Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Macro to Output to Clamp

« on: January 16, 2023, 07:40:41 PM »

Hi. The Mach3 output, which activates a fixture clamp, deactivates with E-stop. I want the workpiece to stay clamped after E-stop. I also need to activate and deactivate clamp with a Macro during operation. Thanks Edward

2

General Mach Discussion / 4th axis setup

« on: November 28, 2020, 05:31:23 PM »

I am adding a 4th axis to my Mach 3 driven CNC. I need to swing 45 degrees from 0 each direction and can, by using a lever switch, use one limit for Home, --A and ++A . The question is, Can I eliminate having adjustable stops at each end by using the Home 0ffsets entries in the Motor Home/Soft limits dialog?

When you home the machine, instead of adjusting the limit switch stop positions to get the machine to find the correct zero, could you home the machine(--A), measure the position error and reset the Home Offsets to compensate? ++A would be for soft limits and could float a small amount.

Otherwise, If I say 0 is 45 degrees away from home why could I not say Its 44.8 degrees or 45.3 degrees? Thanks Ed Courter

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / WORK OFFSETS

« on: March 30, 2019, 06:44:11 PM »

I HAVE 2 STRINGS OF WORKING G CODE AND WOULD LIKE TO RUN THEM ONE AFTER ANOTHER AS ONE JOB. EACH USES A DIFFERENT OFFSET, ONE G54 ONE G58. WHATS THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS. I'M USING CODE FROM MESHCAM ON MACH3, THANKS

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Homing on the fly

« on: January 02, 2019, 06:21:27 PM »

I have a 30 minute plus program and need to re-home my axis about mid point, hands off, using code. I miss enough steps so that the end of the cut is out of position with the beginning. If I slow down for accuracy the time doubles.  I need to make about 250 so the time is important.  3 D Carving, using Mach 3 & MeshCam.  Thanks for the help, Edward

5

General Mach Discussion / Manual Referencing

« on: February 10, 2016, 07:23:48 PM »

When my machine is cold in the morning I have to reset most the home limit switch positions and then latter in the day put them back when it warms up.  I have XYZ fixtures to position a dial indicator to see this error.

My question is...  I can't find the command or a procedure to set the axis to home/zero manually using the error amount I know from the indicator.  I can put the axis where they should be but I can't make it reset (call it home or machine zero) to this position??

Or......  I have X when set with the limit switch, it is .006 off, can I make the machine reference .006 from this position, Thanks

6

General Mach Discussion / Home Macro

« on: October 10, 2013, 08:52:35 AM »

If you think you have your motors tuned for the max speed and are losing none or few steps, why would you not speed them up for long runs and "re-home" 1 or more times (while running) with code or macros?  Seems too easy, whats the downside?  Any tested macros available? Thanks Edward