Topics

11

General Mach Discussion / Move to machine Zero

« on: November 10, 2014, 03:55:09 PM »

I am using screen commands and not file posted G-Code strings. While working with offsets, I would like to send the machine to machine Zero.  I set G28 and it works well except I am not able to control the speed.  Is there a code that will send the machine to Zero and set the speed too?  Also, I am have similar problems wit the Jog++ and Jog -- using OEM 314.  Is there a way to set the jog or any equal command to move at a specified and locked speed that is not a percentage variable? 

12

General Mach Discussion / DRO Script help.

« on: November 08, 2014, 11:10:15 PM »

I am using the below script to move a gantry move or specifically a selectable rip fence for a gang-rip saw.  I need help redefining the DRO in the script from User DRO to X DRO.

Distance = GetUserDRO(1008)

Code "g90 G0 X" & distance & "A" & distance

The User DRO is the value of the coordinate used to position the fence.  I would like to capture the value from from the Y axis DRO in place of the user DRO.. The User DRO is a manual entry.  The Y axis DRO would be derived from the jog movement of Y which drives a laser line.

Thus the distance + X DRO rather than the user DRO.   

13

General Mach Discussion / Simultaneous of X and Y

« on: November 04, 2014, 05:29:07 PM »

I would like to move un-slaved x and y at exactly the same time to an entered value.  The movement is a gantry having two individual stepper drive screw actuators.  I am using the below to move a single actuator and I have been able to modify it to move both actuators, however, when that occurs, the first actuator positions and the second actuator follows.  But, I haven't figured out of to get simultaneous movement of x and y.   

Distance = GetUserDRO(1001)

Code "g90 g0x" & distance

14

General Mach Discussion / Driver watchdog triggered.

« on: August 10, 2014, 02:06:34 PM »

I have used Mach in a given configuration with great success.  The OS is XP-SP3 and the only added hardware is/was a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse.  It worked flawlessly.  If it ain't broke don't fix it, however, my trusty assistant decided that we needed wireless communication with the network and an app to run the iPad as a pendant.  Upon installation of the aforementioned the system went south and displayed "Driver watchdog triggered."  Mach then transitions to all stop.

We tried a verity of remedies with no luck.  I then reformatted the HD and installed the following:

1)  Windows XP

2)  Mach 3

3) The OEM touchscreen driver.

The system seemed to be fine running with a wired keyboard and touchscreen.  I plugged the wireless mouse in and coincidentally/incidentally the system transitioned into all stop displaying again "Driver watchdog triggered."

Keeping in mind that the configuration once worked and we started with a newly formatted HD, are there any ideas regarding the issue causing the watchdog trigger?  With clean installs and a dedicated computer there are no added components that were not present when the system functioned flawlessly.

Is watchdog required to be enabled?  If disabled, what is the downside? 

     

     

15

General Mach Discussion / Mach as a linear indexer help

« on: February 19, 2014, 03:46:52 PM »

I would like to move/index a fence with Mach.  To be efficient it would require that the move to value could be entered and retained in a data-field or MDI window.  A start button adjacent to the field would command the movement to the entered value.  There would be several button/fields.  Thus the operator would enter the various values at the begging of the operation and then simply press the appropriate button for the desired fence location.  That is, 1",  2 1/2 ", 4" and so on.  A button command script  to move the axis that calls up the variable entered in the data-field??? 

Please help.           

16

General Mach Discussion / Control crash, CNC router?

« on: February 12, 2014, 03:53:19 AM »

4' X 8' 3 axis gantry with 4 motors.  Y and A are slaved

I have advanced from jogging and homing to running an 8" x  8" carving that took about 4 1/2 hours of run time.  Life was good and I thought it was time to run the router problem free.  However, during a table surfacing operation I experienced a crash or runaway machine.  The operation is thus:

Z is constant at table level

Y moves positive the diameter of the cutter and holds

X moves the width of the table.

Y is a two motor gantry slaved with A counter rotating

During the operation X stopped its travel and Y attempted to move without command, however, A is reversed.  The event occurred three times with varied movements of X and Z, but all included the similar Y movement and resulting gantry torquing.

Any ideas where the destructive commands are coming from?     

17

Tangent Corner / Campbell Designs BOB documentation help.

« on: February 02, 2014, 09:43:15 PM »

I am installing a Campbell Design Combo BOB.  I am unable to access the Campbell site to download the manual.  Does anybody have a pdf manual that could be forwarded?

18

General Mach Discussion / Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill

« on: December 30, 2012, 10:41:42 PM »

I have been messing with Mach in mill mode and it seems easy and straight forward.  I have used Mach in a third party THC mode for plasma table motion, again easy and straight forward.  However, when I open Mach in the plasma mode the axis are swapped.  I reckon I could change the stepper leads but that would not identify or solve the the issue.  How do I assign the axis within Mach to match the output.

19

General Mach Discussion / x & Y speed requirements

« on: December 02, 2012, 04:27:55 PM »

What are the target x&y speeds for a plasma table?  I know . . . it depends.  But what is a ballpark top speed required in IPM for cutting light gauge sheet metal?  Maintaining a NEMA 23 stepper, what is the useful upper rpm limit?

20

General Mach Discussion / Help with setup & controler

« on: November 24, 2012, 03:46:59 PM »

Brief history: Circa 2002 I cobbled together a 3 axis ball screw desktop router for machining cast acrylic.  It was assembled with parts inventory from a soon to be out of business machine manufacturer.  The controller is PC based and runs DOS software through an undocumented proprietary 3 axis controller/driver.  There were/are no manuals.  Through a process of smokeless trial and error I was able to wire and configure the machine to run and it has done so for ten years.  However, I am concerned that one day when it is need most the thing will just give up the ghost and we will be in a jamb.  Therefore, I am attempting to establish a new control for it before that bad day arrives.

Immediate goal:  1) to cause an Oriental PH264-01 4V 1.1A stepper to twist. 2) Control a new plasma table.

Long term goal:  1) re-control the desktop router.  2)  Re-control a Techono 2 axis stage.  3) Refit or re-control a Thermwood router.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Problem of the day: the Stepper won’t twist!!!  I purchased a TB6560 4 axis control/driver and 12V power supply off eBay.  The selection was made because the item was cheap, within 10 miles, and could be retrieved immediately.  The control package included Mach 3 and a license.  The first install of Mach seemed okay but we discovered the absence of the proper communication port.  I know nothing about this magic!!!

I have/had 3 industrial touch screen computers (Pentium III 1.26 GHz 512) that seemed perfect for the task. All three computers are identical, reformatted, and freshly installed with XP Pro. The install seemed okay but when an attempt was made to run the controller the system (computer) crashed and is now DOA.  Really DOA!!!  I am not sure whether the death is coincidental or incidental.  No worries we have spares.  The second attempt on the number two machine ended in an unrecoverable crash, however, it is not DOA.  Third time is a charm . . . why not trash all three?  Any comments on the DOA and crash would be appreciated.

The third computer and install seem okay.  No crash yet.  The controller does not seem DOA.  Mach seems to do its thing.  On my existing desktop the steppers will lock when power is applied to the controller/drive.  This does not occur with the TB6560.  Should it?  Mach and the TB6560 seem to communicate at some level but will not twist the stepper.  The step and direction pins as reported for/by  TB6560 are not correct.

The step and direction for X are now set at 4 and 8.  Jog does nothing but when the motor shaft is turned slightly by hand the jog will return the shaft a step to a lock condition.  The stepper is a six wire that I believe is wired correctly.