Messages

1481

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine setup help - urgent if possible :)

« on: July 24, 2016, 03:50:14 PM »

High,
I'm using Mach3 with the 2010 screen, a CSMIO/IP-A controller and AC servo's for drive.

The whole tool-change thing gets a bit messy it seems, I want to use toolholders so i can use the tool length table and only zero once but some jobs would need a special tool maybe and that would need manually zeroing?

I have no real CNC experience here so learning all the way.

One suggestion has been to not use the table but output each tool as a separate file and do a manual zero touch at the beginning before running the code.

I also have speed control issues where i am using a VFD as well as the mechanical control on the mill to give me full range AND power/torque. I have the system tell me to set the speed at high or low and back-gear or not BUT it does this after the code runs and gets the S command - the thing is it just runs the code with the message on screen and thus i have no chance to change the settings. This really needs sorting out as it limits what can be done in a code sequence.

1482

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: July 24, 2016, 01:22:42 PM »

Yeah, i did look at cat6 but really prefer stranded core not solid due to the risk of breakage. The stuff in the like is much cheaper elsewhere so i'll probably get some of that.

I'm just hoping that this is the issue, the encoder displays flash red either 255 or 179 i think it was - a list of these errors would be real handy, tried contacting CS-Labs but i think they are on summer shut-down.

I have read that it really is supposed to be twisted-pair for encoders so hopefully changing it to this will fix the issues.

1483

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: July 24, 2016, 09:16:56 AM »

Nice, managed to spot-drill four points and the follow up with a 6mm drill thru (19mm)

Nice and smooth, no sign of anything odd happening

OK so we have issues to fix...

I am getting plenty of ePid faults - in the encoder plugin window I see red flashing 255 and encoder counts on all axes - I am really hoping this is caused by my idea of using screened printer cable (DB25) for the connections - its screened but NOT twisted pair and also there is a rats-nest of wiring on the bench now all 3 axes are bodged in.

So, what cable is recommended for the servo drive to CSMIO connections? Something like this....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BELDEN-9507-CABLE-9507-7PAIR-PER-M-/181883214948?hash=item2a59159c64:g:SRMAAOxyXzxTIj8s

I tried messing with the tool length table but having it fault-out when probing is not safe so i gave up, could get my head round it anyway yet

I think its time to start looking at control cabinets.

1484

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: July 24, 2016, 07:11:44 AM »

Scary stuff - she has cut her first steel

Spent the morning putting stuff back - trammed the head, fitted the vise and trammed that in, fitted a floating Z touch-plate and modified the touch-off macro so it did what i wanted.

Threw a small lump of 20mm scrap in, a duff 1/2" four-flute cutter and programmed a facing cut in Aspire of 0.5mm, seemed way slower than i would have moved if doing it manually - may not be a bad thing;) It gave me a speed of 140mm/min at 650rpm

Picture below - looks worse than it is, pretty good finish as it goes considering the state of the tool etc. and dry cutting plus unknown grade of steel.

Will try some drilling next.

1485

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero Macro Help - I'm 1/3 of the way there!

« on: July 24, 2016, 03:28:23 AM »

So, there is only one switch and its configured as ++ so would possibly be the point furthest away from you?

Sounds like you might need a couple more switches at the other ends of the axes for the -- and homing option.

Unless of course your machine references to the ++ end and uses soft-limits for the other end

or

the switch is mounted on the travelling part and hits a fixed stop at each end??

The latter idea is my thought as it works just as well and saves components - where s the switch mounted?? 

1486

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero Macro Help - I'm 1/3 of the way there!

« on: July 23, 2016, 04:48:25 PM »

Sounds like you need to set your limits as homes too, this can be done.

Once a limit is tripped, no code runs.

If the limits go back to the breakout board and not a safety circuit, its not too much to change.

More detail on limit wiring would help i think.

1487

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine setup help - urgent if possible :)

« on: July 23, 2016, 04:43:06 PM »

Thanks, will have a look.

I want the ability to use the tool length offset table for most stuff but also have manual height probing with a touch-plate for some tasks.

R8 tooling is quite long so the table needs to get out of the way to change it, thats the plan anyway

1488

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine setup help - urgent if possible :)

« on: July 23, 2016, 01:36:52 PM »

Hmm, will play with this when i get it all going fully, will have a better idea of whats needed then.

It does ignore the M6 if the current tool is the same as that requested.

1489

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine setup help - urgent if possible :)

« on: July 23, 2016, 01:07:52 PM »

Maybe it really just does not like being jogged??

I've never tried it on the mini-mill, it goes to tool-change position in code.

Still, its doing something usable now, thats the main thing i guess

1490

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: July 23, 2016, 12:02:00 PM »

Finally managed 3-axis motion

Picture of my final switch setup below, allows for my additional engraving spindle mounted on the big spindle - dual top limits and extended homing trigger.

A short video of simple code with two manual tool changes, Z parks at the top and the Y axis is shifted out of the way, whether this will work or no i don't know yet.

https://youtu.be/mJUxtS997MQ