Messages

231

Modbus / Re: Hitachi X200

« on: June 01, 2011, 08:58:08 PM »

The USB cable is plugged in before i even start the computer up.

I opened up hyperaccess (which is like the big brother of hyper terminal) and it keeps saying "com 6" is busy!? (busy doing what?! haha)

Presumable you don't have any other application trying to access port 6 at the same time?

If you can't access the USB port via Hyperterm then you have an issue between your PC and the USB serial device. You need to solve that before trying to get it to work with Mach3.

Cheers,

Peter.

232

Modbus / Re: Hitachi X200

« on: May 31, 2011, 08:34:11 PM »

1. Double checked my cables and pinout. They are correct.

2. Had to go into device manager (windows xp) and setup the serial to usb converter. It was set to COM 6, and baud 9600. I left it at com 6, and selected 19,200. The other settings were correct.

3. Updated the new com port number into mach, but with no luck. Still wont open the "port" when i click open.

4. Found that all my settings i "entered" into the vfd through the keypad didn't save!! After selecting a setting and changing its value, you must hit the "STR" key (Save to ram) or it will not save any of your settings. Corrected this issue.

5. In modbus test (in mach), it will still not "open" com port 6. The correct drivers are loaded for the converter, and device manager says the device is working properly. What could it be?

I have the SW7 switch on 485, and SW8 set to off like the manual states for modbus operation. I also have all the settings programmed into the VFD and saved, per the manual specs. Com port 6 at 19200 baud is my usb to serial converter. Mach simply can't open the port.

What should I do?

Check out the pictures! Thanks.

Opening the port should have nothing to do with Modbus. You can open a port even if nothing is attached to it. If you can't open the port then it means it can't find it.

See if you can open the port in Hyperterm.

Also make sure that you plug the usb serial port into the PC before you start up Mach3, or start up Hyperterm.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Peter.

233

Modbus / Re: Hitachi X200

« on: May 31, 2011, 02:55:57 AM »

Have you set the Modbus address of the VFD to '1'?

Also try reading a holding register rather than an input register.

Cheers,

Peter.

234

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: May 30, 2011, 09:21:34 AM »

OK, just looked at the silver blue screen set and the spindle pulley DRO is not displayed anywhere.

So I guess you will need to set it through the config dialog box.

Cheers,

Peter.

235

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: May 30, 2011, 09:14:37 AM »

You can select which one you want to use from that config dialog box, or if you go to the Diagnotics page in turn you can just select the fully dro on the bottom left with the mouse, then type the new pulley number in there.

Cheers,

Peter.

236

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: May 30, 2011, 08:22:12 AM »

It's under the top menu Config->Spindle Pulleys 

Cheers,

Peter

237

General Mach Discussion / Re: Remote readout

« on: May 20, 2011, 06:59:11 PM »

Hi,

Quite a few people have built panels and remote displayes using the ModIO and it's 20*4 LCD display.

If you have a look on the Mach3 support wiki, there is some great info of various ways to achieve what you want.
http://www.machsupport.com/MachCustomizeWiki/index.php?title=Mach3_Pendants_links
http://www.machsupport.com/MachCustomizeWiki/index.php?title=Customization_case_studies


The Pendant kit parts  I sell could also be used to make a panel rather than put it in the handheld enclosure. Rather than the whole kit, you could just purchase the parts you need. The Pendantkit  plugin will then allow you to use it to just be a remote display.

http://www.homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=74

Cheers,

Peter

238

General Mach Discussion / Re: DC spindle motor

« on: May 19, 2011, 09:04:12 PM »

Hi,

THe spindle motor is best controlled by a DC motor controller such as the KBIC-120 by KB electronics
http://www.kb-electronics-controls.com/_product_15408/9429_-_KBIC-120
http://www.plccenter.com/Buy/KB%20ELECTRONICS/KBIC120


or one like this that is very popular;
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=11-2269&catname=electric

With one of these controllers, you can then use a PWM to control voltage converter such as the DC-03V3 DigiSpeed  (That  I sell) to control the spindle speed from Mach3.
http://www.homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=21

Cheers,

Peter.

239

Modbus / Re: Modbus and Timing

« on: May 03, 2011, 05:45:07 PM »

Hi,

The refresh rate is the rate at with the master Mach3 will send the requests, so if you have to cfgs set up, it will send the first request (cfg0). As soon as it receives the reply for cfg0, Mach3 will send the next request (cfg1) and wait for the reply.

Once the reply from the cfg1 is received it then waits until the next refresh cycle, say 40mS, before starting again.

In response to a request from a master, the slave should reply as quick as possible as any delay stops the master from issuing the next request.


The timeout value, of say 100ms, is the time that the master waits for a reply before abandoning the transaction and moves on to the next request (cfg).

I hope trhis helps,

Cheers,

Peter.

240

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC4PC??

« on: May 03, 2011, 05:32:17 PM »

I saw a thread about buying Mach and having it not be a legit copy. Has anyone purchased Mach from CNC4PC? If so what was your experience. I dont mind paying Artsoft 175.00 if the 145.00 deal is not worth it. I do realize the value of Mach, but I am also on an extreme hobbiest budget due to unemployment.

thanks in advance

I am sure that CNC4PC is not selling Pirate copies. I sell it cheaper and I'm not a pirate either.

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

Cheers,

Peter