Messages

1751

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: stop or hold program correctly

« on: January 24, 2020, 03:44:38 AM »

Hi Katz,

they all use windows as real time
the use software for that ,Tpa use "RTX"  biesse use "Intime"...etc

Yes it is possible to have a realtime core running concurrently with Windows. Interval Zero have a solution called RTX.
Note that it is a realtime core, it is not a Windows core. That is to say that Mach4 would not run run in it but rather a
specially written subset of Mach4.

I investigated doing exactly this some years ago. The cost at that time was $16,000USD for the development software and tools
and then EACH system would require a runtime license at additional cost.

If you have followed the Ethercat development of Mach4 then you would see that Kingstar have partnered with Interval Zero
to craft an RTX realtime core that enactes realtime communication that Kingstar have made into an Ethercat Master.
The video banner of the Mach forum is of a Matsurra VMC making a part. What may not be obvious is that it is Mach4 as an
Ethercat Master, which is by definition realtime, and running Windows!!!!.

So yes it is possible to make Windows 'realtime' and its being done right now, its just that it is not really in the realm of the hobbyist.
I suggest you ask NFS, who will probably turn you to Kingstar, and ask about a price. My understanding is that if you buy the Kingstar
Ethercat software it includes the RTX runtime license.

Craig

1752

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and NVUM on Win 10 64-bits

« on: January 23, 2020, 04:53:16 PM »

Hi,
firstly this is the Mach4 General Discussion board, not Mach3.

Second issue is that NVUM is on our 'hall of shame register' of companies that peddle pirate copies of Mach3. Unless
you have bought a genuine Mach3 license you will get no assistance here.

Craig

1753

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 command stops since moving to Ethernet SmoothStepper

« on: January 23, 2020, 01:27:01 PM »

Hi John,
in the Mach4 Documents folder there a file called API.chm and in that file there is a DETAILED explanation how a plugin
(motion device) must handle a g31 code. Despite it being written for Mach4 its the same process for Mach3.


Craig

1754

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: stop or hold program correctly

« on: January 23, 2020, 01:18:52 PM »

Hi,

Was that also the case with Mach3?

Yes.

It is a problem with ANY buffered CNC program, that is any program that uses Windows. Because Windows is not and cannot
be a realtime system it MUST be buffered. Now if you EStop the contents of the buffer are aborted and the machine loses reference.

With Mach4 the default buffer length is 180ms. At any given time the buffered PVT motion commands will be 180ms or less. You can program the buffer
to be shorter (or longer) but then risk the buffer draining and then you get a 'run out of data error'.

Craig

1755

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Lua confusion simple switch spindle range

« on: January 23, 2020, 02:08:36 AM »

Hi,
it is my observation that the CSMIO plugins are patchy, this is a classic example. Mach4 has a defined signal but the CSMIO plugin does not.

There is a workaround. In Mach have the signals OSIG_SPINDLEON, OSIG_SPINDLEFWD and OSIG_SPINDLEREV be copied to three
regular outputs like OSIG_OUTPUT15, OSIG_OUTPUT16 and OSIG_OUTPUT17. Then connect those three outputs to three pin
on your controller.

Craig

1756

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Router running off the table immediately after starting a cut?

« on: January 23, 2020, 02:01:59 AM »

Hi,
you have answered the question, if you have set the default and tuning units to metric then I would call your machine 'native metric'.

Craig

1757

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Router running off the table immediately after starting a cut?

« on: January 22, 2020, 08:22:16 PM »

Hi,
you have set the native units to mm's not inches?

Craig

1758

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach4 UB1 UC300ETH

« on: January 22, 2020, 05:40:45 PM »

Hi,

XHC have never made a plugin that adapts their pendant/pendants to Mach4. The only plugin/plugins have been
written by users who have shared their efforts. XHC have declined to have any involvement, to be honest XHC is rubbish,
their Mach4 ready motion controller is that buggy no-one uses it, and XHC don't care.

Craig

1759

General Mach Discussion / Re: Red/CAM PDMX 122

« on: January 22, 2020, 01:37:14 PM »

Hi,
I would agree and support Tweakie's suggestion about getting an external motion controller.

I have had great sucess with an Ethernet SmoothStepper by Warp9 ($180) but ther are others like the PoKeys 57CNC
and CNCDrive's UC300. What I would avoid is cheap Chinese controllers. They don't work as advertised, and once they have
got your money they won't help. In fact you'd swear that China is in a galaxy far far away!


For $200 for an external motion controller and use your existing PMDX-122 breakoput board and you can use just about any PC,
including your laptop, including 64 bit OS like Windows10. Cheaper than buying a desktop?

Craig

1760

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Modify Mach4 Wizards?

« on: January 22, 2020, 01:28:57 PM »

Hi,
this post should be in the Mach4 General Discussion board, no doubt tweakie will shift it.

Is there any way to modify the canned cycle Wizards in Mach4?

I don't believe so. They are shipped as compiled code. They are proprietary code.
If you approach NFS with a specific proposal and sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with them
they may well give you the source code. NFS is generally supportive of users modifying and/or
expanding Mach4 to suit their purposes. On the other hand NFS has to protect its intellectual property.

Craig