Messages

361

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 29, 2016, 09:22:45 AM »

The torch is always mounted exactly the same in teh mount, what changed was the consumables and that gave a different height for each combination that was used.  Those variables were stored in teh tool table so that when A tool # was called you simply used teh variable for that tool to offset teh torch for that particular Material/Cut/consumables combination. I transfered those offsets values into a # var from teh M6 macro so teh TOM was always accurate AND I did not hav eto fool wilth it After it was all setup.

Then IF I cut 3/4 " plate and used a specific combination of consumables teh TOM routine would always run correctly based on Tool# . 3/4 " plate would always be tool#6.   Thin Sheet Goods where I used a finecut setup it was tool#1 ,etc,etc.

You like buttons, I like automation(;-)  I want the machine to work for ME not ME work for it.

BY the way the machine used a Probe setup similar to yours that is why it was important to change teh TOM offset values.

(;-) TP

362

VB and the development of wizards / Re: imagebox

« on: January 28, 2016, 07:06:02 PM »

Other thing I did for plasma cutting was create a picture book of plasma art. Each picture had a barcode embeded. Turn to the page and swipe teh barcode and it loaded the program for you.

With MANY hundreds of files that worked out well. If a customer wanted a certain thing all you had to do was write down teh page number on the order. But that book created another problem . With that many things to pick from it was very hard for them to make decision (;-)

Darned if you do and Darned if you don't, (;-) TP

363

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sign Making with Different Thicknesses of Materials

« on: January 28, 2016, 05:25:39 PM »

 I would put a FLIP DOWN touch probe on Z and let the machine handle it all. Load the board push the button, drink some coffee, remove the board. REPEAT.

I am also sure I could come up with a simple auto loader for the board.

(;-) TP

364

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 28, 2016, 05:22:23 PM »

Try it like this. It should be fine. You need teh Inc/abs switches.


If Response = 1 Then
  Code "G91" 'switch To incremental mode
  Code "G00 X22.00" 'position probe switch
  Code "G90" 'switch To absolute mode
  ActivateSignal(OutPut3) 'triggers the probe cylinder
  Code "G28.1 Z10.000" 'probe the surface
  Code "G92 Z#15045" 'apply the probe switch offset from settings screen DRO
While Ismoving()
Wend
  DeActivateSignal(OutPut3) 'raise the probe
  Sleep(200)
  Code "G91" 'switch To incremental mode
  Code "G00 X-22.00" 'put the axes back To where we came from
  Code "G90" 'switch To absolute mode
  Code "G00 Z0.00"
While Ismoving()
Wend
  Msg = "Change Consumables And Replace Torch" 'Define message.
  Style = 0 + 64 + 0 'Define buttons.'Style = vbokonly + vbinformation + vbDefaultButton1 button
  Response = MsgBox(Msg, Style, Title) 'Display message.

  Code "G00 Z25.00"
  Code "G91" 'switch To incremental mode
  Code "G00 X22.00" 'position probe switch
  Code "G90" 'switch To absolute mode
While Ismoving()
Wend
  ActivateSignal(OutPut3) 'triggers the probe cylinder
  Code "G28.1 Z10.000" 'probe the surface
  Code "G92 Z#15045" 'apply the probe switch offset from settings screen DRO
While Ismoving()
Wend
  DeActivateSignal(OutPut3) 'raise the probe
  Sleep(200)
  Code "G91" 'switch To incremental mode
  Code "G00 X-22.00" 'put the axes back To where we came from
  Code "G90" 'switch To absolute mode
  Code "G00 Z1.00"
While Ismoving()
Wend
  Msg = "Verify Calibration With 1mm Feeler Gauge" 'Define message.
  Response = MsgBox(Msg, Style, Title) 'Display message.

  Code "G00 Z20.00"'raise torch to safe height ready for work
End If

END


GOTA LOVE IT  ""  Functions are king - if something needs doing, why not fit a button to do it Wink ""

BUT I take it another step further " IF it is worth doing make it fully automatic"  forget the button. That is what the tool routine did make it automatic.

(;-) TP

365

VB and the development of wizards / Re: imagebox

« on: January 28, 2016, 04:33:07 PM »

Well actually NO you cannot , BUT yes you can, to a point.  The function Rich pointed out allows you to Pick a Gcode file BASED on a PICTURE of teh part. It is a What you see is what you get type thing. You can veiw all teh picture files one at a time from a directory and IF you select a picture it will load teh Gcode file of that picture ready for you to cut.

Gerry was correct in that Mach3 does not have images boxes on screens. You could create a function that IF you selected a Gcode file it COULD display teh associated PICTURE in a VB picture box on screen BUT it is not permanant in as soon as it looses focus it goes down to teh lower bar as an icon.

(;-) TP

366

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 28, 2016, 04:16:56 PM »

LOng ago when I was jockeying torch setups I used teh Tool Table to store teh different offsets. There are 5 values you can access for each tool and call when needed. In the Gcode I simply called teh ToolChange (M6T2) and in teh M6 start I retreived the different values for that tool and applied them to teh TOM offsets similar to what you want. 

Just a thought, (;-) TP

367

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 28, 2016, 04:13:20 PM »

OH Boy another gameboy button maker (;-)  You do know there is a limit on the number of buttons you can have on a screen it is about 3,452,126 you may be close by now.

Sorry I thought you wanted to run it from Gcode My Bad.

(;-) TP

368

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 28, 2016, 03:10:57 PM »

You can use  Code"M*********x"   To call teh macro BUT I would not use it as you are calling a macro from a macro, NOT always a good idea.

I would use RunScript()  To call teh macro

369

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sign Making with Different Thicknesses of Materials

« on: January 28, 2016, 01:50:59 PM »

I would rather  set 18,000 zeros than plane 18,000 boards (;-)

Just a thought (;-) TP

370

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 28, 2016, 01:48:44 PM »

HIYA Dave, to use teh MsgBox you would run it from a Mcode(macro) it is a CB function.

Could you not just use teh Message Bar and send a message to yourself ?

Gcode example

G0 X0 Y0
(Put what ever message you want here)
G04P0     <---- you need this empty G04 here
M00


Macro example

MsgBox(" Put what ever message you want here")