Messages

61

CVI MachStdMill (MSM) / Bitmap images not showing

« on: January 07, 2013, 03:55:53 PM »

I have CVI MachStdMill installed and was just going to try and add some new buttons on the User Exts screen.  

I was wondering why, in Mach3Screen designer, do the bitmap images not show?  Without seeing the images
I cannot place features in the correct position.

It just seems to be MachStdMill that is problem, as if I load other screensets, I can see the images on those!

Keith

62

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Sensor / Probe G31 assistance

« on: January 01, 2013, 06:35:06 PM »

Ah, I thought it did last time I used this code but it is a whole since!

Could you advise what I need in the code to actually measure the tool length, return to home and hence, give a daylight setting between the tip of the tool and the spoil board (where my sensor switch is placed)?

Thanks. K

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Sensor / Probe G31 assistance

« on: January 01, 2013, 05:40:49 PM »

Hi,

I am new to this, by the way!!

Right....I suspect that I was mixing VB Code and G Code!  I removed the While IsMoving and Wend lines and it now 'sort of works'.  It moves to above the sensor, rapids down 10 then moves down at 100 Feed rate until the sensor it touched (or switched).  I then back it off the switch by 30, then X0 Y0. 

But nothing seems to measure!  I expect it to measure the tool in the holder.

I think it will be a while before I understand all this, so I hope you don't mind assisting me?

Keith

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Sensor / Probe G31 assistance

« on: January 01, 2013, 04:32:58 PM »

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the prompt reply.  Apologies, but the quotes were just added to show that it is just G code and not VB.
the period was a mistake (my iPad !).  The actual code is....

G0 X31.5 Y30.2
G31 Z-50 F10
While IsMoving()
Wend
G92 Z10
While IsMoving()
Wend
G92 Z0

Just ran it again and it won't feed rate slowly.  It used to work fine but I can't think what I've done to the general Config settings to upset it!

Regards,

Keith

65

General Mach Discussion / Tool Sensor / Probe G31 assistance

« on: January 01, 2013, 04:06:00 PM »

I have been 'away' from my home CNC setup for quite a few months, due to work. 

I need help again with a few issues, and I'll start with my Tool Length Sensor or Probe (G31 code).  I did post about this subject a year ago but for some reason it's now not working!

Whilst I appreciate that there are plenty of threads relating to this subject, I find that most of them go into too much detail.

I need a simple macro to use with my Touch Plate which is connected to pin 15 and functioning correctly.  Below is the usual code that I have tried with my system. 

Firstly, it gives an error "Unknown word where unary operation could be Line 3". 

But...when running the code, it doesn't slow to the desired feedrate at Line 2 but keeps doing a rapid?  However, it does seem to trigger the probe but then it stops.

I'm sure this code used to work, when I was last at the machine but it was a few months ago.

This is the code I'm using...

Code "G0 X31.5 Y30.2.         // Position above touch plate
Code "G31 Z-50 F10".           // Slow until touch plate is found
While IsMoving()
Wend
code "G92 Z0"                       // Zero Z axis
code "G0 Z10"                       // Not sure if the rest is correct ??
While IsMoving()
Wend
code "G92 Z0"

Basically, I need the system to measure the length of Tool selected.  The bit I'm stuck with is what happens after the touch plate is found...I assume it needs to move back to the Home position and the length of tool will be known. 


I do have an ATC with six tools, but if anyone can help in adapting the above code so that it works on its own for now, that would be great.

Keith

66

General Mach Discussion / M8 / M9 for Output control

« on: February 26, 2012, 12:52:01 PM »

I have a second LPT port (LPT2) which is used for an ATC and a couple of other relays.  One of these is
currently hooked up to a Laser Cross Hair system.  I have configured this to...

     Output #3 Port 2 - Pin 16

It works fine when using M8 (on) and M9 (off).  However, I'm confused with the M9, as I am also using this to turn off the ATC air solenoid (turned 'on' with M7).    I have a line of code similar to below....

     G0 Z-47.5    (lowers Z axis to place tool in holder)
     M7              (turns on air solenoid to release the tool)
     G4 P2          (wait for tool to release)
     G0 Z-40       (move up to clear the tool holder)
     M9              (turns off the air solenoid)

I would like to add an M8 before the M7 to turn on the Laser cross hair and then leave on, but the M9 turns it off again!

I suspect VB Code is the answer but trying to stick to G Code?

Keith

    

67

General Mach Discussion / Re: Missing last line of G Code

« on: February 25, 2012, 05:25:52 PM »

Simple as that.  thanks Hood.

K

68

General Mach Discussion / Missing last line of G Code

« on: February 25, 2012, 05:06:31 PM »

Quite difficult to describe,  but I'll try......I'm running Mach3 v .022 with Calypso's MachStdMill screen set .

It's been running fine, although the machine is still being constructed.  Just noticed that the G Code is clipping the last line off.
In other words, the last line is missing.  However, if I 'Edit' the code, the last line is there!

I've shut down and rebooted, tried loading a different G Code file, tried another screen set but the issue is still there.

Any ideas?

Keith

69

General Mach Discussion / G31 Probe

« on: February 12, 2012, 04:10:26 PM »

Whilst I appreciate that there are plenty of threads relating to this subject, I find that most of them go into too much detail.

I need a simple macro to use with my Touch Plate which is connected to pin 15 and functioning correctly.  Below is the usual code that I have tried with my system.  It works OK but I need to take it further

Code "G0 X31.5 Y30.2.         // Position above touch plate
Code "G31 Z-50 F10".           // Slow until touch plate is found
While IsMoving()
Wend
code "G92 Z0"                       // Zero Z axis
code "G0 Z10"                       // Not sure if the rest is correct ??
While IsMoving()
Wend
code "G92 Z0"

Basically, I need the system to measure the length of Tool selected.  The bit I'm stuck with is what happens after the touch plate is found...I assume it needs to move back to the Home position and the length of tool will be known.  


I do have an ATC with six tools, but if anyone can help in adapting the above code so that it works on its own for now, that would be great.

Keith

70

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool-Changer and LPT2

« on: February 10, 2012, 05:14:11 AM »

Ah right...understood.  Thanks Hood!