Messages

2941

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: CNC drive AXBB-E

« on: March 09, 2019, 03:47:02 PM »

Hi Russ,
PMDX has a great reputation and a loyal following.

Steve has stated in other threads that the PMDX Mach4 lathe threading feature is mature. Further I understand that
it will accommodate either spindle index signals OR spindle encoder signals. What is not clear, at least to me, is
whether PMDX supports PID, however the tone of Steve's replies suggests not.

As you are no doubt aware Mach3 assumed a near constant spindle speed during threading operations to ensure accurate
threading and reliable thread synchronization. Mach4 is very similar.

This has traditionally has meant that the spindle motor requires much greater torque than that required by the cutting action
on the workpiece, usually with significant rotational momentum. If your spindle is not sufficiently powerful or you are taking
deep and aggressive threading passes the quality of the thread degrades.

Warp9 TD elected to pair their lathe threading feature with spindle PID. This means that with suitable feedback, either
index or encoder, the spindle control analogue output will vary in a manner to restore the spindle speed. Potentially
allowing the use of a smaller less capable spindle than had hitherto been required. I have attached a screen shot of the
ESS plugin Spindle page to give you a sense of how Warp9 have done it.

Craig

2942

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Call function in macros folder from button

« on: March 09, 2019, 03:04:14 PM »

Hi,
the button is a part of the GUI. Its code will be compiled and included in the GUI chunk.

Your macros folder will be compiled and included in the Gcode interpreter chunk.

I memory serves me, you have a m code m1000 do you not? That code calls your setDepth() function?

Then attach this to your button:

local inst=mc.mcGetInstance()
mc.mcCntlGcodeExecuteWait(inst,'m1000')

You may have trouble if the machine is not in 'idle' state and the GUI chunk does not relinquish control.
Try it out.

Craig

2943

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: CNC drive AXBB-E

« on: March 09, 2019, 02:15:09 PM »

Hi Russ,
to my knowledge the Hicon (Vital Systems), PMDX-424 (PMDX), 57CNC (PoKeys) all have single point lathe threading
support. The Ethernet SmoothStepper has added single point lathe threading within the last few months and  to support
that have introduced spindle PID which can be enacted with either index or encoder signals.

Craig

2944

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: sketcher

« on: March 09, 2019, 01:41:05 PM »

Hi.
what do you mean?

What is 'sketcher workbench'? I assume it is some sort of drawing program. If that is the case then no, Mach4
will not run such a program.

The normal course of events is to use a drawing or drafting program to draw your part. The use a CAM program
(and post processor file) to generate GCode.

GCode is the standard code required by the vast majority of CNC machines and for which CNC software like Mach4
operates.

Craig

2945

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: CNC drive AXBB-E

« on: March 09, 2019, 01:33:25 PM »

Hi,
to my knowledge the UC***** series don not have realtime support for backlash comp, single point lathe threading,
realtime THC, or spindle PID (index or encoder).

If there is a specific realtime function you require be sure to ask CNCDrive.

Craig

2946

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turning on the relay causes a 'limit switch triggered' error

« on: March 09, 2019, 01:23:16 PM »

Hi,
yes you could use Ethernet cable.

You should try to indentify the source of the interference and eliminate it if you can.

What you are trying to do is protect sensitive circuits from EMI. If you eliminate the EMI than you have protected
ALL the sensitive circuits in one go.

The most likely source of EMI is the spindle. Disconnect the spindle as Hof has suggested to prove it.
It may be something as simple of a line filter or even as simple as connecting your spindle to a different
230V outlet to your PC/controller will do the job.

Craig

2947

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: Hicon Integra Low cost stepper options

« on: March 09, 2019, 01:14:33 PM »

Hi.
if you want something just to play with then what you have linked to already will be fine.

If you want a stepper to actually do some work then buy a decent one to start with.
The determining parameter (after size and holding torque) is inductance, the smaller the better.
You may well find a powerful stepper, say 500 oz.in  but 4mH. A less powerful 400 oz.in stepper but
much lower inductance 0.9mH will perform much better overall.

The lower the inductance of a stepper means it can run faster without losing steps, always the Achillies Heel
of any stepper.

The next issue is the driver. Go for a driver that has the highest voltage capability.
Gecko 213's have a great reputation for reliability and capable of 80V, they are somewhat more expensive but good quality.
Leadshine AM882 also have a good reputation, 80V up to 8.2A, in the region $65-$75 on EBay.

The higher the voltage allows a stepper to run faster, it counteracts the inductance.

Craig

2948

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Where can I find ESS supported versions of Mach4?

« on: March 09, 2019, 12:42:18 PM »

Hi,
it maybe that the ESS is tested with a particular build of Mach but it still works fine on other more
recent builds.

I just downloaded and installed 4095 Hobby and my ESS works with it OK.

Craig

2949

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: Hicon Integra Low cost stepper options

« on: March 09, 2019, 01:33:05 AM »

Hi,
you are going to pay top dollar for a Hicon controller but now want cheap ( junky) steppers? Why?

Craig

2950

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: pay for help

« on: March 07, 2019, 02:58:12 AM »

Hi,
kool machine.

The single most important feature of Mach4 is its programmatic flexibility. Indeed I believe that is the key
attribute that NFS required of Mach4 because it permits/promotes sales amongst OEMs.

If you want to pay I would happily work on such a project. As I live in New Zealand that idea might not float!
Additionally I suspect your time scale is overly ambitious. A bullet proof software solution is not likely to
result from lightning development.

Craig