Messages

51

General Mach Discussion / zero an axis before every move

« on: August 01, 2010, 03:47:51 PM »

Hey guys, I'm working on a rather unique 5 axis dispensing machine and am still quite new to Mach and VB, so I'm having a difficult time with what is probably a simple problem.  I have a dispenser controlled by my C-axis that is moved in and out of the work area via a linear actuator.  This actuator is moved into place with the M-command M802 (switching output 1).  My goal is to have the C axis reset to zero every time the actuator is activated.  This is to simplify the g-code when programming the dispenser;  Rather than accumulating a larger and larger value each time a small amount of fluid is dispensed, we want to start from zero each time.  Can anyone help me with a VB script or any other approach to make my C axis zero each time I activate M802?

My M802 script currently looks like this:

ActivateSignal(output1)
code("G4 P1")

I just need some help on what lines to add to set the C axis to zero!

52

General Mach Discussion / dispenser suckback script - incremental move in macro

« on: August 01, 2010, 03:02:09 PM »

Hey guys, doing my best at this VB programming thing but still quite new to it.  I'm using my C-axis as a fluid dispenser which is mounted on a linear actuator to move it in and out of the work area.  Currently, I have it set up as M802 to extend the actuator (output 2 in Mach) and M902 to retract it.  On the retract command, M902, I want to add a few lines to incrementally step the dispenser back a set amount.  Here is what my current script looks like:

'M902
'raises dispenser actuator
DeActivateSignal(Output2)
code("G91")
code(G01 C-.005 F50")
code("G90")

This script does work in testing, but I'm worried that the G91 command is going to affect the g-code I am running by switching it momentarily to incremental mode and then back to absolute.  Is there a way to make the g91 only affect the c-axis, or a way to momentarily inhibit movement on the other 5 axes?  It seems like there should be a really obvious solution here but I can't figure it out for the life of me!

53

General Mach Discussion / Re: Phantom limit stop

« on: August 01, 2010, 11:52:31 AM »

I had the same problem, getting a little noise from the overhead fluorescent and had my debounce up to 1000!   I put in an optoisolator between the parallel port and limit switch, and fed +5v through the limit switch path.  Sorted it right out and now no more noise!

54

General Mach Discussion / Re: controlling outputs through g-code

« on: July 22, 2010, 01:06:51 PM »

thanks Hood!  Seems so simple once someone knowledgeable explains it! 

55

General Mach Discussion / controlling outputs through g-code

« on: July 22, 2010, 11:38:57 AM »

Hey guys, I'm having trouble wrapping my stupid head around Mach's control of outputs.  I have a mill with a spindle and a dispenser mounted on separate air actuators to move them into the work area and act as a float.  I want Mach to be able to switch these actuators on and off when they're needed through the g-code.  Has anyone had any experience with an application like this, or can anyone recommend a visual basic script to get me started?

56

VB and the development of wizards / Re: backtracking a dispenser! need advice!

« on: July 14, 2010, 02:13:25 PM »

just tried it out and you are right!  Cheers guys, that was easier than I thought it was going to be! woooo!  It's dispensin' time!

57

VB and the development of wizards / Re: backtracking a dispenser! need advice!

« on: July 14, 2010, 08:41:09 AM »

haha yes it would! My problem is that my programs are running in the range of 5,000 lines and up, lots of arcs and other insanity.  I need a way to automatically put in the code to move the dispenser back, editing gcode by hand intimidates me ( I'm still a n00b when it comes to CNC control, does it show?  lol)

58

VB and the development of wizards / backtracking a dispenser! need advice!

« on: July 13, 2010, 08:10:18 PM »

Hey all, just setting up a new fishman solder paste dispenser as my C axis.  As the C-axis goes positive, the cartridge is compressed and paste gets dispensed into the desired pattern, but when forward motion stops, there is still pressure in the cartridge and the paste continues to poop out and ruin my circuit board!  I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction in a way to rectify this.  Ideally I would like Mach to detect when the dispenser is in use, wait for forward motion to cease, and then reverse the direction of the C-axis a set number of steps/distance to relieve the pressure on the cartridge.  Has anyone had any experience in this sort of situation?

59

General Mach Discussion / Re: home all axes simulateneously?

« on: July 09, 2010, 11:39:56 AM »

thank you very much!  All axes are now homing and I'm learning all about visual basic and braiiiins!

60

General Mach Discussion / home all axes simulateneously?

« on: June 28, 2010, 09:18:06 AM »

Hello, Mach3 newbie here!

I'm just setting up mach on a new 6 axis machine and I am wondering if there is a way to home all axes at the same time, rather than one after another.  The machine has 60 x 40 inch table and I'm just looking to speed up the homing process.  Any help would be appreciated!