Messages

81

General Mach Discussion / Can you run cnc plasma cutter with a 24vdc Z axis motor for THC?

« on: May 14, 2015, 10:42:39 AM »

Hello everyone!

I just picked up a cnc plasma cutter that needs a new control, but I have one question about the THC. I am very familiar with wiring and can easily wire the rest of the machine.

The Torch Height Contol has a 24vdc motor for moving the z axis up and down, it is not a stepper motor. Can I use this with mach 3 for the THC? I am not sure how to set up the configurations either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

82

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: March 01, 2015, 03:04:49 PM »

Not sure how I could write that.... in vb

83

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 09, 2015, 03:11:18 PM »

Awesome, ya I'm gonna stick mach3 on the mill then when mach 4 is up and running then switch over..

84

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 09, 2015, 07:07:12 AM »

Thanks hood if I remember right u have a csmio also right?

85

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 08, 2015, 02:36:11 PM »

My thoughts pretty spot on!

I would like to first try the VB, then if that doesnt work then just get a servo, the issue is that I love retrofitting machines, and always buying and putting servos on the tool changers are not always possible without heavy modification.

What size servo do you think I would need to move the umbrella? I was thinkinkg like a 200 watt motor? the current motor is a single phase motor with a gear reduction,

86

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 08, 2015, 07:06:19 AM »

Thank u , any idea where I can get a good servo and drive that talKS +-10 volts for input? I

87

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 07, 2015, 05:34:06 PM »

Could I just use 24 inputs? One input per tool position, then just run the tool changer till it hits the right input, the initiate tool change?

Scratch that only got 24 inputs

88

VB and the development of wizards / Re: CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 07, 2015, 04:19:02 PM »

Hi! Sure I can take some more video tonight, I think the operation of the tool changer is. Z to tool chage position(switch to indicate tool change position) then run swing arm motor till a switch is triggered, then stop tool changer motor arm, then activate tool changer fingers extension, then activate air cylinder that lowers arm (pulls out tool) then activate tool changer arm motor (moves to tool changer carousel) then de activate arm lowering cylinder (pulls tool into carousel) then deactivate fingers (restracts) then spin carousel to new tool, then reverse the previous steps.

I do also think it would be a lot easier to mount a stepper motor on the bottom with a home switch (one of the pre existing switches at the top! Lol), but the problem is that I have a csmio A driver for analog +-10 volt drives, which means I have to buy amother drive and motor just for the tool changer, I have a ton of steppers laying around, maybe a gecko drive and keling servo would work...?

89

VB and the development of wizards / CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 07, 2015, 08:21:52 AM »

 

Hello, I am retrofitting a cnc knee mill with a tool changer that has some kind of switched logic, can anyone help me figure it out?

It is basically like a rotary encoder with logic from the switched that indicate tool position, there are 24 tools...

here is a small video I made https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsBAYHpI6es

thanks for any help!

90

Mach Screens / Re: How to make a popup when a button is selected?

« on: March 23, 2014, 04:32:31 PM »

Hey Ger21 would this work for an auto tool home and seat to tool 1?

 Sub Main()

Code "G53 G0 X0 Z0"

ActivateSignal(OUTPUT1)  'Raise Turret
Code "G4 P0.5"
While IsMoving ()       
Wend
DoButton(25)     
While IsMoving ()       
Wend

DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT1)  'Drop Turret

SetCurrentTool(1)
Code "G90"
End Sub