Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reload Mach3Turn

« on: January 14, 2014, 02:10:15 PM »

Thanks for the info.  I have been using the button so the separate screensets should resolve that. 

B3030

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reload Mach3Turn

« on: January 11, 2014, 08:20:52 AM »

Thanks Hood,
That fills in a few blanks.

   One more question: The profile I use for a Router has the Default Units set to inches.  My Lathe is metric. I am aware of the following warning from page 5-9 of the 1.84 Install Guide:
   So the choice is yours. Use Config>Setup Units to choose MMs or Inches (see figure 5.10).
   Once you have made a choice you must not change it without going back over all the
   following steps or total confusion will reign! A message box reminds you of this when you
   use Config>Setup units.

That being said, are the profile different enough that one profile could default to Inches and a second profile default to MM, and they wouldn't interfere with each other?

I ask because a ran into a problem were I wasn't able to use different Auto Tool Change macros for different profiles (since the block was different for each).  I had to get help writing a macro that would ask the height of each block.  In that case the different profiles affected each other.

B3030

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reload Mach3Turn

« on: January 07, 2014, 09:04:00 PM »

Thanks Alex,

It didn't exist on the XP computer I use, but I did find it on a Win7 machine that I had tried it on but didn't use.

I appreciate the help,

B3030

24

General Mach Discussion / Reload Mach3Turn

« on: January 07, 2014, 08:05:31 PM »

I've had Mach 3 up and running with a router for a year.  In a misguided attempt to minimize clutter, I deleted the Mach3Turn profile from the Mach3Loader screen.  Now I find myself on the verge of CNC'ing my Sherline lathe, and I don't have that profile.

Is there any way to restore that profile?

If not, what configuration files should I back-up if I end up re-installing Mach 3?

I appreciate any advice for this misguided novice.

B3030

25

General Mach Discussion / Cannot control 3040 spindle with M3/M5. Are my settings correct?

« on: December 10, 2013, 09:42:37 PM »

I'm new to the forum but have searched and found no similar topics
I run a YooCNC 3040 engraver with a registered copy of Mach 3 Version R3.043.066.  The controller has the "NT65-3X" control board and a "PW3024" power supply/spindle control board.

It's been running good for a year to cut ABS and etch PCBs.  But I have always had to control the spindle manually.  I really want to have GCode spindle control.

I use a simple DC engraver motor (no VHD?).  My settings are as follows:

Output Signals Engine Configuration... Ports & Pins

   Motor Outputs
      Spindle
         Enabled - Checked
         Step Pin # - ?   Does this need to be set?  To what?
         Dir Pin # - ?   Does this need to be set?  To what?
         Step Port # - ?   Does this need to be set?  To what?
         Step Port # - ?   Does this need to be set?  To what?
        
   Output Signals
      Output #1
         Enabled- checked
         Port #- 1
         Pin Number - 1
         Active Low - not checked

   Spindle Setup
      Relay Control
         Disable Spindle Relays - not checked
      Motor Control
         Use Spindle Motor Output - Checked
         PWM Control - Checked
         Step/Dir Motor - not checked
         PWM Base Freq - 5 (default)
         Minimum PWM - 10%

This YooCNC control box has a switch on the back for "H" (hand RPM control via pot of front) or "M" (machine control via M3/M5).  I never could figure out spindle control so I always run it in "H".  Now I want to get the "M" mode working.

Questions:

Do the Output Signals Engine Configuration... Ports & Pins>Motor Outputs>Spindle fields need to be filled in if I want to use PWM Spindle Control? Para 5.3.6.3 says this is checked automatically depending on whether the  Output Signals Engine Configuration... Ports & Pins>Spindle Setup>Motor Control Use Spindle Motor Output is checked.  This is checked even if I want to use PWM Control.  What would I use to fill in the Step and Dir Pin and Port fields

Since I want to run the Spindle via GCode, shouldn't the Output Signals Engine Configuration... Ports & Pins>Spindle Setup>Relay Control> Disable Spindle Relays box not be checked?  Am I right here?

As I'm trying to get this figured out, do I need to input M3 and an "S" speed code every time i want to try it?  Could i just use Spindle Toggle on the Diagnostics screen to make a quick check?


I appreciate any comments and suggestions.

B3030