Topics

41

Mach Screens / Setting a toolpath to Turning control problem.

« on: October 12, 2007, 05:54:49 PM »

Hi Guys, any idea why when I set a toolpath display to Turning control, it won't stay checked as turning control, BTW I'm using screen4.
So obviously it won't display as turning control, or am I missing something?
On that note, how can I use the toolpath to display as X Ø, Z left to right and A as the chuck, or is this exactly what the turning control does?

42

VB and the development of wizards / Well this counter has officially got me stumped....please help a poor soul...

« on: October 06, 2007, 03:22:41 AM »

Any thoughts as to why I can't get this counter to display correctly?

SetOEMDRO(1214,Remain)
Code "M98 P1 L10"
Code "O1"
Code "Z[#1-[#1*2]]"
Remain= Remain - 1
SetOEMDRO(1214,Remain)
Code "M99"

43

VB and the development of wizards / Is it possible to have code for the page number?

« on: October 04, 2007, 03:22:50 AM »

Is there a code that would suit this equation?

If Mach is on Page1(G Code page) then
Set UserLED(1020,1)
Else
Set UserLED(1020,0)
End If

Can I also force it to stay on the same work coord after the software is restarted, rather that reverting to G54?

Also on another note, is it possible to force it to Fixture Save when exiting the program, rather than the dialog asking?
Thanks

44

General Mach Discussion / Toolpath questions?

« on: September 24, 2007, 10:11:48 PM »

Is it possible to turn off "Reset plane on regen", I tried unchecking the "reset plane on regen" but it must do something else.
Also is it possible to show the tool in the toolpath window (pretty much the same as it used to be).
Because I'm using a mill I'd rather not use the side tool, which seems more for a routers use, I also like the way when the spindle was spinning the 3d tool would spin.

45

General Mach Discussion / Modio for inputs/outputs only - No motors.....

« on: September 23, 2007, 08:47:16 PM »

Hey guys, I'm looking at making a custom style machine that is only inputs and outputs (devices on & off) and maybe 3 analog devices 0-5v. (no motors though)
It would probably need approx. 25 inputs and maybe 20 outputs (3 outputs would need to be analogue)
What would you recommend to interface with this, I looked at Peter Homann designs, the board looks really good, I couldn't DL the manual though.
Can these be daisy chained to increase inputs/outputs?
I'm hoping I can buy 2 of these and use 1 as inputs only and 1 as outputs only.

Thanks
Darc

46

VB and the development of wizards / 2nd Parallel port card - Outputs....

« on: September 18, 2007, 06:28:11 AM »

Hey guys, another basic one for you, I've looked everywhere.
I know for 1 parallel port the outputs are controlled like this:

ActivateSignal(Output1)
DeactivateSignal(Output1)

But what commands do you use for a 2nd parallel port to use the outputs.
hhmmmmmmmmmmmm

47

VB and the development of wizards / Why this VB code works in the script editor but not when button is pressed?

« on: September 16, 2007, 08:40:51 PM »

All I'm trying to do is ensure that when RESET is pressed the spindles and coolant all turn off.
I have 4 spindle relays and 1 coolant relay.
It's really strange how this code works in the script editor but not when run from Mach, it presses the RESET button once and then I cannot re-enable the system???

Here's the code I have for the RESET button (M22)
'TURN OFF SPINDLE & COOLANT RELAYS THEN ESTOP THE SYSTEM
CODE "M16" 'Turn off all Spindle Relays
CODE "M19" 'Turn OFF Coolant

DoOEMButton(1021)'Press RESET

48

VB and the development of wizards / Looping in VB?

« on: September 16, 2007, 03:22:42 AM »

I've created a g code program that works really well for me, in my effort to make it more user friendly/idiot proof, I've made one of the screens have DRO's for all the variables.
How do I go about telling a certain part of the program to loop so many times in VB?
I've tried quite few different thing but I can't quite get it to work.
Thanks

This is part of my G code program that works:

#2=20 ;Length of groove
#3=6   ;No of Passes
M98 P1 L#3
M30

O1
G90 X0.
G91 G1 X#2
G0 Z10.
X[#2-[#2*2]]
Z-11.
M99

49

General Mach Discussion / Your thoughts on best tuning technique for servo's (mostly software question)?

« on: September 09, 2007, 12:34:29 AM »

Just hoping to get different thoughts on tuning servos, me personally I use CNC TekniX drives and I think they're great (Aussie, Aussie, Aussie oi oi oi).
I've tuned a few in the past and it's taken me a while to get them spot on, but hey that's just me.....
I'm hoping to get thoughts on the best technique for tuning them.
e.g Most people understand the theoretical principle of tuning a servo motor (me included), to tune the motor it needs to move (duh), but you need to set velocity and accell/decelll in Mach so the motor can move.
For me it seems that as soon as I adjust either the drive (power, integral, derivative) or the software it obviously has a direct effect on the other.
So mostly I'm curious to know what people techniques are for getting the correct drive tuning, and also setting the optimum settings in Mach.

50

General Mach Discussion / When loading program, I've noticed it doesn't display correctly until I REGEN

« on: September 06, 2007, 10:42:25 PM »

I think it's only been happening for the last couple of releases.
Anybody else having the same problem?