Messages

571

General Mach Discussion / Re: Custom plasma probing code?

« on: December 26, 2015, 09:18:38 PM »

Dave if it helps the OEMdros 1000 - 1255 as supposed to be mapped to #Vars 15000 -15255.

(;-) TP

572

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z Down Feed Rate DRO

« on: December 26, 2015, 09:00:00 PM »

Looks decent from here(;-) One note teh Blue DROs with teh black letters are going to hard to read at times. I always pick White letters with a blue background as it has a much better contrast and much easier on old eyes.

On the tools assignments you may want to just consider the tool# and slot # as the same thing and use the Tool# in mach3 .  Otherewise you will have to create a swap table to drive and update the  ATC and that is something else you would have to maintain.

If I am creating a 10 tool ATC then I just use tool # 1-10 from the tool table. Yes you do have to edit the tool table IF you change out to a different tool. But that only takes less than  a minute to do 3 or 4 tools .  Mach3 assumes that tool# and slot# are the same for tool changes and does NOT provide a method of tracking them.

I may have a hot swap tool table somewhere here I will just have to look. I have only used one with a hotswap tool changer (not what you are building I think (;-) ) as they get complicated tracking tools and changes.

573

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Edit post for xy position move then z

« on: December 26, 2015, 06:22:33 PM »

That value of Z.1 is a variable that you  set from your Cam, it is not written in stone (;-)  Z rapid height or Safe Z to some is simple teh height above the work that it is safe to rapid anywhere on the table safely.

Not picking on you,  as you are doing a fine job , (;-) I did not know if you understood Z rapid height/SafeZ .

(;-) TP

574

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z Down Feed Rate DRO

« on: December 26, 2015, 06:16:20 PM »

Jeff you are doing a fine job. It just takes time to learn it all.  If I could send you a six pack of " Done Learned It All " I surely would.

But then where would be the fun in that ??

(;-) TP

575

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z Down Feed Rate DRO

« on: December 26, 2015, 05:55:23 PM »

HIYA Jeff are you  working on this for your ATC ??   Normally you set all motion values and LEAVE them be . That way things are MORE predictable. There is nothing to gain by constantly jacking the Feedrate of the ATC up and down. Set it and forget it. IF down the road you want to adjust it then simply do so in the Script.

The simpler you make the control script for the ATC the easier it is going to be to get it working and trouble shoot it. I have never heard anyone complain that an ATC script was TOO SIMPLE (;-)

(;-) TP

   

576

General Mach Discussion / Re: More inputs and outputs needed in Mach3

« on: December 26, 2015, 05:40:16 PM »

I know several people using their servo drives and they love them. VERY dependable.

The CNCdrive  controllers are ALSO supported in their OWN CNC software Interface  > UCCNC , also very nice to use, very easy to setup. It is NICE when the Same people design and build both the Controller Hardware and Controller software . Hard to be able to make any excuses as to why things do not work properly.

(;-) TP

577

General Mach Discussion / Re: Custom plasma probing code?

« on: December 26, 2015, 05:24:39 PM »

You have the general idea with teh SUB.  Yes you CAN access the Values of a range of DROs through Gcode directly with #vars in the Gcode (;-).

There is a list here on the site somewhere I will look for it again. This comes up about every 2years or so (;-).

What exactly are you checking for in teh M900 ?? To see IF teh Z switch is stuck on ?? I would do this in teh M3 macro and eliminate teh M900 all together.


As to making the ouput active yo MAY want o consider doing this from Gcode and use a simple brain to do teh switching eliminating 2 more macros.

Simply have the Gcode Set a #var to either 0 or 1 and have the brain watch that dro # that is matched to teh #var.  That range should work both ways modify either one and it updates the other.

Now you have eliminated any problems or delays  that you could run into from using Mcodes .

Just a thought, (;-) TP

578

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Edit post for xy position move then z

« on: December 26, 2015, 04:25:32 PM »

OH I think you will care as the Cam has NO idea where those clamps are. Each job they could be in a different XY point and Z height THAT is what Z rapid clearance setting is all about . It is a point where you do not need to be concered about the clamp heights. As it should clear any clamps on the table.

Your first responce was it will not matter because you always start over the part . But then you changed your mind talking about a problem hitting clamps.

Do you ALWAYS refhome the machine before you start work ? If you don't then you have NO idea where G53 Z-1 will take you .

BUT to each his own , I am glad you got it sorted the way you wanted.

(;-) TP

579

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Z Down Feed Rate DRO

« on: December 26, 2015, 04:13:06 PM »

It looks to me you are adding a lot of extra gizmo's to the script that serve no real purpose. It is akin to walking all the way around the block just to go next door.  Please do not take offense as you did ASK (;-)

(;-) TP

580

General Mach Discussion / Re: More inputs and outputs needed in Mach3

« on: December 26, 2015, 12:39:44 PM »

I would consider moving all teh axis control over to a LPT port the use teh left over pins for other I/O control or another means of I/O (modbus,etc) for the non critical I/O.  Doing the Tool Changer as a PLC is always a good idea as then you just talk to teh PLC to request and confirm a ttol change and not use up valueable port/ pins.

Then you can consider moving to an outside controller as is mentioned that way with a controller like teh UC300 you have 5 ports plus analog in and out to have available.