Messages

4141

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Marco gone wild.

« on: July 05, 2011, 06:33:32 PM »

Try This:


Sub Main()
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state
CurrentGmode = GetOemDRO(819) 'Get the current G0/G1 state
PlateThickness = GetUserDRO(1151) 'Z-plate thickness DRO
Code "G54"
Code "G90"

DoButton( 24 )

DoOEMButton 1010
Sleep (250)

DoButton( 23 )
DoButton( 22 )
DoButton( 25 )

Code "G90 G0 Z-2.75"

While ismoving()
Wend

Code "G90 G31 Z-4 F4" 'probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move

While ismoving()
Wend

ZProbePos = GetVar(2002) 'get the exact point the probe was hit

Sleep(150)

Code "G90 G0 Z" &ZProbePos 'go back to that point, always a very small amount of overrun

While ismoving()
Wend

Zoffset = getvar(5223)
Cline = (ZProbePos-3.2395) '-3.2395 Distance between center line of rotary and probe

SetVar(5243,(Cline+PlateThickness))'Set G55 Z
SetVar(5263,(Cline+PlateThickness))'Set G56 Z
SetVar(5283,(Cline+PlateThickness))'Set G57 Z


Code "G91"
Code "G0 Z0.1" 'retract

While ismoving()
Wend

Code "G55"
Code "G90"
Code "G0 X0 Y0"   'move to start position
While ismoving()
Wend

Message "Z axis is now zeroed for G55, G56, G57" 'puts this message in the status bar

End Sub 

4142

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: July 05, 2011, 05:40:53 PM »

Hi Jos,

I haven't gotten to the point cloud conversion software purchase yet. I have been trying to find one that I can afford

MachCloud will convert your point cloud into an .stl, and it's free. http://www.machsupport.com/downloads/MachCloud.zip

You'll still need something to create g-code from the .stl.
FreeMill is free
MeshCAM and Cut3D are both good.

4143

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need longer cords on mouse & keyboard.

« on: July 04, 2011, 10:31:00 AM »

I haven't noticed a problem with them, plus as I'm walking around the table I have the mouse in my hand with the cursor over the e-stop just in case.

You do realize that when you do have a problem, the mouse button won't work. 

4144

Mach Screens / Re: Arrow Keys Jogging doesn't work with a new screen

« on: July 04, 2011, 07:36:13 AM »

If you don't have the parallel port driver installed, certain things will not work. I found that out when designing a screen on the laptop I'm typing this on. Even though it's not capable of running a machine, it needs the driver installed when testing screen functions.

4145

Mach Screens / Re: Arrow Keys Jogging doesn't work with a new screen

« on: July 03, 2011, 02:06:00 PM »

1) You must have a Jog On/Off  button on each page you want to jog on. Or is it the LED? One or the other, but you can't jog without it.

2) Do you mean nothing happens if you do a G0 X1? Or it's not using the rapid speed?
 Are you using G Zero, or the letter "O"?

3) Are you 100% positive you're in continuous jog mode? Put a continuous mode LED on the screen to check.

4146

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Autodesk 123D - Free 3D Design Software

« on: July 03, 2011, 01:08:22 PM »

Looks like with V5, you can "publish" a 2D .dwg.
Save As .dwg gives you a 3D .dwg, of no use to V-Carve.

http://www.123dapp.com/SiteFiles/Download-Now/WhatsNewin123DBeta5.pdf

4147

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor temp

« on: July 03, 2011, 07:47:41 AM »

1.5 amps sounds like some very low powered motors. Do you have one of those inexpensive Chinese packages with big motors? If so, you might not be able to get a lot of speed out of it.
How are you driving the machine? Acme screws, or rack and pinion? Ballscrews?

I cut MDF at 125-150ipm, and around 12,000-14,000 rpm. This is limited by the speed of my machine.
My day job is programming a large industrial router, which can cut MDF in one pass at 1000ipm, and 16,000 rpm with a 1/2" bit.

You should be able to cut hardwoods at similar feedrates to MDF. You may be able to slow the rpm down a bit, but it depends on the quality of the cut. Higher rpm's can give better quality cuts, but will shorten bit life, as more heat ids generated at the cutting edge.

4148

FAQs / Re: Homing and <goto zero> issues

« on: July 03, 2011, 07:15:19 AM »

You may have made the changes, but I found these issues in the .xml you posted.

In Config > Homing/Limits, make sure all the A settings are the same as the X. You have them set to home in different directions (home negative setting).

The A home switch is not enabled. I'm assuming you have it enabled now?

4149

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Alibre CAM/Mach3 compatability?

« on: July 01, 2011, 05:54:33 PM »

Go to Help > About, and you should see your name.

4150

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Alibre CAM/Mach3 compatability?

« on: July 01, 2011, 05:40:18 PM »

Do you have a Mach3 license?
Are there any error messages?