Messages

5481

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 02:41:22 PM »

HIYA DAVE, I do have a question(;-)

"2) ask that those stating something as a fact to please consider not stating personal experiences as a proven fact. "

IF you do NOT use pesonal experience to "TEST" and "PROVE" an event FIRST HAND under controlled conditions how does one learn to seperate fact from urban legend ?

(;-) TP

5482

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 02:14:06 PM »

HIya DAVE Read again I said from all my experience and testing in the real world. I also said that it can be FAIRLY realiable IF you load up the Macro code with enough controls but very rarely is THAT method useful as it slows it to a crawl in the real world.

 DOn't THINK I am the only one to see this as a problem I can assure you I'm not.

Bait you up NAW, but I am looking forward to you showing US the proper programming to get it right(;-) You were going to do that correct?

Now that is a proper baiting if I ever did one(;-).

No flaming intended or perceived here, Just an open discussion, you are the Gameboy I am just the old chip slinger.

(;-) TP

5483

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 12:28:30 PM »

HIYA Tweaks, I have not seen that one(;-)

(;-) TP

5484

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 12:25:22 PM »

NOW back to the original thread (;-)

Please lets us know the results of the G31 testing as used in the TOM routine used for plasma and run from the M3 macro.

(;-) TP

5485

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 12:14:35 PM »

It seems it is all in the timeing and how busy mach really is at teh time of the call AND how fast the Computer is CPU wise

I have seen this code work perfectly on one computer BUT on another (same version of mach) it require a sleep(10) in the loop to keep it stable

code "F30"
code "G31 Z-1"
While ismoving
Wend
code "G92 Z-" & offset
While ismoving
Wend
code "G00 Z" & pierceHeight
While ismoving
Wend

DRO and process updates are another issue you have to get the timeing just right or it can either work right, take forever or just blow right by a DRO  or Var update.

Any moreThe only way I will use macros and motion code(other than Simple 1 function moves like ZTOM or simple probe routine like center of circle or Auto G68 of the part to fit the table,etc  is IF I use the Macro to program a parameteric Gcode process or SUB and then run the Function  totally in Gcode mode, such as the Probing arrays. Then you are still limited of what you can do due to the lack of conditional Gcode.

BUT it is what it is AND still usefull but it does have it limitations,

End of Story, (;-) TP

5486

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 11:05:52 AM »

I'll give you another example. In plasma cutting the machine may pierce hundreds of time per job. That requires a M3 to fire the torch. MACH is still not reliable to fire the torch 100% of the job. It WILL ignore the M3 from time to time. On a job with several 100 pierces it may miss 3-4 times and fail to fire the torch.

In running Gcode and having macros in the code it ocasionally WILL fail to run a macro IF the machine is loaded up with heavy Gcode and lots of 3-4 axis moves. AND even wait 10 lines of Gcode down the road THEN run the macro(;-) THAT was an exciting thing to watch. Scary actually.

In the early days I ran Mach3 12/7 for over a year to try and PROVE it for commercial use.  We have countless hours testing and retesting and then blind testing. REAL WORLD testing not just sitting in front of the computer watching it similate something at a snails pace.

So am I convinced of what yall  are saying about how dependable macros are running motion code ?  NOT TODAY(;-)

So is Mach3 still a great DEAL, ABSOLUTLY Yes.

(;-) TP

5487

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 10:53:14 AM »

Gerry I am talking repeating a motion command from a MACRO repeatedly and reliably.  Point clouds have nothing to do with the problem.

(;-)TP

5488

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 10:45:11 AM »

OK lets expand this a bit to investigate it a little further(;-)

Do you find anywhere a 3d probing function that works all the time and does not run in Gcode?  Not even Arts plugin will do that.

When Stirling developed his Crawler surface/profile routine could he do it in macro CB and have it work dependably ?

WhenI worked with the probing arrays I first tried the MACRO version, Nope it could not be done reliably in CB. I had to move to using Gcode Subroutines and stay in Gcode. AND without conditonal support that had to be done the LONG/HARD way. Now the arrays can run for millions of probe cycles without fail or error. The macro versions could not run 60 secs without getting lost.

NOW IF you work with macros and CAN load them up with wait states and while do loops and semaphores to help control the threads THEN it can be reliable BUT the motion will be as slow as a SNAIL on a winter day. GO stop wait

It is one thing to do a simple find the center of a circle or edge of material or tool offset. no big deal if that takes 1 minute to run reliably. but you cannot have motion code that pokes along at a snails pace or runs Run Stop Wait.  you will never get anything done.

For an example of how it is suppose to work take a look at CUBLOCS PLC control. It integrates ladder logic with Basic language in a way that they stay in perfect time and thread sync. THAT is how we need Mach3 to work MACRO wise.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5489

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 Probe problem

« on: July 31, 2011, 10:08:16 AM »

Gerry all that testing has come and gone and all the results was shared. Also I have talked to several BIG OEMs and they share the same sentiment about using the macros for motion control code. I have looked at MANY examples of everyones macro probing code and it  is about all the same as to function  Even Dave's(;-) There are only so many ways it can be done.

Not to mention that even Brian and Art have stated there are timig issues with VB and Mach3 and the way CB works with threading(;-)

So take what I had to say and use it for what it is worth(;-).

(;-) TP

5490

General Mach Discussion / Re: Manual Z up/down while code running on my gantry torch.

« on: July 31, 2011, 12:29:20 AM »

I have not used the Xbox plugin does the Wireless have buttons that you can assign to do things? If so have you tried assigning those buttons to THCup and THCdown? You may have to use the macropump or Brain to get them linked up.

Let me know IF I can be of help

Just a thought, (;-) TP