Messages

661

General Mach Discussion / Hotkey error

« on: November 20, 2009, 08:02:39 PM »

When I set a button to the number 7 on the keypad, I get an error when that key is pressed.  The error appears on the Mach screen and says "Scripter Compile Error. In:".  Does anyone know what that means or how to get at the script in question to see what's going on?

What ever it is, it is specific to that key, key code 103.  Any function I assign that key to generates the error when the key it pressed.

Thanks

662

General Mach Discussion / Re: creating small circles

« on: November 20, 2009, 04:33:06 PM »

I have no idea how to hand code that circle, but my CAM produces this for a .060 circle with no tool offset.

G1 X-0.0300 Y0.0000 Z0.0000 F120.0
G2 X0.0000 Y0.0300 I0.0300 J0.0000
G2 X0.0300 Y0.0000 I0.0000 J-0.0300
G2 X0.0000 Y-0.0300 I-0.0300 J-0.0000
G2 X-0.0300 Y0.0000 I-0.0000 J0.0300

663

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enter key (13) as hotkey

« on: November 19, 2009, 06:47:09 PM »

That was my initial thought as well.  Just thought I'd confirm it though.

664

General Mach Discussion / Enter key (13) as hotkey

« on: November 19, 2009, 06:36:02 PM »

Can the enter key be used as a hotkey?  It doesn't seem to be working.  I went to screen designer and changed the hotkey for the run button to code 13, enter key, but it doesn't seem to work.  Other keys work fine, just not the enter key.  Is it a system thing that the enter key can not be used as a hot key?  Thanks.

665

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 03:36:03 PM »

with the moschip pci try the 9735 driver. i think that was the one that worked for me.

Guessing you meant 9835.  Moschip didn't have a 9735 available.  The 9835 driver had the same results as the 9805.  I'm thinking it's time to try a Pokeys..or maybe just go to a SmoothStepper.  I read on the SmoothStepper site that compatibility with Mach3 may not be quite there yet.

666

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 01:38:29 PM »

have you tried the output pins on it at all? set an output pin to port2 pin14 and test with a voltmeter  if it is switching on.is the port address correct?

I see 5V on pin 14 all the time.  Interesting thing though.  My torch "on" button is mapped to port 2 pin 1 (output 1).  When I toggle the torch on and off I see 5V and 0V on port 2 pin 1.  If I map that button to pin 2, I see 0V all the time.  Everything else works fine.  The port address is correct because the THC functions are working fine, which means pins 1, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 17 are working properly.  Pins 1 and 17 are outputs.

667

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 12:26:07 PM »

OK...So what I have so far is that the Startech and probably most cards that do not seem to work, automatically set the mode of the card.  That is done by setting bit 5 of the control port, which is base address + 2, to high, or 1.  Does anyone know how to get to base address + 2?  Is this what setting pins 2-9 as input is supposed to do?  Seems like setting bit 5 to high wouldn't be hard if the control register could somehow be accessed.

I'll keep digging, but feel free to share and insight. 

668

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 10:31:40 AM »

try reinstalling a different driver. perhaps the 9815 driver. in mach3 do you have inputs enabled?

I'll try the 9515 driver.  Inputs are enabled.

Actually, the 9815 is just a dual port version of the 9805.

669

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 10:04:54 AM »

The other card I have has a Moschip 9805.  No luck there either.  Is there something you have to do to enable bi-directional mode?

This is the only one I see for $20.  Is this the one that is working for you?  They don't say which chip it uses.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1003991&CatId=512

670

General Mach Discussion / Re: List of suitable PCI parallel ports

« on: November 18, 2009, 02:17:47 AM »

On further investigation, it appears that one of my cards is supposed to support bi-directional mode.  It is a Startech PCI1PECP.  Again, pins 10-13 and 15 work as advertised but I get no input on 2-9 with that feature enabled in ports and pins.  What exactly happens when you check the "use pins 2-9 as input" box?  Does Mach communicate with the card telling it to use those pins as input?  There is nothing in the documentation about putting the card in bi-directional mode.  It just says that it supports it.  The on-board PP can be set via the BIOS.  Doesn't seem to be a software interface for the PCI card.

TIA for any advice.