Messages

251

General Mach Discussion / OEM LED codes for Output7 - Output20

« on: September 01, 2010, 11:31:29 AM »

Are there OEM LED codes for the higher numbered Outputs?  Can't seem to find them anywhere?

Mainly Output20, 19, 18 and 17

Thanks,
JH

252

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / User Interface and Control 1 of n

« on: August 26, 2010, 05:49:29 PM »

After selling off all the stock controls and hardware a while back, the cabinet is nice and empty.  Starting with the LCD Screen first, my plan is to cut the opening a little and mount the screen inside.  I have a keyboard with trackball on some of the other machines and like that so I plan to do the same on this project.  Not a big fan of touch screens, I like buttons and lights.  The MPG will be fixed to the cabinet similar to the stock control.  This should leave a large section for button and lights and with self on the bottom for small tools and stuff.

For the I/O hardware, I am using a PoKeys USB device.  I haven’t messed around with it more than a couple of hours, but so far it’s working great.  

External Button Feature wise, I plan to have the flowing:

eStop/Reset with Red LED

Cycle Start with Green LED, Feed Hold, Stop,

Coolant with Blue LED,

MPG, Axis selection, Axis resolution

Feed override, RPM override

Open for ideas here….  What would you add if you could do it over?

253

General Mach Discussion / Re: Driver watch dog?

« on: August 25, 2010, 05:28:14 PM »

I think the watchdog is trigger when the main kernel loop is not serviced fast enough.  That is if you using CPU cycles for doing other things than processing G-Code and updating the ports and pins ( like moving the tool display while running ). 

Your Mach3 kernel speed might be set to high for your PC/CNC System.

JH

254

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 1987 Bridgeport Production Center Interact 412 to Mach3 Conversion

« on: August 25, 2010, 02:55:05 PM »

What controller was originally on your 412???

Heidenhain TNC 155

255

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Spindle Orientation Part 2 of 2

« on: August 23, 2010, 03:13:21 PM »

The DC Servo Motor was successful in that it could turn the large spindle when connected to a simple DC Power Source.  However, as servo system it was very difficult to tune and had problems controlling the large load at low RPMs.

Since the application needs high torque at low speeds, we tried a large stepper motor.  This method seems to work well.  I used some relays to disconnect the motor outputs from the stepper driver when the spindle is running and only connect them when we want to orientate the spindle for a tool change.  This might not be the best solution, but it is working for now. 

We have ran the test over a 1000 times with success.  The deceleration of the motor from the home sensor was an issue at first, in the video you can see that make sure the motor is at full speed before looking for the home switch.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xo_WdSXmuWg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/Xo_WdSXmuWg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1</a>

256

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Mach3 PlugIn – What am I missing ?

« on: August 17, 2010, 05:05:34 PM »

BTW: I got a HOG (Ultra-Classic:  Three rear hard bags are the wifes purse, the little pocket on the fairing is where I get to keep my stuff....), so I would LOVE to see some pics of your chops!! (and any custom parts you sell/make?).
Scott

Ultra is a great bike for riding 2 up.  RoadKing for me and the wife when we ride.  This is my chop below, it started out a stock softail FXSTC



If you want see more and the parts we make, check out www.jhchoppers.com

Thanks,
JH

257

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Mach3 PlugIn – What am I missing ?

« on: August 17, 2010, 10:51:25 AM »

Looking forward to a manual / user guide for the Mach3 Plug-In.  If its as good as the manual for the PoKeys software, then it will be a success!

So far the PoKeys hardware and PoKeys software is very nice, just getting started with Mach3 Plug-In.

JH

258

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Mach3 PlugIn – What am I missing ?

« on: August 16, 2010, 02:25:38 PM »

First time using the PlugIn Control feature of Mach3.  I now see you have to enable each PlugIn.

259

PoKeys / PoKeys Mach3 PlugIn – What am I missing ?

« on: August 16, 2010, 12:51:21 PM »

Got my new PoKeys hardware today and connected it to my USB port.  Installed the PoKeys55 v2.1.14 software and updated the firmware on the hardware to v2.1.14[Aug 13 2010], this is all working just fine.

Then download the Mach_Pk_plug10-3.zip and ran the Mach_Pk_plug_10.3.msi installer.  It seems to install ok, as it copied several files and created a folder in Mach3\PlugsIns called PoKeysres

I start up Mach3(R3.042.040) and but do not see anything under the PlugIn Control Menu?

Is there more to this?  Need some help getting started.

Thanks,
JH

260

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Our 2440 x 1220mm CnC Router Builds

« on: August 15, 2010, 02:54:20 PM »

Nice fabrication guys !!!  Very nice work.  Can't wait to more

JH