Messages

11

Modbus / Re: Problems with communication

« on: August 26, 2007, 11:53:41 AM »

Thanks Graham. I will try there. I have looked at the yahoo groups in the past but I find the format and navigation of them rather confusing.

Mike

12

Modbus / Re: Problems with communication

« on: August 23, 2007, 03:28:23 PM »

Hi guys, I am having a similar problem with my MOD-IO. The whole MOD I/O is new to me but finding it frustrating... I have the Com Port COnrfigured correctly, and The MOD-IO is in its defaulty config, I have tried it on both my COM1 and COM2 ports and I get a flashing RED FAULt LED... UNLESS I change my timeout to something other than 0 which then clears the flashing FAULT LED and I now have flashing Red and GRN transmit and Receive lights.. BUT I still get a Receive Timeout....Any Suggestions/Ideas? I cannot access the MOD IO config it says no MODIO Present... I am using a serial cable that I have used many times for many things and it has never shown any problems.... I upped the timeout to 50 ms and I can get the config screen up. I cannot get any of the outputs to fire tho....

Mike

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macropump problem?

« on: August 21, 2007, 11:15:23 AM »

Brian, I COULD HUG You! Except it would be UN-MANLY Thanks Your code works great! I am getting a response out of my Screenset and hopefully will get this wrapped up this week!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!
Mike

14

General Mach Discussion / M Code Macros & Parameters

« on: August 18, 2007, 11:30:55 PM »

Hello all, this may be a silly question, but I cant seem to find any information on it. Is there a way to pass a parameter to an MCODE?
i.e. M1050 P234.5
Which would run the Macro 1050 with the parameter 234.5
I can Do this By breaking the macro down and having portions which require the parameter in my base gcode but It would be much tidier for me to have it all in one nice little Mcode Bundle.... Is this possble?

Mike

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macropump problem?

« on: August 18, 2007, 11:25:14 PM »

Brian,
I Think my Macropump is working..... But I need to get a Grex hooked up on my tests system so I can Check Inputs as Hotkeys dont work in flash. So I will let you know when I get that setup.
Thanks

Mike

16

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: G100, Mach3: What's features are not working?

« on: August 18, 2007, 11:08:23 PM »

Hey Guys, Has anyone done probing on the GRex ? Is it working? Any Issues?
Mike

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macropump problem?

« on: August 17, 2007, 01:00:18 PM »

Brian, I am working on this project in a couple of places, on the machine I use at Home which is networked with work and accesses the same Mach DIR XML etc I get the Macropump Thread dummy pop-up, but on my system at work I dont get the popup. I am trying to test out the input configuration etc, I have this in my macropumo code to mintor Inoput and set an LED in response to an INPUT The Output 1 get activated on a Software ESTOP but that is about the only thing that happens.....I have never had much luck with inputs, my own system has the triggers assigned to buttons and not using the macropump as I could never get it to work..... so any pointers would be appreciated....
Mike

[ Macropump code ]

ES=GETLED(0)

If ES=True Then
  ACTIVATESIGNAL(OUTPUT1)
Else
  DEACTIVATESIGNAL(OUTPUT1)
END IF

IN_LED1=ISACTIVE(EMERGENCY)
IN_LED2=ISACTIVE(INPUT1)
IN_LED3=ISACTIVE(INPUT2)
IN_LED4=ISACTIVE(INPUT3)
IN_LED5=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG1)
IN_LED6=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG2)
IN_LED7=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG3)
IN_LED8=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG4)
IN_LED9=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG5)
IN_LED10=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG6)
IN_LED11=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG7)
IN_LED12=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG8)
IN_LED13=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG9)
IN_LED14=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG10)
IN_LED15=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG11)
IN_LED16=ISACTIVE(OEMTRIG12)


SetUserLED(1201,IN_LED1)
SetUserLED(1202,IN_LED2)
SetUserLED(1203,IN_LED3)
SetUserLED(1204,IN_LED4)
SetUserLED(1205,IN_LED5)
SetUserLED(1206,IN_LED6)
SetUserLED(1207,IN_LED7)
SetUserLED(1208,IN_LED8)
SetUserLED(1209,IN_LED9)
SetUserLED(1210,IN_LED10)
SetUserLED(1211,IN_LED11)
SetUserLED(1212,IN_LED12)
SetUserLED(1213,IN_LED13)
SetUserLED(1214,IN_LED14)
SetUserLED(1215,IN_LED15)
SetUserLED(1216,IN_LED16)

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: More inputs or more outputs, you decide.

« on: August 17, 2007, 12:46:50 PM »

I Know its a lot to ask for... but perhaps some way of designating wether a pin is an input or an output, so we have the option of either? You can never tell what you might need untill you start putting the system together.

Mike

19

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Whats do you all think is the best way?

« on: August 16, 2007, 11:00:35 AM »

I am more concerned about the probing side of it. Initially I had it in my head that the system would watch the Reflective sensor to prevent collisions and then use the probing cycle (If that works on a grex) to actually grab the beam. The problem is I have two axis, so I need another Output to toggle the input from the probe from axis side to the other. I was just fishing to see if anyone else had a brilliant idea, mine all look tarnished to me
Mike

20

Mach3 and G-Rex / Whats do you all think is the best way?

« on: August 11, 2007, 10:58:08 PM »

Hi Guys,  me again.  I am getting down to the last couple of things on this whacky machine and I am not 100% sure how to deal with this, or what a good approach would be. Describing it here might even help because it sort of puts it all down... 1st I will Describe the element of the machine I am trying to setup.
It is a very long axis about 55ft or so, it is a Technics servo motor and drive based axis which operates a grabber/positioner. It will have a hard stop on one end which I am thinking of setting up as the home position. On the other end is where a large AL extrusion will be STAGED (clamped and held) so the grabber can grab the extrusion and pul it into position on the machine. The Grabber has a HS Limit switch designed to detect the beam when it is in the correct position in the grabber and the unit has a reflective sensor that leads the grabber unit to detect objects to verify that there is indeed an exrusiuon, or as a safety feature.... it's function and purpose is mostly theoretical at this time and i would be just as happy to not have to deal with it.  It could be used primarily as a safety device to stop the unit should it detect an object where there should not be one.
The operation of this axis is it would home itself to the hard stop, then when activated do a rpid move to a position close to the extrusion, then it would slowly move into position until the Limit switch detects the Extrusion in the clamp Then the clamp "grabs" the extrusion and the unit moves at a more sedate speed to the required position. My question, is how would you suggest I watch the Limit/detector circuit to control/position the axis correctly. Now heres the clincher.. I have two of these axis's (Mirror Images of each other). And While I am not a newbie at electronics, control and programming I am NOT an expert... any advice/suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks
Mike