Messages

6701

VB and the development of wizards / Re: how to use macropump

« on: June 13, 2010, 01:12:22 PM »

HIYA IAN, (;-) Are you sure? I have seen mach skip over code instead of holding until it is done. I have also seen mach HOLD code and run it many cycles later.

But I promised myself not to go there (;-)

Note: I don't think Art envisioned the macro side to used as we have found ways to use it(;-) So it may not have been fully integrated into mach as a realtime function.

JMOP (;-)

6702

Brains Development / Re: Enable-signal programming?

« on: June 13, 2010, 11:32:25 AM »

Pat I think the gecko manual referes to OPENING the circuit not shunting across it.

NOT to be picking on you, just trying to help keep the lawyers away from your door. Operator safety especially at public schools is very serious.

Does your circuit KNOW the difference between a real ESTOP or just a limit trip? NO? that is one of my points.

The only thing in MACH that can help is to setup and USE SoftLimits.  You will have to RefHome all axis then setup the travels for all the axis in softlimits. Stop them just short of the HardLimits trip.

That way you have a soft limits AND hardlimits to protect the machine. AND the softlimits will not loose position where the hard limits WILL loose position.

6703

VB and the development of wizards / Re: how to use macropump

« on: June 13, 2010, 11:02:06 AM »

YEP the macropump samples at 10hz or ten times per sec.

6704

Brains Development / Re: Enable-signal programming?

« on: June 12, 2010, 09:27:44 PM »

Pat I don't think your design will meet safety protocal as an emergency shut down. To meet that qualification you would need to open the incoming power supply and then SHUNT across the PSU to effectively drain down the caps to stop the machine dead in its tracks.

NOTE: If the situation is sever enought to need to ESTOP why are you worried about loosing position??(;-)

Using the brains is like using the Macropump it is an endless loop so if you program a saftey function that depends on an input to function it is possible that if the right conditions exist it could auto restart with movement.

That I know of there is NO function in mach to do what you want.

6705

Brains Development / Re: Enable-signal programming?

« on: June 12, 2010, 11:02:31 AM »

Pat as soon as the relay kills the power to the drives you have lost position. So every thing after that is a mute point.

For safety reasons you do NOT want a FULL auto reset. You want to have separate manual functions to bring the machine back online.

Be very carefull to follow "established" machine safety guidelines. Your future may depend on it.

(;-)

6706

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Interrupting current gcode from vb

« on: June 11, 2010, 09:16:16 PM »

Remember mach is not a realtime system with gcode so interrupting a gcode command is really not possible. Once the moves are loaded into the buffer that is about it for interaction other than Feedhold or STOP.  Feedold comes to a controlled stop and holds position and that position is NOT predictable. STOP simply turns off the pulse stream and may even dump the buffer and you loose position.

With encoders you can read and compare and error if you are out of bandwidth.

 That is why we cannot close the control loop from mach.

And remember the macro loop is only 10hz or 10 times per sec.

Have you tried the mach backlash COMP?

6707

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with macro with two macros inside. Cnc embroidering project

« on: June 11, 2010, 08:27:40 PM »

oK what was it about the Gocde method that you did not like???

The gcode method is the practical approach at this point. with fast and powerfull SERVOs you would be able to get some speed.

I have reveiwed the basic process and I don't see how mach could do it useng macros and getting any speed out of it. Far to many problems to overcome in Gcode/VB

NOW it may be possible by doing it in a plugin in C++ as you are not limited to the 10hz looptime. You should be able to sample at kernal speed

Just a thought,

6708

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with macro with two macros inside. Cnc embroidering project

« on: June 10, 2010, 10:57:16 AM »

HIYA RENE, I see you are not getting any help (;-). I have looked at your process AND don't have much hope for it to work BUT I am a sucker for complex projects SO I will give it some more thought and get back with you shortly.

I fear that you will run out of time to get everything done in a manner that would make it productive(more than 1 stiches per sec if that)

StandBye(;-)

6709

General Mach Discussion / Re: need a macropump

« on: June 10, 2010, 10:52:56 AM »

Putting a motion code into the macropump is NOT a good idea and can be dangerous. The macropump is an automatic loop that runs continuously. ANYTIME the conditions were met the MACHINE will move on its own.

IF you can describe what you are wanting to do step by step maybe we can help you design a better function to work for your application.

6710

General Mach Discussion / Re: Floating head dives in to material

« on: June 09, 2010, 08:19:27 PM »

YEP do not use the leadout with an inside cut. When you get back to the CUT area to do the leadout the large open space causes the tip voltage to rise and the THC see this and lowers the tip to try to maintain the preset voltage level.

Also with the leadout the torch may loose arc and shut mach down as well.