Messages

6071

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Read out G-Code list in the top right corner of mach3

« on: January 08, 2011, 04:20:58 PM »

I have looked and look and thunk and thunk but don't see a way to do what you want as there eis now way I see to KNOW if the G31 is running.

One thing I do see is to moniter the ProbeLed and IF it goes active AND wait a few MSec and IF the axis Ismoving () then Estop.

But looking back through a few years of notes on probing. The problem was NOT when the probed actually tripped the input and it turned on the led. IT was when the probe tripped but MACH did not see the trip because it was busy with VB stuff and then the axis drove the probe into the part thinking it had NOT tripped. (IMO)

I can say that the G31 when used in the Gcode programs is stone cold dependable. I have routines that probe for 998000 trips and it never misses a point.

BUT when you use it INSIDE the VB enviroment it requires you to constantly guard it with wait states to insure it does and sees what it is suppose to without crashing the probe.This usually makes it a very clunky stop/go process that is FAR from a smooth operation.

IF we had an indicator like you need MAYBE it could be made more fail safe.

Again (IMO), (;-)

6072

General Mach Discussion / Re: New program for pipe coping

« on: January 08, 2011, 03:14:40 PM »

Look at the simple coping routine in the MACH TOOL BOX in the download section. It works here for simple things.
There are 4 inputs it asks for the coped tube diameter the Base tube Diameter  the Tube thicknes and the angle of the cope.

In setting up a 4th for tube cutting consider using drive rollers to rotate the tube and run the A axis as a linear drive. One you set the steps per inch then it is just like runing X/Y  no polar conversions needed. The tube surface speed will always be the same as the surface speed of the roller driving it(;-).

Just a thought, (;-)TP

6073

General Mach Discussion / Re: New program for pipe coping

« on: January 08, 2011, 02:57:41 PM »

It is one thing to just place a macro to drive the dro update as that is a ONE TIME thing(;-)

I like the auto update of the DRO as it takes one more step away from the operator to have to remember. IF you get it wrong the displayed toolpath will be distorted as well.  At least it does here(;-)

DOn't give the operator too much control he will think he actually runs it. (;-)

(;-) TP

6074

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why is there no effort for the true closed loop control on the mach3 level

« on: January 08, 2011, 02:44:37 PM »

Mach has a simple bang bang trapazoidal planner you get what you get.

Most MC cards except the servo encoder signal and close the loop at the MC card.

As far as advanced motion control like you want?? I dought it. Most are used to control a Dumb servo amp that excepts analog +/-10v.

Most simple MC's just emulate the input signals they are given.  THE vey high end ones can convert the simple input into a complex output based on parameters like you wanted.

BUT that is why high$ controllers are high$$$$$ controllers.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

6075

General Mach Discussion / Re: New program for pipe coping

« on: January 08, 2011, 01:49:41 PM »

One problem with the wrapper approach is a hole that is wrapped and a hole that is projected are2 different dawgs as far as hole shape is concerned.

When plasma cutting on a tube the shape must represent a projected hole onto the tube being cut. It ends up oval shaped if you do it as a wrap.

If you look in the Mach tool box there is a simple coping routine that is driven with Gcode and a programable front end. It only does simple on axis angles not offsets.

Still working on the math to get perfect holes in a tube(;-).

I am sure IF you build it they will use it. That is one tool that is lacking in most DIY Plasma users toolbox.

Just a thought(;-) TP

6076

General Mach Discussion / Re: New program for pipe coping

« on: January 08, 2011, 01:09:48 PM »

HECK give it a whirl, we can always work out the particulars.

Like the old addage says , THE operator MUST be responcible for something(;-)

Let them place the macro in the proper spot(;-) IF they want to use it I BET they can figure out where to place the macro(;-)

Setting up mach to do 4th rotations is just a simple setup process they can figure it out

Have it do the angle cope AND a hole placement on the base tube. Those are the 2 normal processes done. The hole placement being the most USED.

(;-) TP

6077

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why is there no effort for the true closed loop control on the mach3 level

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:54:58 PM »

YEP you have many that can do the job.

Galil
Dsmpmc
Mesa
Kflop

6078

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Read out G-Code list in the top right corner of mach3

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:35:10 PM »

Perhaps you could use the ISMoving() to tell IF the axis is still moving after the probe trip?

Compare the state of the probe trip (led) and the trip position. Then IF the next compare to the axis position exceeds the .2mm from the trip position AND the axis ISMOVING() then Estop

I don't know of any way to KNOW if the G31 goes active(;-).

Just a thought, (;-) TP

PS:  You may want to consider doing the safety check from the BRAINS. They are more dependable and faster and take up less CPU time.

HUM NOPE that stil does not help as you still need to know IF the g31 is active.

I'll do some digging.

6079

General Mach Discussion / Re: tool change

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:16:30 PM »

A tool change normally does not restart the spindle. It is normally restarted via Gcode after the machine clears the tool change area .

YOU can alter the M6end macro to auto restart the spindle .

To the M6end add  DoSpinCW() to the end of the file.  Just remember it willl autostart the spindle EVEN if it is not where you want it to be(;-)

Hope that helps, (;-) TP

6080

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why is there no effort for the true closed loop control on the mach3 level

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:00:09 PM »

ALL those controllers use an independant MOTION controller for closing the loop. Some of them even run 2-4 processors JUST to keep up.

EVEN then NONE of them do axis corrections to correct a falut. They are just using a PID to help the servo keep up with the motion data stream. Let that servo LAG far enough and it just faults ands stops the controller.

You can have that with steppers in MACH. Rogers machine sells the board and provides the plugin to drive it. WORKS VERY WELL

You can have that same feature in mach by running a digital servo drive( the loop is close in the drive ) OR use a motion controller JUST like the big boys and clos it on the MC card.

NONE of them cost $175.00(;-)

IF you want Free closed loop PC control you have EMC2(;-)

Take your pick, (;-) TP