Messages

201

General Mach Discussion / Re: Run From Here hangs on M03

« on: October 19, 2012, 06:30:11 PM »

Only problem with SNL is there is no prep move, so you have to johnny on the spot with the torch button....Or shoot for a spot further back than where you want to start and light the torch when you get close to the start point.  It also appears to sending the torch back to the new start point using a feedrate move, which means it won't move unless the THC is shut off.

I like RFH better.  All you have to do it set t up so it ignores G31 if RFH is active.  RFH makes a prep move which is a rapid, so having the THC on doesn't hold it up.  I'll smoke test it on the machine tomorrow.

202

General Mach Discussion / Run From Here hangs on M03

« on: October 19, 2012, 02:11:30 PM »

Never had much luck with Run From Here, but I thought I give it another shot.  If I stop the program, roll it back to a previous line number and hit Run From Here, it is supposed to prompt for a prep move, then after moving a second cycle start press restarts the program.  This only works if I have the Z axis inhibited.  Other wise when Mach does it's simulation run to determine the prep move, it hangs on M03...which is the code to fire the torch.

The line before that is also an M code that does a G31.  Is mach trying to simulate the G31 inside that M code? There is some code there that tells it not to run the G31 if Z is inhibited. If so, is there a way to tell it to ignore M codes during a RFH simulation run?  I have "Ignore M codes on loading" checked in general config.

Thanks

203

VB and the development of wizards / Type Mismatch

« on: October 18, 2012, 01:06:49 AM »

Can anyone tell me why I'm getting a type mismatch error on the following line of code...

SetOEMDRO(54, 2.250)

54 is the safe Z DRO.  Is there some reason that you can't set this DRO in VB?

Thanks

204

General Mach Discussion / Re: Changing cut order. plasma

« on: October 17, 2012, 09:01:44 AM »

In SheetCAM select the "Edit Start Points Button" then right click the part and select "Quick Cut Sequence".  A small window opens up showing a number.  Now just click on the start points in the order you want them to cut.

If all entities are on one layer, SC will automatically figure the inside contours and do them first.  I've never seen it mess up there.  Like TP though, I also tend to put different contour methods on different layers.  That just gives you more control.

The other thing that can cause the automatic thing to fail is if the outer contour on the part...and there should only be one...is not a closed contour.  If it's not closed, SC will not see it as an outside contour and will not set the order to cut it last.

205

General Mach Discussion / Re: Convert Mill machine to Plasma and back.

« on: October 07, 2012, 06:30:09 PM »

Typically you have three signals to deal with that are related to the plasma.  (1) Divided arc voltage goes to the THC.  Miller does not have a divider board available, so you'd have to make one.  If you don't want to use a THC, you wouldn't even need it.   (2) ArcOK or OK to Move is a relay inside the plasma that closes after arc transfer has occurred.  When Mach3 THC is on, that signal tells Mach that you have a good arc and motion can begin.  You can run without this, but if the plasma does not strike a good arc for some reason, Mach will just start moving anyway and you're part will be ruined.  You can compensate for not using ArcOK to a degree by using a G04 dwell.  (3) Start/Stop is a circuit in the plasma that when closed, starts the torch.  Hook it up to a relay fired by Mach3 to start the torch.

206

General Mach Discussion / Re: Convert Mill machine to Plasma and back.

« on: October 07, 2012, 10:19:59 AM »

What do you have for a plasma?  Is your CNC a mill or a router?  

If it's a mill, you may not be able to hit the speeds you'll need for plasma.  If you do set it up for plasma, you'll only do it once.  Plasma dust, which are tiny metal particles, will get everywhere and you'll spend the next day cleaning the mill.

If it's a router, it's a little easier convert and clean and your feed speeds should be faster.  Even with a router, it's not something you'll want to do all the time.  Having done that before, I wouldn't even run a router table in the same vicinity as a plasma table.  Unless you have a good downdraft or water table, which you probably won't just doing a conversion to a mill, the plasma dust will be almost unmanageable.

Converting the plasma to CNC depends on the plasma.  Any of the reputable manufacturers sell a divider/CNC interface board.  Depending on the plasma, that can be anywhere from $100 to $300....or if you look at a service manual for the plasma you can figure out how to do it without buying their board.  We used to build our own interface for Thermal Dynamics and Hypertherm, but started using their factory boards about a year ago.

Sorry....Just noticed you said your plasma was a Miller Spectrum.  We don't mess with miller.  You'll find that even the techs at miller are largely clueless on setting up their machines for CNC.  They did tell me once that ARC OK, Start/Stop and arc voltage were all available by tapping into the main board.  You would have to make your own divider board.  Miller does have a CNC interface "Box" that either plugs into the plasma or comes with their machine units, but when I asked for availability and pricing on it, they didn't know what I was talking about.

207

General Mach Discussion / Re: Microsteps - can less be more or is more always, well, more?

« on: October 06, 2012, 02:50:20 PM »

Sounds like the hybrid system Automation Technology (Keling) is selling now.  Basically a stepper with encoder feedback.

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema34-closed-loop-stepper-motor-system-hybrid-servo-kit

208

General Mach Discussion / Re: Microsteps - can less be more or is more always, well, more?

« on: October 06, 2012, 09:00:44 AM »

10 microsteps in optimal.  Anything more doesn't gain you anything in terms of resolution.  Here is a good explanation.....

http://www.geckodrive.com/support/step-motor-basics/accuracy-and-resolution.html

209

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unable to activate custom button with external input

« on: September 30, 2012, 10:33:47 AM »

If it's a custom button, you can write a macropump that looks for the input then when activated, runs the button code.  Just copy the button code into the macropump. It wouldn't actually be hitting the button, but rather just running the code behind the button.  The end result would be the same.

A brain would be better, if you can do it.  VB code is a little more flexible than a brain, but brains execute much faster.  Always use a brain if you can.

210

General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd stalling or stuttering, loss of position

« on: September 30, 2012, 10:23:53 AM »

How about the motor/drive power supply?  I've found over the years that when you can achieve high speeds on one axis at a time during testing, but then it fails when the axes move simultaneously, many times it's that the power supply can't provide enough power when all three are running.