Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: E-stop and Probe problem

« on: December 29, 2014, 05:16:32 AM »

Hi,
I had similar issue the other day, when I couldn't get Mach out of e-stop. Pin settings/wiring were all OK. I had to rebuild xml file from default one - creating a new profile and copy all the settings from my customized/faulty xml. But I don't think that such errors happen just randomly, I usually get weird Mach behavior after changing pin settings (eg. motor output), and restarting Mach used to fix the problems so far.
Mihael

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Start Mach3 with gcode line numbers displayed

« on: December 02, 2014, 07:39:24 PM »

Thanks for the reply

I once made utility that starts mach on another screen in dual monitor setup, so I just modified that program to create mouse double click over the gcode display window.

23

General Mach Discussion / Start Mach3 with gcode line numbers displayed

« on: November 28, 2014, 04:20:22 PM »

Is this possible ?

Thanks,
Mihael

24

Others / Re: Rhino: 2D path to g-code

« on: October 24, 2014, 02:41:30 PM »

Hi

some updates and few more scripts:

3DPath2GCode - creates gcode from non-planar lines and arcs planar in XY/YZ/XZ (non planar arcs and curves should be converted to lines)

HelicalDrill  - creates helical (circular ramp) gcode based on selected circle path diameter, adjustable stepdown per turn or ramp angle

ProfilePath - creates simple closed profile curve with arc lead-in and lead-out

FacePath - creates simple path for clearing rectangular surface

CircularPocketPathPilot - creates closed or open spiral path for clearing circular area, assumes there's pilot hole allready drilled (eg. with HelicalDrill)

CircularPocketPathIsland - creates open spiral path for clearing area between two concentric circles (no lead in move, you can use HelicalDrill to create start of pocket arround island)

Spirals in circular pocket paths are created using variable stepover trying to keep TEA below allowed maximum - which is calculated from stepover specified for linear path. For ProfilePath and CircularPockedPath*, be sure to turn off "Simplify" option if used with 2DPath2GCode

Cheers

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach and VFD, modbus or pwm

« on: May 08, 2014, 03:58:15 AM »

I found all the info in "modbus" section of the forum.

26

General Mach Discussion / Re: probe guard

« on: May 06, 2014, 10:07:42 AM »

160 steps per mm for all axes (20mm lead, 200 steps per turn, 16 micro-steps per step), I was running it at 4 and 8 micro-steps before.

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behavior with probe wiring

« on: May 06, 2014, 05:29:32 AM »

I'm glad I was able to help. If your 0VDC (i guess you call it "board ground") is always connected to router frame and the frame is connected to router/tool, you do not need aligator clip since the tool is allready connected to 0VDC. Also, if one jumper changes all of the input pins to be "high" when left in the air, you'll have to apply same logic to your inputs (home/limit switches etc). Good luck!
Mihael

28

General Mach Discussion / Mach and VFD, modbus or pwm

« on: May 06, 2014, 02:32:35 AM »

Hi,

I'm upgrading spindle on my machine with VFD controled one, I'm total noob in that area, and I would appreciate any info. I have two options, Toshiba Tosvert VF-nC3 or VF-S15 - I really dont understand the difference between these two models and will probably go with cheaper one (VF-nC3).
I want to control spindle start/stop and speed from gcode. If I could perform tapping operation it would be absolutely great (is this called semi-rigid tapping in this case?) . It would be nice if I could read current/actual speed from drive, so I know when the spindle has reached commanded speed.

VFDs can be controled via Modbus-RTU / RS-485 and vendor offers USB(serial) to RS-485 interface for that. VFD speed can be controled with PWM, and for that vendor offers gizmo for interfacing parallel port output to VFD PWM input.

If I go with PWM option, i'll have to use relay+contactor for starting/stopping spindle - that's two extra ouputs, one for PWM speed control and one for the relay, right ?
I think I can save some money if I make my own serial to RS-485 interface using AM26LS31CN line driver - providing diferential TxD/RxD signals.

What do you think is better solution for Mach?

Thanks,
Mihael

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behavior with probe wiring

« on: May 06, 2014, 01:37:55 AM »

Are you sure that jumper exists (my board does not have it) ?
"Active" state is logic state, inputs can have "high" and "low" state, you can set logic state in Mach and tell him how to interpret input state into active state. If you actually do have jumper that can make inputs "high" when left in the air, then you do not need resistor and you do not have to connect +5V to the input since it will be "high" allreaday. If not, try 2.2K resistor betwen input and +5V instead of 10K -  I think you'll have to have one resistor for each input you want to use that way (thats how I have it wired, all my inputs are pulled high, someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Then wire your switches and/or probe so they are "N.O." - normaly open. When contact is closed it should bring 0V line to input pin (bringing it "down" into "low" state). Mach should be configured for that input(s) so that active state is low ("Active low").
Now, I have 0VDC and AC ground on the same potential - my PSU has it internaly shorted, but your PSU most probably may not have it, so you'll have to short it yourself so you bring 0VDC to tool. Since your tool is now grounded (probably via router frame) and ground is shorted to 0VDC, it may introduce noise into system, so you may need to use capacitor (0.1uF) between input line and ground to filter it out (capacitor lets AC pass and blocks DC) - i do not need/use it, and I have only read about it (no expirience there).

BTW. re AC ground and 0VDC, 0VDC is reference potential for signal lines from which DC voltages are measured, and AC ground is used for safety, so that if any current appears on metal parts exposed to touch (where it would be hazardous) it would go to ground through that wire instead through you.

For the conversation sake, what would happen if 24VAC present on router case/tool was sent to ground via capacitor ? Does it depend on the current source/magnitude available on that 24VAC, and if so how can that current magnitude be measured ?

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behavior with probe wiring

« on: May 04, 2014, 11:17:04 AM »

C10 inputs are normaly grounded when left in the air, so you have to supply +5V to bring them up or modify BOB so that input is normaly high.
Try doing a test with router unplugged. Try measuring voltage between tool and BOB ground when router is plugged in (AC and DC). That may give you clues what's going on.
I think that all this can be avoided if tool is grounded on BOB side only and pull up resistor is used on input like i described earlier...My Kress is not normaly grounded via AC plug...
I wanted to do similar thing (isolate router from frame) so i could use moving bed/table instead of PCB to close connection... but figured it was asking for trouble