Messages

931

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 02:47:56 PM »

Probing is a neccesity You need it for tool height setting and replicating things. It needs

G31 straight probe with inverse motion. It runs to trip then backs off. That alone can save a ton of programing.

G31 /G2  probes in G2 arc as defined  These are the cats meow for 3d probing routines of the creepy crawler methods both 3d and 2d contouring
G31/G3  probes in G3 as defined  

Saved points ONLY on trip not end of motion. End of motion would be an error could write error 999.999 code in saved points        

Protected mode motion other than G31

932

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 02:17:42 PM »

On the screensets I feel different all l that is needed is a basic screenset that has all the basic functions of CNC. IF you need more than that you are using the WRONG software.  IF it did all the basic functions of CNC what MORE would you REALLY need.  

Most users to day just want to WATCH the machine make a part not spend days trying to figure out HOW to do it.

Keep HOBBY in the back of your mind IF I were having to make a living with it the SPECS would change dramatically . Been there done that and have the hat, teeshirt and coffecup.

Even M3 has a great deal of overkill for TODAYS average user.

(;-) TP

933

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 10:53:04 AM »

HIYA Russ, one of the questions that came up in the discussion was . IF you only had a controller that did basic Gcode COULD you still make your parts as easy as you do now with teh support software that is currently available (Cad/Cam).

The answer was 99% YES. No problem, of course, sure.  That was a jaw dropper to some.

SO what could you really do without ?? and still make your parts.

(;-) TP

934

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 10:18:43 AM »

I would LOVE to test a stripped down version of M3 or M4. I bet 99% of all the weird would dissappear instantly and leave you with a very nice running package.

The screenset WOULD be very simple and easy to follow.

Basic Gcode is a VERY simple language. It is like talking to a 3 year old.  UNTILL it is MADE complicated. AND it does not have to be that way.


To add to the list you do NOT need encoder support

NO modbus support

DO NEED pendant support from the hardware side.

935

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 09:06:21 AM »

Rich just stop and think about how it was done yesterday and how it is perceived today then it is fairly easy to predict what tommorrow briings. People are creatures of habit.

Take  tool comp for example MOST people today have NO IDEA how to use it and don't as Cam does all the work.  IF you don't have TC you do not need a tool table.

Fixture offsets are the same MOST have no idea why they need it as they never use it. Tkae that out and you do not need th fixture tables.

Probing absolutely need that as they WANT to replicate things and recreate them in CNC. PUT some muscle into that section of code.

#vars NOPE
Subs NOPE
Conditional NOPE
parametric NOPE

Macro scipting NOPE

Soft limits NOPE

120 ways to run a spindle NOPE


Now you are down to a simple set of features that you can spend time with to make a very FAST planner that can do 3d really well. and IF it can do 3d well it does 2.5d extra extra well.

YOU have to take YOU out off the picture as you are abnormal compared to teh average  User TODAY. SAME as with myself .  

Remember today cad/cam is a dime a dozen and some are free so you do NOT need any drawing or cam support in the package.  Just partner up with a cad cam package as a mutual interest project.

I think it its time to step back and take a REAL look as to HOW todays users are actually wanting it to be like and HOW they actually use it.

I bet that it is NOTHING like you and I perceive it to be.  The discussion was an eye opener.



Just a thought, (;-) TP

936

General Mach Discussion / Re: IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 18, 2015, 12:14:09 AM »

DIY cnc controller
 LEAN and mean and super fast 3d
no turn

NO mouse needed good tab control

SIMPLE GUI no wood grain panelling (;-) One size fits all

4 axis only A synced feedrate on diameter


large toolpath area

Dry run

Simulate/estimate

3d probing  XYZ creepy crawler built in

2d probing contour XY creepy crawler built in

Tool height probing built in

Table Probing for surface comp

A to Y function

G68 YES

analog out spindle, OR  relays control  KISS

Run HOT feeder
Run Laser
Run plasma ,sense arcOK  for motion , NO THC control

RefHome switch

Limit switch

BASIC Standard Gcodes  /modes
   limited Std canned cycles  Drill /tap only
   GCode MODAL cycle (roll your own G66 style )


NO G10 stuff
NO tool offsets (tool Comp)
NO fixture offsets
No tool tables
No fixture tables
NO G52
NO G92

Multiline MDI  with build in SAVE option (conversational Command line)

Standard Mcodes

Mcode scripting(roll your own)

Probing 4 ways
G31 inverse motion/ Trip then back off xyza
G31/g2  probe on arc
G31/g3  prob on arc
Safe mode motion for non G31 moves

NO #var
No SUbs
No conditional
No G65 macro

No soft limits
No wizards

(;-) TP

937

General Mach Discussion / IF you had a NEW controller whta would it do/not do ?

« on: July 17, 2015, 11:44:33 PM »

I was part of a group discussion the other day about WHAT is needed IF one was to build a new DIY controller for "TODAY'S" hobby users.

It was VERY surprising as  to the feature needed not needed  list.  This was from a group that uses CNC every day as a living and a hobby. A mixed list of users.


As a conversation topic WHAT would your needs be and WHAT could you do WITHOUT as far as useable features. NOW be honest with yourself. I am not talking about wannabe features  just real life I use it everyday features.

Popcorn is ready, (;-) TP

938

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! Dangerous Result With Mach3 And Vista Pendant

« on: July 17, 2015, 02:21:21 PM »

IF it works OK without using the pendant then it sounds like the problem lies with their PLUGIN software. HAVE you contacted Vista about the problem

(;-) TP

939

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! Dangerous Result With Mach3 And Vista Pendant

« on: July 17, 2015, 01:32:18 PM »

OK  so what do you have going on AFTER the M01 ? Is there a macro used to feed in the wire ?  Something is switching the Modal G01 to a G00 . I have never seen Mach3 do that on a cycle start call.

IF you use the keyboard Cycle start or screen Cycle start  instead of the pendant Cycle Start does it do the same thing ??

(;-) TP

940

General Mach Discussion / Re: Changes In Macro Execution?

« on: July 17, 2015, 10:31:24 AM »

Art your adventures are ALWAYS a great adventure worth following. I did some research on the pokey are you are correct it IS an interesting critter.

BUT what happend to the beagle bone thingy ??

Nothing wrong with using Gearotic as a base of operations 

(;-) TP