Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / A axis toolpath display

« on: December 09, 2023, 04:36:53 PM »

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well.  I wanted to reach out to see if anyone could help with the toolpath display on A axis.  I am running Mach4 4612 build and am having an issue with the toolpath display for the fourth axis running parallel with y axis.  I have enabled the toolpath display in the setting menus.  Everything lasers correctly on the rotary axis without any issues, but my wife has started running the machine and it really messes with her not being able to see the toolpath.  Crazy thing is there have been a couple of times that it actually displayed correctly, but I haven't been able to replicate it and don't remember which program displayed correctly.  I am running a post processor without z moves, and z axis is always at zero with the machined homed.  I read through some of the other threads with the script editing, but it seemed mainly for parallel with the x axis.  Any help would be appreciated.  Its not an issue with the machine not being able to run, I just find it helpful to be able to see the toolpath.  Thanks in advance for the help.

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Help Please!!!

« on: September 10, 2023, 12:29:06 PM »

Steve,

I just rebooted everything a few minutes ago, and to my amazement now everything is as it should be.  I have not changed anything nor can I make any sense out of it.  I'm actually at a loss on this one!!   I am running build 4612.  I have noticed some issues displaying the toolpath also.  More especially on the rotary axis.  Should I step back a version?

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Help Please!!!

« on: September 10, 2023, 08:21:42 AM »

Later in the night I found another post which made me realize what you have just stated.  After hitting cycle start after MDI command, it turns the spindle on but for some reason has no regard as to the S(value).  I can manually enter it the rpm window and its good.  I haven't connected the spindle yet, but I am monitoring the analog output value with a mutlimeter. So neither MDI or G-code will change default rpm value, but you can type it in the RPM window and output voltage is perfect. 

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 Help Please!!!

« on: September 09, 2023, 10:39:14 PM »

Everyone,

Sorry I am feeling pretty rookie now.  I have set up 3 machines from scratch with Mach3.  I have been working on another machine for quite some time now.  I first set it up with the trial of SIMcnc.  No punt intended for mach, but I have been using the CSMIO controllers for some time now with great success so when they released there software I thought I would give it a try.  Everything was good but I wasn't happy with the smoothness of some machine movements.  I am quite aware that it could possibly be my lack of knowledge  with there software as documentation is somewhat  limited.  I decided to give Mach4 a try.  Within just a few hours I had all the axis functioning as they should, so I went ahead and moved on from the trial to the purchase.  I am struggling with the most basic commands.  For instance I can run my mach3 machines and through MDI:  type S1500 M03 and I have a spindle running at 1500 rpms.  I can do that in Mach4 and nothing happens.  Keep in mind this is an analog output for spindle control.  However I can set the rpms on the main screen and tap the spindle on command and it works flawlessly.  The voltage is exactly what it should be on the multimeter.  It just doesn't work through g-code or a manual spindle command.  I am running the latest version of Mach4 and I am sure there is something simple that I am missing.  If anyone could direct to a solution I would be grateful!!!!

5

CS-Lab / CSMIO/IP-A and MRJ2S

« on: January 26, 2023, 06:09:17 PM »

Hello Everyone!!!

It has been a bit, but eight years later I am working on another build.  Nothing extremely fancy just basic features.  I thought I would use components that I had to save some money.

Controller:  CSMIO/IP-A
Drives:  Mitsubishi MR-J2S-20A
Motors:  Mitsubishi HC-KFS23( Some with gear reducers, other not)
Control System:  Mach3 possibly Mach4

Having used the CSMIO controller in a couple of other projects, machine wiring and I/O was pretty straight forward.  So I currently have my drawing and everything readily mapped out for whichever control system I decide to use. 

Now this is my first attempt at analogue control with servos.  I have used Yaskawa with step/dir control with great success.  However I do not remember spending so much time with my head buried in a servo manual.  So the analog controller is monitoring the encoder pulses.  However there are several parameters that have to be set accordingly in the amplifier.

Motor output is 131,072 pulses/rev.
Electronic gearing not relevant in Speed Mode based on what I read.(see attached snippet)
However parameter 27(attached snippet) allows for encoder pulse output modifications
Parameter 54 allows to actually use a dividing count thereof.

I am trying to figure out what all my step values per pulse are going to be, but not really understanding completely what the end values will be based amplifier output pulse.  I assume that the amplifier encoder output pulse is the signal that will end up at my controller.  I have a target value pusle/rev that the controller likes and best I can tell I can accommodate that.  If some one could further explain the attached parameters so I can better understand it would greatly appreciated.

Also is anyone currently using the drives and controller setup.

Thanks!!!

6

CS-Lab / Which Laser to Choose!!!!

« on: November 30, 2019, 09:34:47 PM »

Hey guys!!!!

It's been a bit since my last post.  I am currently debating adding a laser to my existing machine, or just building another one.  I have most stuff to build a new one, but would rather integrate to the other machine to see how it works before building a stand alone.

Here are my current choices:

1)  Opt Laser
2)  J tech Laser
3)  Endurance Laser

I will be controlling with a CSMIO/ip-m.  Pros and cons, or any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

7

General Mach Discussion / Lathe control panel!!!

« on: March 14, 2018, 10:09:33 PM »

Hey guys!!!  I'm looking for some feedback. I'm going to start on my lathe control panel. I have plenty of inputs available so I plan on adding manual push buttons.  What type of controls did you all add?  What do you wish you would have added?  I'm planning on the following:

1). MPG wheel
2). Start/Stop and Feed Hold
3). Spindle and Feed override pots
4). Axis Zero
5). Reference All Home

I'm sure that I'm missing something, so feel free to provide input. Thanks in advance for feedback!!!!

8

CS-Lab / Re: No motor Movement

« on: March 14, 2018, 09:52:32 PM »

Hello everyone.  Just thought I would do a quick follow up. Finished the machine this weekend. It's seems all my problems were self inflicted as usual. Thanks for the help provided!!!

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 and CSMI0/IP-A

« on: February 28, 2018, 08:23:36 AM »

I will definitely want threading.   I may send support an email and see what they say.

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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 and CSMI0/IP-A

« on: February 28, 2018, 07:34:04 AM »

I,m sure it’s the older version.   It’s been put up a couple of years now. To many irons in the fire!!!