Messages

91

LazyCam (Beta) / Lead Ins/Outs

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:28:15 AM »

Anybody but me having problems with in the new LazyCAM?

I have them turned on in the Loading Options.  But, there are no Lead Ins/Outs there after a part loads, or after I hit the CLEAN button.

However, I can click a layer and pick the Layer Leadin Button.  It says it's set to ON and Auto.  If I pick inside or outside, a lead in is added.  From that point, they do fine.

92

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macro Pump

« on: May 04, 2007, 09:01:32 AM »

Many thanks for all the help in deciding what to do here.  So you'll know, here's what I decided to do.


Page #1 has only a few things posted.  It has the Reset button, a Datum button (Seek home limits button), Ticker0, Ticker1, and Userlabel1.  That's it.

I left Ticker0 on all pages so it runs if you need to reset.  But to reset, you have to go to page #1.  Reset is ONLY on the first page.

I set the Reset button to run a VB Script.  The script says:

     SetTicker 1, "Press the Datum Button to Home the Machine"
     DoOEMButton(1021)

Note that I put the setticker line first, because it won't run otherwise.  So, what happens when my version of Mach3 boots is an initial screen that has a flashing Reset button, and Ticker0 is scrolling saying to "Press Reset".  When Reset is pushed, that starts the Ticker1 line telling the operator to "Press the Datum Button", and it enables the drives as usual.

The Datum Button on my system seeks the limit switches:

   rem DoButton( 24 )  (I don't have a Z-Axis on this machine)
   DoButton( 22 )
   DoButton( 23 )
   SetUserLabel 1, "Machine Homed"

Note that when the limits are found, I post a static Label that tells you that the machine "Homed" successfully.

This doesn't actually force seeking the limits before the machine will run.  I've decided that's OK.  I think the habit will be to seek the limits as instructed, but if you don't want to for some reason, you can skip that step.

93

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macro Pump

« on: May 03, 2007, 02:21:22 PM »

Wayne,

I think you are on the right track.

I think adding it to the reset button should work, I just don't know how to do it!

In my version, when Reset is hit, it would then say something like "Home the Machine".  But, I'd use a "Home" or "Datum" button instead of the "Cycle Start".

94

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enable Outputs

« on: May 03, 2007, 02:14:46 PM »

Chip,

I am simply pointing out that, if I load YOUR 1024.set screens - which already have LEDs for Enable #1-6 so I don't have to make anything, and then I activate all of the enables - only #1-3 actually turn on.  On my screens, which look nothing like the 1024 screens, for some reason I can only get Enables #1 & 2 to work.

You have laid out an elaborate scheme to make buttons, I've known how to do this for months and have made really nice custom screens using your Screen4 program.

Maybe I should ask a different question.  Do all the Enables work on YOUR computer?  They don't on mine - any of the three!  As I've stated many times, I don't need anyone to tell me how to activate Enables - I have #1 & #2 working perfectly, and if I can do that, I can set up the rest to work.

And, if the answer is that Enables work for everybody on the planet but me, I'll do more work from here.  However, I'm trying to find out if my THREE computers are unusual, or if there is a bug!

95

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macro Pump

« on: May 03, 2007, 12:25:57 PM »

Brian, I get what you are saying, but we are an OEM.  If I were doing this for my shop, I'd do what you suggest, however, I want there to be NO CHOICE.  I want the machine homed, not as a suggestion, but as a requirement.  Once homed, it shouldn't be an issue, warning, or even a thought.  Apparently, the best way to do that is a macro pump file, but I can't find any info to base that decision on.

Any suggestions on where to look for advice on macro pumps, userLEDs, and tickers?  Apparently, others know how to do this so I'm guessing it's posted someplace.

96

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macro Pump

« on: May 03, 2007, 11:36:26 AM »

Adding this to cycle start is not the idea.  I want to home the machine at startup, establish a 0,0 position against the limits, and then allow cutting parts.  You absolutely would not want to do this before ever part.

Code to do this is posted somewhere else on your Forum.

What I'm looking for is some basic "how to" regarding macro pumps, tickers, userLEds, etc.  Where can I find this stuff?

97

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enable Outputs

« on: May 03, 2007, 10:04:49 AM »

Brian - I already have two working perfectly.  That means that I activated them and set the active state.  I apparently can't get #3-6 to work - just #1 & 2.

In the 1024.set screens, I can get #1-3 to work, but not #4-6.

98

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macro Pump

« on: May 02, 2007, 12:45:48 PM »

I'm trying to make the operator "Home" the machine before anything can be done.  No problem there.  My biggest problem is finding documentation on how to set this up.

I'm assuming that I simply need to make the file in Notebook, put in the code, and turn the scan on in set-up.  But, I though I'd read up on this first.  I find references, but no "here's how you do it".

I've also been looking for info on how to set up userleds and tickers, and I've been looking for the place that Ticker0 is set up for the Reset switch.  Well hidden?

99

General Mach Discussion / Macro Pump

« on: May 02, 2007, 09:36:57 AM »

Where do I find a description of how to use a Macro Pump?

100

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enable Outputs

« on: May 01, 2007, 04:15:04 PM »

I am using one enable to actually enable the drives.  The enable output provides 5vdc to trip a relay.

I would like to use two more outputs to control another SS relay.  This relay is used to block the 24vdc output to everything until the system boots, and the operator hits the "reset" button - that is, the same thing you use a charge pump for.  On my circuit board, I've wired Pin #1 to the negative pin of the relay, and Pin #2 to the positive pin.  When the "reset" button is pushed, Enable 2 (pin #1) goes low, and Enable 3 (pin #2) goes high to turn on the circuit and allow the 24vdc to pass.

I've now wired this so my drive enable also provides the 5vdc for the relay, and Enable 2 goes low to complete the circuit to the relay.

So, I don't really need the other Enable circuits at this time, just curious why I can't get them to work.