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Messages - joeaverage

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6361
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: G-code execution from screen button.
« on: October 10, 2017, 04:15:59 AM »
Hi,
very low temperature Musa acuminate (kool bananas).

I'm going to suggest a wee work-around which will allow some flexibility and yet still remain fairly simple.
As it turns out initialising a string variable in Lua is not that easy because \ is an escape character. So the Lua interpreter is reading a line of text,
it encounters a \ and then treats the remainder of the line of text as an escape sequence. You can get around it by having two \\ in a row, its a bit
confusing and cumbersome.

Instead I'm going to suggest using Machs registers, means its easy to add a line of text with \ in it and also means its a simple edit if you wish to
change the name and/or file path to the Gcode files.

Fire up Mach go to Configure/Plugins/Regfile and click the wee green cross to add a new register. Give it a name like Button1
and as its initial value put C:\Mach4Hobby\Button Codes\Button1.tap You can expand the width of the column to see it if it makes it clearer. Ensure that the 'persistent'
option is checked. Likewise add two new registers Button2 and Button3 with the path and file as initial value. The description is optional and for your use. Hit <apply>

These registers now hold the path and filename, easy. Check now Diagnostic/Regfile and expand iRegs0 and your new registers should be there and if you
click on them you can edit them right there without delving into the GUI event scripts, nice.

I'm dreaming this up as I go...I would normally have a cigarette and a cup of coffee now while I thought some more....but I given up cigarettes...they were
damn handy at times like this.

Craig

6362
PoKeys / Re: Pokeys 57U - Spindle Speed Control
« on: October 10, 2017, 03:32:26 AM »
Hi,
I've programmed my VFD to work with Modbus/RS485 in Mach4, it was a good programming/learning excerise but it offed NO
advantage over what I had been doing. I was helping someone else to program, as I say it was fun but otherwise a waste of time.

To modify what you have to work is very straight forward and MUCH MUCH easier than all that programming.

This is why I keep harping on about finding the circuit diagram for the output pin. This could be done with two pieces of wire and one 5 cent
resistor! Does that sound simple enuf. Depending on the circuit diagram you may have to add a transistor, another couple of resistors and maybe
a couple of capacitors if you want some filtering, total parts cost $2.50. If you cant or don't want to use the 10 supply on the VFD you may have to
buy a 5V-15V DC-DC converter for $10.....shock horror!

Could post a few circuit ideas if you wish. Sure would help if PoKeys would allow me to download the 57U manual or you could find that circuit
diagram.

Craig

6363
General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3
« on: October 10, 2017, 03:07:44 AM »
Hi dwa60,
Bugger!...Double Bugger!!....The only thing I buy Chinese is chop suey. No I don't mean that but really the worst of Chinese cheat business tactics
seem to come out with hobby CNC products. If you value your blood pressure then ditch that board and get a decent one.

I use an Ethernet Smoothstepper from Warp9 but there are four companies competing in the 'value' end of the external controller market. They
each have strengths and weaknesses but they all work and all four companies back up their gear and none of them are Chinese.

https://warp9td.com/
https://www.pmdx.com/
https://www.poscope.com/products/pokeys-devices/
http://www.cncdrive.com/

Really should complete the list with some manufacturers of excellent gear but rather more pricey

http://en.cs-lab.eu/
http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/index.php
http://www.galilmc.com/

Note that all these motion controllers the communication link to the PC is either USB or Ethernet. Ethernet is faster and preferred but not a lot in it.
Note also that all these units have a software plugin that is resident on the PC to allow Mach to communicate with the board and to program the IC
on the board. All of the boards have plugins for Mach 3 and now most have plugins for Mach 4 as well if you want to step up. Given the number
of knock-offs floating around I would recommend buying direct from the manufacturer or their nominated distributor.

Should point out that there are a lot of breakout boards advertised but they are not a controller. They are intended to go between the controller and your
motor drivers, limit switches etc. They will work with a parallel port. Because they are so simple they are pretty cheap, but remember that requires
that your PC have at least one parallel port plug AND have a Windows 7 or earlier 32 bit operating system. Even then you need a bit of luck to
get a parallel port to work well. I used a parallel port for several years and while a bit cranky from time to time hard to beat for price/performance.
With the current prices of good external controllers its hard to recommend a parallel port unless you are stony broke.

Craig


6364
Mach4 General Discussion / Actions verses Events
« on: October 10, 2017, 02:18:54 AM »
Hi All,
have got myself confused again...looking at some buttons, Load G Code, for example. It has a Left Up Action of Gcode Load.

I have scanned thru the Lua script and found no Gcode Load function. The drop down list of Actions show a number of functions/actions for which
I can find no code. Am I correct in assuming that these functions/actions are coded in the core where I can't see/edit them?

All the events (left up, left down, clicked and lost focus) I can identify either the script or the function which is called within the Lua script. Presumably
I could dig around until I found the code and see/edit it.

While trying to de-mystify things I might as well ask what is the meaning and intent of Goto Page and Run MDI. Are there some examples I could view?

Craig

6365
General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3
« on: October 10, 2017, 12:02:02 AM »
Hi dwa60,
the USB board you pictured...you bought it recently? Does it have any supporting documentation or software? You are going
to need it.

Quote
Many Mach3 users won't offer assistance, as they've spent hours trying to help people, only to find out in the end, that the issue is with the chinese board.
this from a very experienced CNCer. If the board doesn't owe you too much consider
a Smoothstepper or Smartbob. The companies involved won't let you down.

Craig

6366
Hi,
kool, glad that you're up and running. Make sure to post the results so that others can benefit from your
experience.

Craig

6367
PoKeys / Re: Pokeys 57U - Spindle Speed Control
« on: October 09, 2017, 09:28:43 PM »
Hi,
I suspect that the output is open collector, so with a 5k resistor and a 10V supply you'll be fine. An email to
Pokeys Tech support probably in order, they may of course see this thread and chime in.

I wouldn't hook anything up until I were sure however.

Craig

6368
General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3
« on: October 09, 2017, 09:22:52 PM »
Hi dwa60,
kool shots. That is a USB external controller, not sure what one yet. Hoping maybe tweakie recognises it.

It will need a board specific plugin. Did your machine come with any software? When you plug it in to the PC
does anything come ip on the PC which indicates that its talking to the board?

Craig

6369
General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with machining holes and Z axis
« on: October 09, 2017, 04:37:36 PM »
Hi,
what controller/BoB are you using?. Just wondering if its configured for pull-up resistors where your drivers
might be active low. A conflict of that nature doesn't break it as a rule but can leave it very susceptible
to noise, ergo gaining steps.

Craig


6370
General Mach Discussion / Re: problems with machining holes and Z axis
« on: October 09, 2017, 03:32:36 PM »
Hi,
try velocity a lot lower then work up.

Craig

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