Messages

301

VB and the development of wizards / Re: User Label

« on: October 30, 2011, 09:12:58 PM »

The init string runs anytime Mach3 resets such as startup and reset.

You create a Mcode (example M1099) then put in what CB code is required AND include that Mcode in the init string.

Mach will then apply what was in the code to mach if/when it resets.

I take it the lable info is NOT numeric and you cannot use a dro?

(;-) TP

Yes...It is non numeric...unfortunately.

302

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jerky transition between inline arc movements

« on: October 30, 2011, 09:01:52 PM »

It also has something to do with the size of the arc.  I've always seen this on small (like 1/2" diameter or less) arcs.  Where the arc meets a straight line segment, mach hesitates.  I see it all the time cutting small slots.  Make the slot larger and the problem goes away.  To complicate things even further, it doesn't do it all the time.  I can make one slot in Rhino and duplicate it 10 times in Sheetcam.  Some of the slots will hesitate and some won't.

303

VB and the development of wizards / Re: User Label

« on: October 27, 2011, 12:19:52 PM »

Create a macro to fill it in and put the macro in your initialization string?? Not ideal, and maybe won't even work correctly.

That probably won't work.  No way to know what to fill it with as the user can change the label any time.  I could write it to a text file, then open the text file to populate the label. 

How do I use the initialization string?  Is that something that fires when Mach opens?

304

VB and the development of wizards / User Label

« on: October 27, 2011, 09:19:44 AM »

Guys...Is there any way to make a user label persistent?  If I set it's value then close and reopen Mach, the user label is blank.   Thanks

305

VB and the development of wizards / Re: File open dialog

« on: October 24, 2011, 12:43:59 PM »

I use something like this to open files by file name.

Fname = InputBox("What is the New File Name","Grank Grind FILENAME", DFN)

It gives you a popup box to answer the question


THe use the variable "Fname" to open a new file

That's sort of the way I was doing it, except I just used a DRO.  Typing the file name just started getting old.

306

VB and the development of wizards / Re: File open dialog

« on: October 24, 2011, 12:42:32 PM »

Season to taste but beware - there be dragons - it'll work in XP but not much else.

Cool.  Thanks very much.  I had seen this done in VB script but didn't see it anywhere in the Cypress Enable docs.  Didn't think it would work in CE. 

307

VB and the development of wizards / Re: File open dialog

« on: October 24, 2011, 10:59:21 AM »

I need to open a text file and parse it.  I can open the file and manipulate it fine, but in order to open it I have to type the file name in a DRO.  I want to display a file open dialog instead.

308

VB and the development of wizards / File open dialog

« on: October 24, 2011, 12:26:56 AM »

Is there a way to open a file open dialog in a VB script.  I'm not trying to load G-Code, so button 216 won't work.  Just need to select a file, open it and do some things with it in VB.  Typing the full path in a DRO is a drag.

Thanks

309

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 connect 2 Z axis

« on: October 19, 2011, 11:29:56 PM »

Doesn't seen all that different than running a drill or impact marker on a separate Z axis.  If the second Z axis ends up being "A" then just use A instead of Z in CAM when you want to command that axis.

Another way is to put the secondary tool on a slide with an air cylinder and use an output to control the cylinder.  Air on and the tool moves down and below the plasma torch.  Air off and the tool moves up above the torch.  With the secondary tool in the down position, it becomes the active tool.  With the secondary tool in the up position, the torch would be the active tool. Either way, you're using normal Z commands on both.  You'd have to apply an offset to any code intended for the secondary tool, but that can be done in CAM.

310

General Mach Discussion / Re: Having M3 output as pulse

« on: October 19, 2011, 11:20:55 PM »

The two macros are running in different threads which is why you can't stop one from the other.  Try putting it in a while loop that looks at an input or an LED.  For instance, set up a button that turns on an LED.  While the LED is active, run your engraver code.  Put the code in a macro pump.