Messages

5731

General Mach Discussion / Re: ellipse code using limited number of arcs

« on: January 21, 2009, 03:26:03 PM »

A true ellipse can not be made with 4 arcs. Or any number of arcs, for that matter. AutoCAD can draw one with 16 arcs, but it's still not a true ellipse. Sorry, but I don't know how they actually do it.

5732

General Mach Discussion / Re: Offsets for spherical tools

« on: January 20, 2009, 01:37:40 PM »

Use a CAM program and 3D model.

Within the last week, someone (VMAX) posted a macro for doing a sphere on the Yahoo group. If he reads this, maybe he'll post it here.

5733

Mach Screens / Re: screen set

« on: January 19, 2009, 09:10:39 PM »

Flash screens are developed using Adobe Flash. "Regular" screens are done with Screen4, Mach's screen designer. Either will work with a touchscreen. Regular screens are much easier to do, but Flash screens are far more powerful (if you know how to program in Flash).

5734

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mirror Image

« on: January 19, 2009, 05:55:12 PM »

Config > Homing Limits, check "Reverse".

Hit the tab key and set the slow jog %

5735

Works in progress / Beta Version

« on: January 17, 2009, 11:49:51 AM »

Here's a usable version for testing.

Unzip all the .png's to Mach3\bitmaps\R2\

Place Spindle OR LED.brn in Mach3\Brains\

Put R2.set in Mach3 folder.

Spindle Override
The brain is needed so the spindle override can match the FRO, because Mach didn't have a native spindle override LED. In order for it to work correctly, if you have no spindle, you may need to set a spindle speed in the initialization string, and set the pulley 1 max and min speeds.

Note: Make sure to enable the brain.

I haven't gotten to the built in wizards yet, and they'll be a while. Also, the settings screen isn't done yet. Actually haven't started them yet. I think I have between 40-60 hours in this so far.

The only thing I'll probably change on these screens are the few remaining LED's for MPG selections.

5736

General Mach Discussion / Re: Point cloud to G-code. What do I need?

« on: January 16, 2009, 11:04:15 AM »

As I mentioned to you at Cnc Zone, you can use MachCloud to convert the point cloud to an .stl. Then, use something like MeshCAM or vectric's Cut3D to get your code from the .stl.

5737

Works in progress / Re: Another new screen

« on: January 16, 2009, 09:08:25 AM »

I'm going to remove most of the LED's and replace them with the two state buttons I'm using. This will give it a more consistent look. I think the only LED's I'll need are the MPG axis selections and modes. I'll redo those as well to look a little better. I'll try to get it all done by tomorrow and post a working version minus the settings screen and wizards.

5738

Works in progress / Re: Another new screen

« on: January 15, 2009, 09:51:33 PM »

It doesn't seem to do anything here. I'll try it on my laptop tomorrow and see if it works there. But if it's working for you, that's fine. At least I know it works.

As for the button, I already have the Auto zero button (same thing). As for the DRO, I figured that, how many people would actually use different plate thicknesses? It's simple to just change the thickness in the macro and leave it. I do appreciate the suggestion, though.

And thanks for checking things out.

5739

Works in progress / Re: Another new screen

« on: January 15, 2009, 09:31:41 PM »

Yeah, but I can't get it to work. I checked the standard screen and another one, and I set mine up the same way, but it doesn't seem to work for me. Would you mind checking it on your end?



I think I finished up the layout of the second screen. I have a spare button in the bottom left corner. Any suggestions?

5740

Works in progress / Re: Another new screen

« on: January 15, 2009, 08:54:06 PM »

OK, fixed the simulate and changed the Reset button. I'm going to redo the plain LED's so they match the LED buttons better.

I'm still confused about run from here. Screen4 says the system function is "set next line". Set next line uses OEM156, which is "set this line as next to execute". The Set next Line button works, but I don't know how to use Run From Here. Anyone?