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Messages - rrc1962

191
General Mach Discussion / Re: Is Mach For Me?
« on: November 27, 2012, 10:05:21 PM »
As much as I love Mach3, if it's working I'd leave it alone.  If the software is running on Hyperthem's controller, there may be a lot more to it than just installing Mach3.  Mach uses a parallel port interface (unless you use an external motion controller).  That is usually not found on industrial controllers.  Most of them use Ethernet or fiber optics for PC to motion controller communication.  Fiber optics is pretty common on older machines.  Ethernet on newer ones.

192
General Mach Discussion / Re: Fluorescent Lights and Interference
« on: November 27, 2012, 09:19:55 AM »
If it straightens out when the lights are off, I'd say the ballasts in the lights are causing interference.  They WILL do that.  If that's happening, proper grounding with shielded cable should fix it.


193
General Mach Discussion / Re: Pausing
« on: November 27, 2012, 09:11:07 AM »
If you have called a G68 to rotate the coordinates, Feedhold/Cycle Start doesn't work properly.  Reverse Run and Run From Here also don't work as they should.  You can cancel a G68 by calling a G69.

Setting an offset by calling a G52 may also cause issues, but I've only tested with G68.

194
General Mach Discussion / Re: Pausing
« on: November 24, 2012, 03:19:12 PM »
Do you have the toolpath rotated or offset?  I know when you rotate the coordinate system, cycle start after a feedhold does odd things.  I'm not sure if the same is true if an offset is applied.  I haven't tried it.   

195
General Mach Discussion / Re: What would cause my limit switches to trip?
« on: November 18, 2012, 03:38:19 PM »
The TIG produces a lot of HF noise.  Your issue is probably not in the machine but in the PC.  Sometimes grounding the chassis of the PC to your star ground can help.  Desktop PC's were never designed to be used in harsh, electrically noisy environments.  If the parallel cable connecting the PC to the controller is picking up noise, adding caps will not help.  It's a good and inexpensive thing to try, but don't be surprised if the problem is still there.   Dealing with HF noise is like chasing a ghost.

196
General Mach Discussion / Re: Ethernet and computer question
« on: November 18, 2012, 03:22:52 PM »
I think the SmoothStepper requires a dedicated port.  I think I remember reading something about that.  I'm in the process of setting up an industrial PC on a ESS.  I chose a PC with two Ethernet ports.  It's a single board PC designed for industrial use.  With Win7 embedded, it was around $1300.

197
General Mach Discussion / Re: China 3020 Machine Losing Axis position
« on: October 23, 2012, 09:14:45 AM »

More than one person has had to replace the blue box with a Gecko 540.

Hal

I'll second this.  Mechanically, these Chinese machines are OK, but the electronics are junk.  If the motors are under 3.5A, put a G540 on it.  It's the best $300 you'll spend.

198
Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Input Multiplexing
« on: October 22, 2012, 11:34:03 PM »
Pokeys is USB keyboard emulator and works pretty good.  I think the best option for the money is probably Peter Homann's MODIO board.  It uses modbus, which is a bit more stable than USB.  If you want to spend a little more, go with a PLC with a modbus connection to the PC.  We use PLC's.

199
Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Input Multiplexing
« on: October 22, 2012, 10:44:21 PM »
If you limit yourself to available OEM button codes, you can do it with a brain or macropump.  It's basically a series of if statements....

if I/P 1 then dooembbutton(123)
if I/P 2 then dooembutton(456)
if I/P 3 and I/P 4 then dooembutton(789)

I think if you want to jog, you would have to have a multiplexing BOB with a matching plugin.

200
General Mach Discussion / Re: Run From Here hangs on M03
« on: October 19, 2012, 10:22:26 PM »
I would post the code, but it's down at the shop.  Just put the G31 code in a macro and use an if statement to ignore it if RFH is active.  I made a custom button to activate RFH and at the same time turn on an LED.  In the G31 macro, look at the led.  If it's lit, ignore the G31.

When you hit RFH, you are prompted to hit cycle start to make the prep move and the prep move dialog opens.  After the prep move it pauses again.  You can restart the torch here and hit cycle start.  I've been hitting cycle start first then lighting the torch.  If you hit cycle start the machine won't move until it sees a good arc anyway.  If you have to go back a ways before your desired start point and light the torch on the fly, then you have to shut off the THC.  The THC sort of complicates this whole RFH process.  With a mill you can just retrace an existing cut with the tool running.