Messages

51

Mach4 General Discussion / Lines in the tool path window

« on: October 23, 2017, 02:57:22 PM »

Could anyone tell me if I can make the tool path lines more bold? They are so thin on my display my tired old eyes have trouble seeing them.
Thanks, Art

52

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Modbus DL05

« on: October 23, 2017, 02:39:02 PM »

Just an update, my pci express serial card arrived I plugged it in and all is running fine I would not recommend using the USB to serial device from automation direct. Although it functioned fine, I even found if you unplug from the USB port and plug it back into the same port, windows can change the com port number on you.

53

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Modbus DL05

« on: October 17, 2017, 11:38:47 AM »

Hey Steve,
I’ve learned a few things about USB interface. I’m using the automation direct serial to USB adapter. First you need to pay attention to the communication setup. I used the default for the DL105. Which is 9600 baud, 8 bits, odd parity and one stop bit. Next you need to decide which port on the DL105 to use. I started with port 1. That is where I think my problem started. It seemed to work fine for outputs but wouldn’t read inputs. I changed to port 2, I also used slave address 1 in Mach while setting up the functions. And everything is working fine. I am finding that if you change USB ports in your computer It changes the com port in your device manager, it can increase the port higher than port 4 which is the highest you can use in Mach. I’m not real happy about that, so I ordered a PCI serial card. I hope this helps others.

Thanks
Art

54

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Modbus DL05

« on: October 12, 2017, 08:12:37 PM »

Thanks, I figured it out
Have a sparkling day
Art

55

Mach4 General Discussion / Modbus DL05

« on: October 12, 2017, 04:10:30 PM »

Can anyone help me, I’m trying to connect a DL05 to Mach 4 via the modbus. I’ve got the outputs working fine but I can’t seem to make the inputs work. When I check the modbus diagnostic window I keep getting a 131 invalid reply error. What am I missing? I’m running mach4 industrial.

Thanks
Art

56

Mach4 Toolbox / LUA help

« on: June 12, 2017, 05:26:12 PM »

I would like to know if you could give me a price quote for a LUA script for
my M6 Tool changer on a Hardinge CHNC lathe. I just received a licence for
Mach 4 and would like to retrofit my lathe.

In order to make the turret work properly I need 5 input signals and 2 output
signals.

inputs = 4 for the turret encoder and one for the turret down switch
outputs = 1 to lift and rotate the turret 2 is to activate turret stop dog.

normal operations are as follows:
get tool number
activate turret (lift and rotate)output A
wait for encoder to reach desired station
activate turret stop (stop dog)output B
deactivate turret (stop rotation and lock down)
check turret down switch (fifth input)
deactivate turret stop
recheck encoder position
if encoder is correct end
if encoder is not correct go back to activate turret line.
end


Here is a list of the conditions of the 4 wires coming from the turret
encoder.

0 = 0 VOLTS AND 5 = 5 VOLTS

common binary code

WIRE (input)   1   2   3   4

STATION 1    0   5   5   5
STATION 2    5   0   5   5
STATION 3    0   0   5   5
STATION 4    5   5   0   5
STATION 5    0   5   0   5
STATION 6    5   0   0   5
STATION 7    0   0   0   5
STATION 8    5   5   5   0

condition between stations is 0 volts

I also noticed while playing with the software you use tool 1 for a master
tool and all other tools are ref from that tool. Hardinge used a simular
approch only using tool 0 as the master, tool 0 would be the face of the
turret. that way if you need to change tool 1 it won't effect other tools.
Is this something that I can change?

thanks
Art

57

VB and the development of wizards / Re: M13

« on: January 18, 2017, 01:00:29 PM »

Tweakie,

Thanks for your input. Mostly its a learning curve thing, why I stick with Mach2. Also If it ain't broke why mess with it? That being said, I think it might be time for me to upgrade.

thanks
Art

58

VB and the development of wizards / M13

« on: January 17, 2017, 02:05:57 PM »

Hello Group

I'm trying to turn on spindle and coolant at the same time using M13, in the mach3 program it works fine but in mach2 it doesn't work.

I took the M3 macro and added an Activatesignal(output3) and saved as M13

any ideas?

thanks
Art

59

VB and the development of wizards / Re: bcd input

« on: January 10, 2017, 12:53:52 PM »

to get started i'm trying to turn on an output and nothing seems to be happening

M6 macro reads

ActivateSignal(output2)

shouldn't this turn on output 2? it isn't. I'm using mach2 I have the output enabled and a pin assigned to it but nothing is happening.
Help!
thanks
Art

60

VB and the development of wizards / Re: bcd input

« on: November 07, 2016, 12:24:44 PM »

Thanks, that looks right, I'm going to post the wire color codes from the encoder here. I imagine there are a lot of Hardinge chnc machines out there. The original Allen Bradley Control hasn't been supported for years, and the machine is very high quality. I have been looking at other tool change post to give me some idea where to start. thanks again

Art