Messages

751

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 09, 2009, 05:14:23 PM »

I would try getting rid of both Brains and change your macros 800 & 801 to directly manipulate Output 4 to extend/retract the tailstock. That will eliminate any possible interaction with Brains.

752

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 setup parallel port question- help

« on: September 09, 2009, 01:38:38 PM »

Good luck on the PCI parallel port card, hopefully that will do the trick for you.

I just checked the links for the SS docs and they seem to work. What browser are you using?

753

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 setup parallel port question- help

« on: September 09, 2009, 01:15:43 PM »

If the axis DROs are changing, (a sign that Mach thinks everything is OK to move), you should be able to see the step/dir pins toggling. Try running the driver test program (in the mach install folder) and see if you get a relatively flat line. You can try to reinstall Mach's parallel port driver if that does not work you can try the 'special driver'. It should be noted that some motherboards (and parallel ports) just won't work properly with Mach. If you have an add-on PCI parallel port card you could give that a try.

I like to recommend the SmoothStepper to new folks as it removes having to fiddle with things to get the parallel port driver working.

754

General Mach Discussion / Re: Do i need a bigger pc for mach..

« on: September 09, 2009, 10:56:30 AM »

As I mentioned before it is an issue with trying to get Mach/Windows to do too many things at once; the LPT driver simply can't update at the higher pulse rate while Mach is trying to juggle an enormous file. So you have to do some arc filtering on the file to get rid of millions of 0.001" moves or reduce the pulse rate or go with an external pulse generator.

755

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 09, 2009, 09:25:13 AM »

I noticed looking at your XML that you have a couple of Brains running. What do they do? Did you move them over too? It looks like the combination of calling a macro followed by a pause might be the problem. I wonder what would happen if you put in some Gcode between the macro and Pause? It would not really be needed but it would cause Mach/SS plug-in to get into a 'Gcode finished' state before entering the pause. See the example below.

N30    T0101                       %(Set front tool)
N40    M801                         %(Be sure Tailstock is retracted)
N50    G0 Z-69.4   X40.0
N60    M3                             %(Spindle On)
N70    M800                         %(extend Tailstock)
N80    G0 Z-69.4   X40.0        %(***Do nothing***)
N80    G04    P1000               %(Dwell 1000 milliseconds)

756

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cambam / gMax

« on: September 06, 2009, 10:52:41 AM »

I'm not sure what you are after as they are completely different types of software. CamBam generates G-code from existing models/drawings, GMax is a 3D modeling package.

After a lot of requests by my customers I spent a few months reviewing all the CAD/CAM packages in the 'hobbyist' price range, CamBam was my favorite as it is easy to use, produces good code, and does both 2D and 3D. I liked it so much that I now sell it! For 3D modeling it is hard to beat MOI: http://moi3d.com/. It works great and it is easy to use. I like to use AutoDesk Inventor too but it is WAY more expensive.

757

General Mach Discussion / Re: Do i need a bigger pc for mach..

« on: September 04, 2009, 08:57:19 AM »

What is strange about the G0 problem is that there are only two reports of it. I've sold 50+ SS and have not had a customer have that problem. I suspect there has to be some obscure Mach variable being set in the profile, perhaps one not even visible to the user, that causes this. A similar now defunct mach Variable is responsible for a Limits responding slow on the SS, Greg found that problem and is taking care of it now.

Lots of teeny-tiny moves will make things creep as the machine is trying to accel/decel on every one of them. You might try turning on CV mode and see if that helps. When you combine a huge file and a high pulse rate you are creating a big strain on the CPU so the precise timing needed by the parallel port driver is not possible.

758

General Mach Discussion / Re: Do i need a bigger pc for mach..

« on: September 03, 2009, 11:56:09 PM »

i was running 60 000 hz and 1548.*

Ah! Now we are getting somewhere. Higher kernel speeds use up a lot more processor time, some PCs won't do them even under the best circumstances. It has as much to do with the design of the motherboard as it does with processor speed. Some new uberfast MBs won't won't at all. If you couple that with huge GCode files and a relatively small amount of ram (lots of page file swapping going on, lots of HD access) and the PC can't keep up with the precise timing Mach needs.

If you want to run really fast pulse rates then jump over to my website and grab a SS. It will pulse faster than you will ever need AND take a huge load off the PC making it a lot easier for it to handle the large files. (I'm not just saying this because I sell them. Given what your trying to do I would heartily recommend one though.)

759

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 03, 2009, 05:23:33 PM »

The symptoms you are describing do not strike me as having anything to do with any background processes that might be running on your PC. Since you are using the SS and not the LPT the processor load on the PC is less critical. I think it has to be some goofy profile thing.

If you want to you can post your current XML and a short bit of Gcode (like 10 lines) that replicate the problem and I'll try it here.

760

SmoothStepper USB / Re: G-Code execution halts

« on: September 03, 2009, 04:48:23 PM »

OK, it has to be something hidden in the XML. Please try creating a brand new one from the stock 'Mill' profile, just change it to use the SS and then set the Ports&Pins up properly. If that works then copy your macros over. I'm not sure what gets screwed up in a profile but there have been a few different reports on the forum of unexplainable silly things happening when a profile gets corrupted.

I had a call from a customer yesterday that started Mach up with a SS profile I sent them BEFORE loading the plug-in. After the SS plug-in was loaded it insisted on setting a bunch of things to default. Even when I walked them through the settings it still would not come out of fault. I sent them another profile (same settings as I was telling them to make) and it magically worked. Some strange Mach variables are being corrupted I would bet.