Messages

581

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 screen action/script precedence

« on: August 03, 2022, 05:22:06 PM »

Hi,

Action then script?

No idea. An action is internally programmed in Machs core whereas the script is part of the runtime ScreenScript. They do not run simultaneously
but rather consecutively as co-routines. The toggle button is a screen element and therefore the screen script must be running for the button event to be detected
and I would guess therefore that the script would run, given that the ScreenScript is the active chunk and THEN be released to Machs core whereon the Action would run.

This is just a guess.

Craig

582

General Mach Discussion / Re: NC Code vs TAP

« on: August 02, 2022, 06:07:23 PM »

Hi,
presuming a decent Mach3 PostProcessor in MasterCAM then .nc code will run, its just a different extension, the code within the file is Mach compliant.
I used MasterCAMX4 for some years and ran the nc code no trouble.

Craig

583

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mach 4 and Smooth Stepper homing with limit switches

« on: August 02, 2022, 04:21:51 PM »

Hi,
when does this fault occur? Is it while you are homing or after the mahine is referenced?

Does your screen set have a machine diagnostics tab? If so do the M0Home, M0++,M0--,M1Home,M1++......LEDs light up on switch activation?
Post a screen shot of the ESS Input signals tab, particularly the M0Home, M0++ etc signals.

Craig

584

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mach 4 and Smooth Stepper homing with limit switches

« on: August 01, 2022, 09:50:24 PM »

Hi,
the only other time that I can think of when Mach would ignore a limit switch is if the machine is homing. As you know most people
use one of the two limit switches (per axis) as a home switch. While Mach is homing it ignores limits and looks to the home switches.
If you have your home/limit switch assignment confused the mach may keep on driving past a limit switch because its still waiting for a home switch event.

For this reason I have 6 limit switches, 2 per axis , all on separate inputs AND three home switches, 1 per axis , and each on their own input, so
nine switches and nine inputs in total. Mach can never be confused about which switch has operated.

Craig

585

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mach 4 and Smooth Stepper homing with limit switches

« on: August 01, 2022, 08:37:00 PM »

Hi,
I doubt it would be auto-enabled, its usually only used when you have a cock-up and are outside the limits and need to jog back into
the limit envelope to get going. You need to temporarily disable the limits or the machine will be in permanent Estop.

Look on the Jogging tab to see the button.

Craig

586

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: mach 4 and Smooth Stepper homing with limit switches

« on: August 01, 2022, 06:07:50 PM »

Hi,
I've used Mach4 and an ESS for eight years and never once have I encountered a time where Mach would not stop on a limit event.
The only time Mach ignores a limit event is if the <Limit Override> is active...have you checked it?

Craig

587

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 USB version

« on: July 31, 2022, 08:59:31 PM »

Hi,

So the UC100, the UC300, and the ESS, are three different types of motion controllers?

Yes, thats right. Because you can plug a single port breakout board straight into the UC100, and because they've been around for nearly 15 years they are very popular.
There are bigger  boards with more IO, not necessarily better, but faster and more IO, the UC300 and ESS are good examples. You should look at the Pokeys 57CNC,
the Vital Systems Hicon and CSLabs CSMIO and then you have a good overview of whats on the market.

You will note that I do not include any Chinese made units, as far as I'm concerned they are all rubbish, and I refuse to pay so much as a cent for one.

Craig

588

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 USB version

« on: July 31, 2022, 08:34:42 PM »

Hi,

Craig

589

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 USB version

« on: July 31, 2022, 07:48:13 PM »

Hi,

I assumed you were suggesting that I ditch the USB to DB25 adapter and use an ethernet cable. I was wondering how that would hook up.

No. With a parallel port PC what you had was Mach and Machs Pulse Engine inside the PC, and you used a DB25 cable to connect to your PC to the breakout board and then to your machine.
Now, you have Mach inside the PC, connected to a motion control board like the ones listed,  connected by either a USB or an Ethernet cable, and from the motion control board
to the breakout board with a cable to match.

The UC100 has a DB25socket so you can plug your breakout board in without a cable at all, or use a DB25 to DB25 if you want a little distance between them.
A UC300 does not have a DB25 socket but has an IDC socket. So you would use an IDC to DB25 cable to connect your breakout board. The ESS likewise has no
DB25 socket and requires an IDC to DB25 cable. Often breakout board have in addition to the DB25 connector have an IDC socket as an alternative. In which case the
UC300 or ESS could use a cheap as chips IDC to IDC cable.

The point is that where you once had the PC and breakout board, ie two parts, now you have the PC, a motion board and a breakout board, ie three parts.

Craig

590

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Can't match Mach4 spindle commands to actual spindle speeds

« on: July 31, 2022, 05:19:31 PM »

Hi,

In the overall scheme of things is this a serious problem? No, but if something isn't working properly, we like to fix it.

Understood, and no issues with that. When I first started with CNC (Mach3 and parallel port) I shagged around for a long time trying to get the speed spot on
and in both directions....and what did I gain for all that effort....nothing. My regular 24000rpm spindle is within 10% or so from commanded speed and thats
entirely good enough. I could if I wished get it much closer but am I gong to make more or better parts as a result....no. Did I ever use a counter-rotating tool....no.

My current thing is adding a 4th axis, rotary at present but trunnion table in a month or two. I have just bought a years subscription to Fusion 360 Machining Extensions ($1200USD intro offer)
to take advantage of the fourth axis. What with the hardware Atlanta Drives low lash angle drive, Vexta stepper and Vertex chuck, the investment in dollars is well over $2500.
That's where I'm putting my time, effort and money which will help me make more and better parts.

Craig