Messages

4271

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: ESS + Mach4 + Clearpath = Motor error input goes where?

« on: June 19, 2018, 01:18:53 PM »

Hi Tom,
kool. Did you put code in the SigLib table or code in the Signal script?

You have discovered the great conundrum about servos....do I make the following error window very small but then have to restrict velocity/acceleration of my projected moves
so that they don't fault....OR....set the following window wider and accept a less accurate trajectory with sufficient tolerance to employ useful velocity/acceleration toolpaths?

There is a branch of mechanical engineering that concerns itself with this tradeoff but it is intensely mathematical. Unless you have University level mathematical ability AND considerable
fortitude to follow/understand the maths involved don't go there.

Craig

4272

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mcAxisGetInfoStruct

« on: June 18, 2018, 08:42:35 PM »

Hi,
good point, the info must be there somewhere.

How does this sound for an explanation....pure guess of course...ALL the required data is held in Registers, aka
the pound variables, but the info structure is only ever populated when the machine is enabled. If the structure is
not formed, or complete, or current it effectively does not exist.

Craig

4273

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mcAxisGetInfoStruct

« on: June 18, 2018, 08:28:45 PM »

Hi,
is it possible that until the machine is enabled the info-structure/table is incomplete,
ie even if you could read the table it would not hold the info you require?

Craig

4274

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Implementation of physical buttons

« on: June 18, 2018, 07:40:49 PM »

Hi,
How many positions are your rotary switches?
Rotary switches can absorb a lot of inputs, you can multiplex them to reduce the number but it adds
very significantly to confusion and complication both electronic and software. If you have two four position switches
you would need 8 inputs without multiplexing.

If you have ports 2&3 of the ESS equipped with C10s you will have plenty of inputs ans so can avoid all that complication,
in fact should be fun!

By my count:
CycleStart=1
FeedHold=1
Stop=1
Rewind=1
Enable=1
Toggle Coolant=1
FeedUp=1
FeedDown=1
2 by 4 pos rotary switches=8
MPG=2 (single ended signalling assumed)

For a total of 18 inputs.

Craig

4275

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Implementation of physical buttons

« on: June 18, 2018, 07:30:14 PM »

Hi,
to implement this project you are going to want as many inputs as you can get.

Reading the manual for the C11 does not lead me to believe that pins 2-9 can be repurposed as inputs.
I would recommend the C10, you'll need two of them, fortunately only $23.00 each.
On the C10 you can nominate pins 2-9 as inputs, thus with the two boards you have 26 inputs and 10 outputs
not counting the C11 or C25.


Your C11 or C25 would still occupy port 1 and that would be the board to which you connect your motor drivers
and spindle for instance.

Craig

4276

Building or Buying a Wood routing table.. Beginnners guide.. / Re: Vibration problems in my cnc router

« on: June 18, 2018, 07:18:11 PM »

Hi,
do you have 'backlash' engaged? If so try turning if off. Backlash compensation is just about
impossible with circular cuts.

Craig

4277

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Implementation of physical buttons

« on: June 18, 2018, 03:06:38 PM »

Hi,
yes some coding will probably be required. The good news is that probably as few as two or three lines per button is required.

Craig

4278

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Are there any New screens for Mach 4 out there?

« on: June 18, 2018, 02:45:43 AM »

Hi,

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,36394.0.html

Craig

4279

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Are there any New screens for Mach 4 out there?

« on: June 18, 2018, 02:42:28 AM »

Hi.
under the View Tab click Load Screen and a list of the current screen sets will be displayed. Try them.

One of the particular strengths of Mach4 is its ability to be customized. Mach4GUI in particular offers many many options for modification or constructing your
own screen set, very much more powerfully and flexilbly than Mach3.

There is a video about some of the features of the Mach4 EditScreen functions, I'll try to find the link.

Craig

4280

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configuration problem with EStop

« on: June 18, 2018, 12:52:01 AM »

Hi,
just read your intro in another thread, are you using a parallel port or a USB external motion
controller?

From your intro I understand that you are doing your best to run a business with Mach3.
All development on Mach3 ceased about five years ago in favour of Mach4. Mach4 is very much more stable
than Mach3. Unfortunately as you are running a business you would be required to purchase an Industrial licence
at $1400...eventually. In the mean time you can download Mach4, either Hobby or Industrial for free and run
it in demo mode for free.

When trying to run a business the less hardware/software issues you have the better chance of making a profit,
Mach4 could be a good way forward for you.

Craig