Messages

5281

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3 Manuals and Docs

« on: August 29, 2011, 01:32:59 PM »

HIYA DAVE, Sounds good for the MSM users but what about the rest of the world(;-). There is also a LOT of reference material that would be usefull . IT COULD grow to be a very userfull libaray resource for the DIY CNC World.

Perhaps ArtSoft could compile it all into DVD format as a for sale item for those that want it ?

Are you still in charge of the Mach3 Programmer guide? I found a few more things not in it and also have a suggestion for the Buttons,dros,leds section.

Just a thought(;-) TP

5282

General Mach Discussion / MACH3 Manuals and Docs

« on: August 29, 2011, 11:22:19 AM »

I have noticed that all the MACH documentaion is still scattered about. Would it be helpfull if it was all gathered up and place in ONE spot be it manuals or user docs. That includes all OEM manuals that interface Mach.

It would probably be a DIY INDUSTRY first.

Just a thought, (;-)

5283

General Mach Discussion / Re: Input pin and Zero Plate

« on: August 29, 2011, 11:00:34 AM »

For a newbie the verbage we normally use is NOT intuitive to them .

IE::   IF it is an input device then I should use an input# right ?

Just a thought(;-) TP

5284

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: August 28, 2011, 09:01:23 PM »

Just a thought but it sounds like it could use a little more flywheel weight .  About right for a SprintCar though(;-)

PS: Did you get your Wizard working the way you wanted ?? 


Great Job Steve, (;-) TP

5285

General Mach Discussion / Re: Maintenance Statistics

« on: August 28, 2011, 08:49:44 PM »

IF you look under Downloads  in the Mach tool Box there is the info on the consumables page including the M1030 macro example. The M1030 runs automatically at the M30 call in the Gcode so you do not have to add any special macro call to the gcode.

Remember the CAM has to be able to output the useage data MACH does not have that function built in.

Link:     http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,15197.0.html

Hope that helps, (;-)TP

5286

General Mach Discussion / Re: Maintenance Statistics

« on: August 28, 2011, 06:51:36 PM »

There is but NOT from just Mach3. Your Cam software would have to be able to put that info into the Program file using Gcode #var. Then at the completion of the program the M1030 macro automatically runs so you could update the tool use info to a tool use file. You also have to have a button that allows you to UPDATE the file in case of a tool changeout for that tool#.

I do the same thing with consumables(plasma) and Job info . At each program end it updates the job file and the consumables file.

At months end I then transfer them over to a data base that does the analysis of the data.

The big thing is YOUR CAM has to do the actual work in calculating the useage numbers and then add them to the Gcode through #vars statements ( #601=103) on posting.

SO NOW that you have my interest what exactly are you wanting to track tool wise???

Hope that helps, (;-) TP

5287

General Mach Discussion / Re: Maintenance Statistics

« on: August 28, 2011, 05:21:15 PM »

This is going totally outside the realm of a cnc controller(;-).  I know there is shop software out there to do what you want but i don't know of ANY cnc controllers that do that. I do have a consumables page for a Mach3 plasma table that tracks consumables CO$T per unit BUT that is a whole different thing from what you are wanting.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5288

General Mach Discussion / Re: Adding audible alarm to Mach 3 thru HobbyCNC board...

« on: August 27, 2011, 03:09:20 PM »

Good Job(;-)

(;-) TP

5289

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Button with two functions

« on: August 26, 2011, 03:59:35 PM »

Look at the second part of your example it is using ActivateSignal(output5)  It needs to be DeactivateSignal(output5).

If that does not do it then try using a lower var number such as 600.

(;-) TP

5290

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: USB TO PARALLEL

« on: August 26, 2011, 01:34:10 PM »

MY, Goodness what have we here?? , Another "know all" that knows nothing at all and expects all things from everybody except himself.

Good luck with your adventure, YOU will need it.

(;-) TP