound")then -- check to see if the register is found
        wx.wxMessageBox('Register yval does not exist.\nYou must remember a postion before you can return to it.'); -- If the register does not exist tell us in a message box
    elseif (zval == "NotFound")then -- check to see if the register is found
        wx.wxMessageBox('Register zval does not exist.\nYou must remember a postion before you can return to it.'); -- If the register does not exist tell us in a message box
    else
        mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, "G00 G53 Z0.0000 \n G00 G53 X" .. xval .. "\n G00 G53 Y" .. yval .. "\n G00 G53 Z" .. zval)
    end
end

33

Mach4 General Discussion / Need Help on Lua Calc and Tab setup

« on: March 28, 2017, 03:52:59 PM »

Hi,
I have used the Daz code for the Homing of X/Y/Z Axis with Soft Limits button Off when I home it makes X/Y/Z all Zero. (0/0/0)
When I then move X/Y to where I want to Centre of my part the DRO shows that Position. (175/75/0)
When I Zero the DRO for that Position these values then go to the Machine Coordinates. (175/75/0)
When I load a G-Code for example a Circle say 100mm dia., the Program extents show the following (example):
X Min = 125        X Max = 225
Y Min = 25          Y Max = 125

Now what I would like is another Tab showing “Part Extents”
Minimum            Extents                 Maximum
-50.000                 X                             50.000
-50.000                 Y                              50.000

Using Program Extents and Machine Coordinates I would like the following calculation to display the number above.

Xminpartextents = X Program Extents Min - X Machine Coordinates Min               (-50=125-175)
Xmaxpartextents = X Program Extents Max - X Machine Coordinates Max            ( 50=225-175)
Yminpartextents = X Program Extents Min - X Machine Coordinates Min               (-50=25-75)
Ymaxpartextents = X Program Extents Max - X Machine Coordinates Max            ( 50=125-75)

We machine a number of circular medallions and each side require multiple cuts over a number of days, we therefore need to be sure that it is always in centre position. In the past we have had power failures and the tip of the .1mm cutter broken plus the restart of the Mill the next day.
So this display will quickly show that we are still on centre with the Part without having to do any manual calcuations.
Can anyone please help me with this as my Lua is very weak in this area?

Regards,
Mauri.

34

HiCON Motion Controller / Motor Curver Display Graph on HiCON Config?

« on: March 23, 2017, 02:28:25 PM »

Hi,
I used to be able to show the motor graphs in HiCON COnfig, now it shows nothing (see attachment below)?
Has something changed?
There may be an issue with the Velocity Scale.
I Have tired moving the scale but it I still could not get any graph.
Please advise how I can redisplay the motor graphs again.

Below is the graph I was getting back in 21 Aug 2015.
This HiCON Config had no issue in displaying every motor graph.
It shows a totally different Velocity Scale than the current.

Regards,
Mauri.

35

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 3axis only? Still waiting for 4 Axis.

« on: March 03, 2017, 05:47:45 PM »

Hi,
Mach4 has been sold for around now for 2 years and 3 axis seems to be functional.
Mach4 was also sold as 4/5/6 axis capable software, but to this day, it still cannot display Toolpaths that have any representation of the actual G-Code, how long does it take for a programmer to be able to draw a 3D Circle?
Is there anyone programing at Newfangled solutions?
Regards,
Mauri.

36

Mach4 General Discussion / Displaying specific data from Machine.ini onto Mach4 Screen

« on: February 10, 2017, 04:36:33 PM »

Hi,
Does any one know how to read and display specific data from Machine.ini file onto the Mach4 Screen?
For example read the 100 and G64 from the Machine.ini file.
CV ON
CV 100
[CVFeedrate]
Angle_0=100.000000
CVMode=G64
Regards,
Mauri.

37

Mach4 General Discussion / Material Removal Module for Mach4

« on: February 07, 2017, 02:26:01 PM »

Hi,
Last May it was proposed by the Mach4 team that the "Material Removal Module" for Mach4 was to be available for purchase in July and then August last year, however nothing has happened?
When will it be available for purchase?
Has anyone within Mach4 Support team tested it with 4/5 Axis G-Code and does it cut and display correctly, as Mach4 Toolpath cannot display ant 4/5 Axis correctly at all?
Regards,
Mauri.

38

Mach4 General Discussion / Z Axis controlling cutter surface speed on 4 Axis

« on: January 22, 2017, 05:23:02 PM »

Hi,
Many have enjoyed the ability of Mach3 being able to control the surface speed while cutting a 4 Axis object.
Mach3 very accurately maintained the surface speed (F Speed) of the A Axis (A Axis went gradually slower) as the Z axis move upwards and increased A Axis speed to its maximum allowed as set in the motor settings as the Z Axis lowered towards the centre of the object being cut.
Apart from motor start and motor slowdown the calculated surface speed was accurate to fractions of a second.
So if you had a speed set at F1000, it would maintain that speed from the outside diameter to the centre of the object being cut.

Is there anyone going to replicate this within Mach4?
Regards,
Mauri.

39

Mach4 General Discussion / Question on 4 Axis Toolpath?

« on: January 22, 2017, 04:55:55 PM »

Hi,
For the last 18 months plus, the Mach 4 program has been unable to produce any 4 axis Toolpath that has any resemblance to the actual object, see pics below Venus Bust.
Is there anyone going to fix the issue?
Can anyone advise that Mach 4 program can actual cut a 4 Axis Toolpath?
Regards,
Mauri.

40

Mach4 General Discussion / Question on Toolpath?

« on: January 22, 2017, 04:35:16 PM »

Hi,
Is there a way to only display the Gcode Toolpath as it is being processed (cutting) and not the full Toolpath of the loaded Gcode?
Regards,
Mauri.