Messages

1111

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC plasma setup help :)

« on: May 18, 2015, 07:56:52 PM »

Glad you got it sorted. Those Gemlins can be tough sometimes(;-)

(;-) TP

1112

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC plasma setup help :)

« on: May 18, 2015, 06:55:33 PM »

Are you sure you have it hooked to the correct port and pin ?

IS this a LPT ver of Mach3 or other controller ?

(;-) TP

1113

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC plasma setup help :)

« on: May 18, 2015, 06:27:17 PM »

Double check your Port and Pin settings for THAT switch . When tripped you SHOULD see a change in the Probe LED on the diagnostics page.

(;-) TP

1114

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z probe macro with offset

« on: May 18, 2015, 05:37:20 PM »

Put you master tool ( Probe)  into the spindle. It can be any tool # does not matter.  In the tool table make SURE that that tool(probe) is set to 0.000 (length).

Probe down with the macro to find the TOM (top of material) . The macro should have set the Z to zero. Install the next Tool and jog DOWN and touch off on the material.  The value in Z is the amount of offset from the master. Put that value into the tool table for THAT tool#.  Do all your tools.

NOW when you start a job , load the MasterTool (probe) in the spindle and run the macro to find the TOM.

Now from the Gcode program side load your 1st tool (M6T1) and apply the G43 H1 X1.000  AND the comp move and it will be set to the material top.  From there on out each tool will be comped correctly.

(;-) TP 

1115

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z probe macro with offset

« on: May 18, 2015, 04:53:28 PM »

With tool setting all values HAVE to be referenced to Something, normally a master tool OR the spindle face.  THEN the top of part MUST be touched off with the master tool and Work Z has to be set to ZERO.  The master tool is the reference tool. When you change tools the offset is the difference between the master tool and the current tool.

The master tool can be ANY tool NUMBER but the offset is ZERO. IF you use a tool as the master it must be used for every setup UNLESS you reset all the tools to a different master tool. That would a  reason to use the spindle FACE as the master as it never changes. But it is not always the best option.  Here I have a master STUB tool holder( #2 morse taper) that is ALWAYS the master for this machine. It make it very easy to use compared to the spindle face.

IF you are quill travel limited you would use the longest tool as the master. To prevent sucking up the tool into the quill, not good on a KneeMill.

Now are there OTHER ways to do it sure, Just pick one and stick with it.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

1116

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z probe macro with offset

« on: May 18, 2015, 03:45:35 PM »

The best approach is to MAKE the probe the MASTER tool that everything is reference from. Its offset is always ZERO.   ALL other tools are set as compared to the master tool.

When it is time to setup the Part put the master tool into the Spindle. THEN run the Macro to find the TOM (top of material) it will then auto set the Z to ZERO. Now when you call any other tool the offsets will be correct.

The macro can simply be

Code"G91"
Code"G31 -5.000 F20" 'probe down 5 inches looking for surface
While Ismoving()
Wend
Code"G90"
Code"G00 Z#2002"     'Retract back to contact point
While Ismoving()
Wend
Code"G92 Z0.000"       'Set Z to ZERO
Code"G00 Z1.000"       ' Retract Z back to 1.000


From Gcode

M6 T99   ( change to Tool 99)
G91
G31 Z-5 F20  ( Probe for surface)
G90
G0 Z#2002  ( move back to contact point)
G92 Z0.000  ( set Z to ZERO )
G0 Z1.000   ( retract to Z1.000)

Change tool to 1st tool and start.

(;-) TP

1117

General Mach Discussion / Re: A Axis Brake

« on: May 18, 2015, 03:29:21 PM »

Mach3 does NOT have that function.

(;-) TP

1118

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC plasma setup help :)

« on: May 18, 2015, 03:26:33 PM »

You need to use a POST  that is designed for the purpose of using the TOM (Top Of Material) Function.

Then you need to set up Mach3 to use either the G28.1 function OR the G31 function to run the TOM. The PSOT you use wil depend on the method you use G28.1 or G31.

The Proma SHOULD have instructions.

(;-) TP

(;-) TP

1119

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z probe macro with offset

« on: May 18, 2015, 01:33:19 PM »

The function you turned on is a special internal function and it links all the dros in that section to the tool table. That is NOT what you need to do .  With it active it is doing exactly what it was designed for , Setting tool height via the tool table. 

When you turn OFF the routine the Macro responds as it should . But since you have not invoked the tool offsets you get what you see.

I think IF you run it all from a Gcode program it will work fine.

(;-) TP

1120

General Mach Discussion / Re: A Axis Brake

« on: May 18, 2015, 11:43:53 AM »

The only way you can do it with Mach3 is IF you are only doing indexing the A axis then cut.  You would apply a macro to unlock the brake , wait with dwell THEN move A. Same with stop  Stop motion, call macro to apply brake, wait delay then continue.

Most of that would be controlled from the CAM post or hand coding.




G0 X10 Y10
M100    ( Release Brake, wait 1/2 sec)
A100
code
code
code
A360
M101 (Apply brake, wait 1/2 sec)
G0 X0Y0
etc
etc

(;-) TP