Messages

321

General Mach Discussion / Re: M3/M4 spindle reverse safety?

« on: February 19, 2013, 12:04:53 PM »

OK that makes sense Ray, thanks.   Any suggestions on where to find a suitable schematic?

322

General Mach Discussion / M3/M4 spindle reverse safety?

« on: February 19, 2013, 11:16:22 AM »

I'm adding a spindle reverse relay to my lathe (3/4 hp Baldor DC motor w/KBIC-120 controller) equipped with CNC4PC C11 B.O.B. with the 2 relays.

Is there a way in Mach to prevent the system from trying to instantly switch directions if (when) I mistakenly enter an M4 right after an M3 (or vice versa) in MDI or in my code?  KB says "DON'T DOO DAT!"  I should've held out for a deal on one of their controls with the reversing module built-on but I didn't think I'd want spindle reversing at the time.

Obviously I'll do m'best to always put in an M5 and a pause to let the spindle stop before changing directions but I know myself too well to assume perfection.

323

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 setup and threading help needed please

« on: February 17, 2013, 08:34:19 PM »

Going back to 057 has solved the problem

Well that's nice to know, thanks!

324

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can't get spindle to turn on, for 2 years!

« on: February 17, 2013, 12:14:01 PM »

Mach should be able to control this board with your stuff I think.  The KB manual says:

"Voltage Following Connection – A 0 - 5 Volt DC analog signal voltage can also be used to control motor speed. See Figure 6, on page 14. Connect the analog signal voltage to P2 (signal) and P1 (-) terminals.  Adjustment of the MIN trimpot may be necessary to achieve a 0 Volt DC output with a 0 Volt DC input.

Note: The input signal can be non-isolated or earth grounded since the KBWS has built-in signal isolation."

Link: http://www.kbelectronics.com/manuals/kbws_manual.pdf

Is the 540 0-10v analog out adjustable?  I'm definitely no electrical wizard but I'm thinking you can get it to work with what you have.  If it's not adjustable, surely there's a simple circuit to do the trick.  If not, the KBSI-240D Signal Isolator would allow a greater range of adjustments.  I've picked up 2 on ebay for $30.00 each plus shipping.  http://www.kbelectronics.com/manuals/kbsi_240d_manual.pdf

Maybe someone else with more knowledge can comment.  I got mine working great...some how.

325

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can't get spindle to turn on, for 2 years!

« on: February 17, 2013, 09:38:44 AM »

I'm using a KBIC-120 speed control on my lathe which receives mains power all the time when the machine is on.  The spindle "on" command from Mach opens a NC relay on my B.O.B. wired in series with the I1/I2 inhibit terminals on the KB.  Open circuit = spindle motor on, closed circuit = motor off.

326

General Mach Discussion / Re: XBOX Controller not working

« on: February 16, 2013, 01:35:30 PM »

OK, thanks.  I may give one a whirl later since son-in-law has XBOX stuff to spare.

It'll take me a while to learn what does what since believe it or not, I haven't had a game controller in my hands since an Atari back in the day.  (Showing my age now.)  Still got one up in the attic.  Probably dead as hammer with all the caps dried up.

327

General Mach Discussion / Re: XBOX Controller not working

« on: February 15, 2013, 06:39:41 PM »

Hey Art, how're you liking your XBOX gizmo?  Funny, I never dreamed I'd have any interest in using one but using the mouse & keyboard for everything is getting old.  The various other "real" CNC gizmos cost more than my budget allows so I may want to try one.

328

General Mach Discussion / Re: Soft limits broke in Turn?

« on: February 10, 2013, 10:27:40 AM »

The more I think about it, I'm pretty sure I had something wrong in the min/max locations or +/- setup.  It was all a big blur yesterday trying this & that, error messages, etc.  Maybe the time it took me to update Mach allowed some scrambled neurons in my brain to re-connect and help to set it up properly.

I'm just happy it works now.  I also saved a copy of the ORAC .xml and a screen print of the setup page in a safe place in case I screw it up later.

Man, I'm really glad you guys are here!

329

General Mach Discussion / Re: Soft limits broke in Turn?

« on: February 09, 2013, 08:52:01 PM »

I don't have a clue a/t other than the fact that my inexperience may have kept me from seeing some error in the setup in .022 that the later version was more tolerant of??

The changelog says "softlimits for turn fixed" in .057 so I took their word for it and updated.  Maybe it works OK on some but not all setups in .022  and was robustly fixed later??

Also, there were several driver updates for threading mentioned after .022 so I was glad to go ahead & get that out of the way as I've yet to try threading.  Gettin' close though!

330

General Mach Discussion / Re: Soft limits broke in Turn?

« on: February 09, 2013, 07:39:30 PM »

Sniff, sniff...it don't get any better'n this.  (Wiping the tears of joys away.)

I successfully installed .062 and all my previous setups still work!  I then set up the soft limits and they work great.  I like the little musical sounds the steppers make as they ramp down to a perfect stop on the dot instead of the dreaded mechanical knashing noises of a crash.  Very, very cool!

I know yer not a drinkin' man Robin but I'm gonna pour a couple fingers of Drumguish and point my glass towards Scotland in your honor.  It is, after all, Saturday night!:)

...changelog probably doesnt mention the things I mentioned but maybe?
Hood

The Changelog doesn't have any reference to .066 at all at the moment; .062 is the last one mentioned.