Messages

81

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: January 08, 2015, 08:03:14 AM »

Yes

82

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: January 08, 2015, 12:13:10 AM »

Yes, the tool touches the plates ( both the movable and the fixed). I put my specticles on and seen it with both eyes. Heard it too and saw the LEDs come on.

83

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: January 07, 2015, 07:08:38 PM »

Got the xml attached as promised.

I set up and retested the Initial Auto Zero and again came up with ~34 thou of space between the height gauge (1-2-3 block) and the surface of the workpiece. I have it set for 1.000" clearance and used the 1" side of the block to verify.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that when I use the toggle toolpath on/off  button in off mode,  the toolpath still displays but is locked from being able to be manipulated in zoom/pan, etc., until I turn it back on.

If I set it to off and load a new file the new files toolpath doesn't show up until I toggle the display back on.

Now what's really weird is if I turn it off, then pull up the probing wizard (covering the whole screen), then close the wizard, when the main screen reappears the toolpath window is now solid white (black background before) with no toolpath being shown. Furthermore, when I toggle the toolpath back on it reappears with the black background.

I looked again in the manual and it only says it toggle the toolpath on and off. I'm confused as to what is supposed to happen. I assumed the toolpath off meant it wasn't supposed to be displayed, maybe to help slower PC's and I sort of confirmed that with going to the probe wizard and back. Did you intend for the toggle to lock/unlock?

84

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: January 07, 2015, 04:41:03 PM »

I will post a schematic on the beeper. I also have a four way rotary switch that lets me select turning on a row of LEDs when contact is made, LEDs + Buzzer, Buzzer only and last position is for nothing to come on. Pretty cool.

I wanted to be able to digitize and be certain that contact had been made with the object. This way I can start off with a Beep + LED, switch off to just the LEDs and when I certain that everything was running, be able to turn off the whole alarming function to the digitizer and let it run its course.

As an added bonus, I stumbled upon a grounding issue with one of my axes and discovered that I could also have the whole alarm scenario activate whenever I was homing any or all of the axes. Somewhat useful as I can tell the machine to reference, go about my business, but still listen for each of the three axes reach their respective home position. Maybe just a little bling bling but pretty cool nonetheless.

I'll need to go to the shop and get my copy of the xml later this evening.

Hopefully you may be able to find something as I'd basically given up on getting it to work correctly.

I've rewatched all the videos on your site just to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious.

85

Finished Screens /

« on: January 07, 2015, 09:27:47 AM »

Positive on correct movable plate thickness. I also have a beeper wired in that only will beep when physical contact is made (noise issue won't activate the beeper).

I'm also certain that my steps are correct as I've validated the Z with a DTI.

86

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: January 07, 2015, 12:44:28 AM »

Question:
In the 2010 screen set, these are my issues:
When I click on the double chevron, The Z axes goes down and touches the touch plate as it should, than it goes to the fixed plate. After it zero’s out on the fixed plate it goes to the work piece and ask to click the start button. Than it goes to the tool change, after tool change, click on start and it goes back to fixed plate and then to work and starts spindle and begins. I have touch plate .125 thick, but when it starts work it is .04 too high.
When I click on the single chevron, The Z goes down and touches the touch plate as it should, than it goes to tool change position, click on start and it goes to fixed plate and zero’s out. Than it goes immediately to part and starts cutting. The problem there is that it starts .125 too deep, Like it ignores the plate thickness altogether. I thought with the single chevron, it went to the touch plate, and zero’s out and then when you click start, it started cutting.
Can someone enlighten me on what is wrong with this scenario, or is it me?
Toad

I'm seeing the same issue but mine is 0.034" repeatedly. I used a feeler gauge between to determine the amount as I couldn't get my caliper underneath the spindle head.

Did you get this resolved? If so, how? I've used shielded cables throughout and besides, the amount is consistent so I don't think it's noise.

87

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: November 20, 2014, 02:38:53 PM »

Here the trigger:

I've read this thread all the way through, but I don't see any plans available on how to build the impact device. I've been through http://www.robotfactory.it/ site as best I could even with Google translate and still don't see one for sale or anything.

So does anybody wanna spend the time to post up some viable methods to make one of the gadgets?

Please?

I'm not the most savvy on schematics. I know there's a lot smarter folks than me that this is sufficient for.

88

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gecko G540, the A axis only moves into single direction

« on: November 08, 2014, 02:24:47 PM »

I was thinking the "+" and "-" keys are the defaults for moving the "A-axis".

So you changed them in the system hotkey settings?  

Make sure you aren't duplicating those keys somewhere and confusing Mach3 on how to operate.

Maybe post your xml and we can take a look.

89

General Mach Discussion / Re: Altering a Macro Help please.

« on: November 08, 2014, 02:19:00 PM »

Use "code" instead of "quote". It's the hashtag to the left of the insert quote button  <grin>

Code: [Select]

HomSigY = IsActive(5)
HomSigZ = IsActive(Cool
Xreferd = GetLED(7)
Yreferd = GetLED(Cool
Zreferd = GetLED(9)

If HomSigX Or HomSigY Or HomSigZ = True Then
        MsgBox("Home switch active...please deactivate before tool change.")
        Exit Sub
End If...................

90

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shielded wire for step and direction

« on: November 08, 2014, 02:07:50 PM »

I did. Seems like cheap insurance against anomalies, i.e., not much more $/ft than other wire and if you can afford Gecko drives I'm sure you could spend a few pennies more. <grin>

I was getting interference from something in the shop and issues with my steppers moving sporadically have mostly stopped. It certainly minimized the instances after I used the shielded cable.

On several occasions as I was booting up my control box and PC for the day, the closest garage door opener would activate from some sort of RF and the door would open! Seriously! Took a few times for me to put it all together in my head as to what was going on! I'd go to the side door to see if the kids were playing tricks with me. Once I realized what was going on and changed as much of my wiring as possible to shielded, the doors haven't opened since. (Yeah, true story).

Just do it; if for no other reason than to help troubleshoot problems down the road when needed.