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Messages - c30232

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101
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: January 01, 2013, 07:48:39 PM »
Hood,

Try these files.  Even after checking the manual I am at a loss as to how Mach manages files.  I hope I am sending the correct profiles.

Focus on the Z movement in plasma.  When I mash the page down key Z does not move but the Z DRO responds as it should.  The key moves another stepper.  I am not sure how complete this profile actually is, but the Z is indicative of the overall problem.

102
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 04:09:22 PM »
I will do that next time I have the memory stick plugged in and make certian that I am sending the correct file.  I still don't understand why changing the config did nothing.  And pray tell, how do I attach a file to the forum and/or send it to you?

103
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 03:50:29 PM »
John,

I, knowing that recovery was easy, did the lazy thing and just loaded the plasma screen in the functional mill setup and it seems to have done the trick.  Thank you!  I have bee focused on the table and have not delved into screens beyond knowing that the feature exists.  All of the operational functions seem the same but are triggered by a different GUI.  Thanks again.  Perfect!

104
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 03:08:54 PM »
Thanks,  I am not persuaded that it is a THC issue or at least a third party THC issue.  The issue seemingly resides in Mach.
I haven't even messed with the THC portion within the Mach Plasma, I am just trying to get x y & z movements.  When I installed Mach it presents three options for opening a screen, mill, lathe, and plasma.  Life is good in mill and I have never looked at lathe.  However, upon opening plasma even for the first time it seemed SNAFU.  If your Mach options are the same, would you be so kind as to have look at Plasma and see if it will move anything as it should.  It needs to hooked to a machine . . . the DROs move as they should.

If the forum doesn't have the answer where does one seek help for Mach?

105
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 02:09:06 PM »
Oh, the THC hardware is on its way for repair and no longer connected.  But if it is a residual of the THC, where does it live on the computer or Mach?

106
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 02:06:59 PM »
Excellent observation.  Except I had a hint of the problem prior to installing the THC. I wrote it off to setup and messed with the operational Mill setup.  Didn't delve enough to be certain, however, I have uninstalled all software and re-installed it twice.  The problem is still there and it is not in Mill. 

107
General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma axis swapped but okay in mill
« on: December 31, 2012, 10:06:59 AM »
Hood,

Tried that and it doesn't work.  It acts almost like the TB6560.  After I posted I tried lying by changing the pin numbers with no luck.  That is, I pushed the page down key and noted which stepper moved and then assigned that pin number to the Z axis . . . nothing changed.  The pins for the Gecko 540 are very easy to remember, 2&3, 4&5, 6&7, and 8&9.  It works fine in Mill mode.  We plasma has not worked from the start but I did not pay much attention thinking it was in the setup.

I just used mill mode for the learning curve during which time I thought  I would add a THC to the project.  Not sure that I really need a THC but I was amused by a rotary axis add-in that came with it.  The THC arrived by the time the table was ready to go.  The THC came with its own setup parameters and it was never necessary to perfect the Mach Plasma mode.

When the time came to execute the test protocol for plasma portion of the THC a board in its controller got fried.  However, before that and now the THC motion control and its setup worked just fine.  The THC used the aforementioned pins, 2&3 and so on.

When I set the Plasma mode using the same protocol as in Mach Mill and the THC it does not work.  It acts like it is locked and the pin values do not change anything.  I found a post with the exact issue but I did not see an answer.

108
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.

109
General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with setup & controler
« on: December 09, 2012, 11:22:35 PM »
Thanks for all of the help.  The table finally arrived and after some minor mods it is moving in a pleasing fashion.  The motors turned out to be 276 oz 2.8 amp

Mach seems straight forward and easy to use.  But I do have a few mysteries. The test pattern is parallel lines 15” long.  The Z movement is up 1” then down to zero.  Lazy Cam set a rapid out to 15” for each line which seemed good for a test pattern.  Feed is 60 IPM with rapid at 200 IPM.
 
1)  The Z while moving earthward 1 inch seems to pause or slow just before the end of cycle.  I am not persuaded it is ramping down.  It seems to pause and accelerate into position.  It also seems that X is starting its move at the same time Z pauses.  It is split second and hard to pinpoint.  It would likely go unnoticed if a torch or router was running.  However, there is a noticeable twitch on the DRO.

2)  At the start of cycle the X ramps slowly but only on occasion.  The rest of the time and throughout the run it accelerates quickly. 

The repeatability at the end of 100 lines was +- .001” on X & Y.  Z was better than ½ that. I have yet to determine if the move was actually 15”.   There does not appear to be any lost steps.

110
General Mach Discussion / Re: x & Y speed requirements
« on: December 03, 2012, 06:52:10 PM »
Rich,

Thanks, I believe I get the larger picture.  I understand that there are numerous variables including ambient temperature.  I can see the top of the mountain from here I just need a little help finding the trailhead.  I think now we slap together what we have on the shelf and see what it’ll do.  From there we can throw some science and money at it.

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