Messages

2081

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 13, 2014, 11:56:00 PM »

GUYS all this IS great, it really is BUT that idea of having a CNC controller is for the CONTROLLER  to provide ALL the normal CNC machine functions without having to learn a new high order programming language and create the needed functions.

This is one of the failings of Linux/EMC . Most new generation or Jobshop operators need/want to cut parts NOT work on the machine all the time trying to get it to work correctly without a programming degree.

My thought was to have MACH4 come out with a good 4 axis workable screen set AND have the screen editor as an optional program for those that choose/need to do it.  That lowers the  cost of MACH4 for the hobby side and creates a second tier profit center for the Screen editor as an option.

LOOK at the other available Controllers on the market. They come with a nice useable screen set and normal CNC functions( and advanced functions) ready to use. Look at commercial controllers. I don;t think you  will see fully customizable screen sets .  THey GIVE you all the CNC functions and useable screens set THEN you learn how to use them and make parts.

You remember making parts right  Yes I know old dodgey codger running loose on the lips. But somebody needed to say it.

I am all for letting them have the time to finish MACH4 up as it should be, A great midrange controller for the times.

NUff said, Good Night, (;-) TP

2082

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 13, 2014, 11:09:17 PM »

Afraid I will have to wait for the easy method where you select a hotkey and a FUNCTION. Presto changeO

(;-) TP

2083

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Bug Reports

« on: May 13, 2014, 12:17:06 AM »

4th axis rotation problem in ABS mode(G90) . A g1 rotates to the nearest point it does NOT follow the gcode

G0 X0 Y0 A0
G90
G1 X10 A359 F50     It moves to X10 and rotates backwards to -1 It should move to X10 and rotate to A359 Via +forward direction not back up to -1.
M30

2084

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 12, 2014, 11:04:26 PM »

OK pages up and working but I do not see a Page (0) where everything is persistant across all pages. I had to create buttons for each page to navigate to other pages.

This is all and fun BUT where is the MOTION (;-) I can't sling chips without motion.

(;-) TP

2085

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 12, 2014, 08:56:58 PM »

OK lets get this straight I have tabs working . Craig gave me /explained thecode and it works.

ARE yall saying there are ALSO pages we can work with or are pages and TABs the same thing. The only problem I find with tabs and using open exit scripts IS they run when Mach4 starts UP and shuts DOWN it runs again. NOT GOOD

(;-) TP

2086

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Feature Request

« on: May 12, 2014, 04:51:40 PM »

HIYA STEVE we also need a tool table exporter so the tool table can be imported into the CAM program .  A simp0le comma delim file would be great and easy to deal with.

HECK while you are at it a tool table import /export feature would be best. Operators do it both ways.

Just a thought,(;-) TP

2087

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 12, 2014, 04:47:17 PM »

Just so it makes more sense here is what I am doing. From inside Mach4 I open an instance of Mill Wizard create the program and exit. You can also do it with Mach4 running Gcode.

2088

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 12, 2014, 04:41:51 PM »

WELL THAT WORKS(;-) not exactly as I planned but it still works.  When t script runs it open the program them imidiatly goes to the next screen BUT it does leave teh program window open so that works.

I would have THOUGHT the program running would hold open the tab and then flinish the script AFTER it closed. AND it may be able to but but not with MY programming skills.

NOW how do I stop Mach4 from running all the TAB scripts when MACH4 opens and CLOSES for that matter  ??

Thanks Craig, (;-) TP

2089

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Feature Request

« on: May 12, 2014, 04:14:16 PM »

NOPE that is really old school where you have to physically edit the tool table every time you load the tool changer

Normally here i have a tool load of 136 tools in the tool crib AND in the tool table  where ALL the tools are defined. There is a place to link the tool # to the SLOT # in the TOOL TABLE.

The Tcall calls the slot number of the tool to be used. OR in the CASE that THAT tool is NOT in a defined tool slot it calls it directly from the tool table (manual TOOL change of a tool NOT in the tool changer)

To reload the tool change for each job is as simple as linking  the proper TOOL# to the correct TOOL SLOT#

 OPEN tool table and assign Slot#s to the tools you require for that job.  LOAD the tools into the proper slots and you are ready to go. ALSO the SLOT# entry is the FIRST in line of the tool table so that you do NOT have to tab al the way into the table just to change the slot#.

All you need to do to the tool table is add a n entry on each line for TOOL SLOT assigment( type in a Slot number) if there is NO slot assigment then Mach4 would KNOW to goto the tool# for the TOOL load.

Also on Program load you can push a button and it LIST all the TOOL# assigned to that program. That is so you can verify what you NEED and what you HAVE loaded are the same.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

(;-) TP

2090

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ScreenSet Question

« on: May 12, 2014, 03:22:53 PM »

Another need is to be able to GOTO another page from inside a tab open script. Say I have a program that runs from the TAB open script. WHen you end the program I would llike it to PUSH control back to the main page instead of it staying on the same TAB page.

Something like the GOTO page# function in MAch3

(;-) TP