Messages

1851

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Unlicensed Mach4 on desktop?

« on: December 23, 2019, 09:44:44 PM »

Hi,

But let me ask who is impaired by the counter measures Mach4 implemented with the new PCID license restrictions?

PCID restrictions....really??? Have you used Mastercam or AutoCad latley? You want to talk restrictions then look to the CAD/CAM software market leaders.

Mach4 is the only software I am aware of that uses such license system. I have never encountered other software that required license renewals when changing hardware.

I am not familiar with any other software that is licensed in exactly this manner however NFS did not invent it. I will try to track down the reference to the name
of the system and who crafted it in the first place.

Craig

1852

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Unlicensed Mach4 on desktop?

« on: December 23, 2019, 05:07:57 PM »

Hi,

That's why I consider the license system of Mach4 a great pity.

I disagree....strongly.

With the open slather licensing of Mach3 NFS or Artsoft, as it was then, lost huge amounts of revenue. The Mach4 licensing is
not to prevent genuine purchasers from using the software but to prevent the lost revenue.

All of the developments over the last year alone, thinking script based THC, Zero Brane, mcSurface plugin and more that I have forgotten, derive
from the revenue that NFS generates. The more revenue, the more they can invest in Mach4.......employing a technical document writer to update
the product manuals for instance, the better. We as paying customers benefit because of that investment.

If we expect a 'professional level CNC software solution' then we must expect to contribute and abide the rules just as we would any other commercial
software vendor.

Craig

1853

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turn laser on and off for reference.

« on: December 22, 2019, 07:13:41 PM »

Hi,

Seems like it should be very simple to call for the laser to turn on at a certain percentage of power.

It is, you call  Snnn in Gcode and your nominated PWM output pin will assume a voltage proportional to nnn. This is how a spindle
is controlled and can be used also to modulate a laser.

M10/M11 are to synchronize the laser output to axis movement, a refinement if you like. You might choose not to use M10/M11
in the first instance just the normal M3/M4/M5 commands. The reason for M10/M11 will become clear then.

Craig

1854

Mach3 under Vista / Re: I need HELP !!

« on: December 22, 2019, 05:42:32 PM »

Hi,
this is an example:

http://www.leadshine.com/productdetail.aspx?type=products&category=stepper-products&producttype=stepper-motors&series=CM&model=D57CM31

439 oz.in at 6A but only 1.18mH. This will produce good torque right out to 1000 rpm or higher.

You might look at Leadshine's AM882 driver while your'e there, 80V and up to 8.2A

Craig

1855

Mach3 under Vista / Re: I need HELP !!

« on: December 22, 2019, 05:36:05 PM »

Hi,
there are many manufacturers most of whom will have very similar steppers....all you have to do is select the low
inductance ones.

Typically low inductance steppers have a high current rating for the torque they produce because they use fewer turns but a larger diameter wire.
This tends to result in high current but comensurately low inductance.

First time buyers look for the highest holding torque but overlook inductance, manufacturers know this and produce high torque motors
but have high inductance and consequently lose steps or stall above a few hundred rpm.

Its common to have from one manufacturer a 570 oz.in stepper say, and a 450 oz.in one say, both the same size. The stronger one is better right?
Well maybe not...the lower torque unit has low inductance and will still be producing useful torque at 1000 rpm whereas the high torque unit
will have stalled at 400-500 rpm.

The main way to counteract the adverse effects of inductance is to have the highest possible voltage drivers and power supply. At the current time the
highest voltage drivers readily available are 80V. I would recommend them. You need to match it to an 80V power supply, a transformer type is
preferred over cheaper switch mode supplies.

Craig

1856

Mach3 under Vista / Re: I need HELP !!

« on: December 22, 2019, 02:36:48 PM »

Hi,
those steppers have 3.8mH inductance, its too high for reliable operation at speed, look for steppers with half, or less if poss,
inductance.

Craig

1857

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to setup keyboard key to jog at a specific jog increment

« on: December 21, 2019, 06:37:22 PM »

Hi,
in the first instance you should look at Daz-the-Gaz's video on the keyboard plugin.

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=31585.msg219180#msg219180

Once you have done so open the keyboard plugin and define the key/keys you wish to use, assigning them to
Mach input/inputs mc.ISIG_INPUT30, mc.ISIG_INPUT31 etc.

Now all you have to do is put an entry in the SigLib{} table in the Screen Load Script, one entry for each Mach input
you have used. Each entry will include an API call to set the jog increment to your satisfaction.

If you have not encountered the SigLib{} table.....boy are you in for a treat! Jokes aside....I suggest reading my
.pdf on the Signal Script, I hope it may demystify things for you.

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=40051.msg267764#msg267764

Craig

1858

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help Please: Computer upgrade causes no communication with controller

« on: December 21, 2019, 02:22:15 AM »

Hi,
I've been using an ESS and Mach4 for five years....I don't think I've even got an .xml anymore.

Craig

1859

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Exit button for touchscreen

« on: December 19, 2019, 09:53:41 PM »

Hi,

Personally, I like the multi-line MDI 

Me too! I often write 'chesey' little Gcode scripts in the MDI panel then hit <MDI Cycle Start> each time I want the script to run,
so simple and immediate.

Craig

1860

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Unlicensed Mach4 on desktop?

« on: December 19, 2019, 06:05:38 PM »

Hi Roger,
Mach4's licensing is much tighter than Mach3 but not unreasonable.

With Mach4 each PC as defined by the unique PCID is licensed. With one Mach4Hobby purchase  you may have up to five PCs
licensed at once.

You manage your licenses on-line at the NFS website. If you buy another PC you can license it within minutes 24/7.
If you have a PC which dies you can (on-line) release the license for it  and get a new one for its replacement PC. You are allowed seven
such transactions in a two year period.

Craig