Messages

391

General Mach Discussion / Tool Table issues

« on: March 12, 2018, 03:00:45 PM »

I had a job tonight, follow on from yesterday where i had a 6 tool job on - yesterday I set my tools in the holders, set the heights in the tool table using my auto macro which reads a DRO and saves the heights in the TT using code, the TT is not loaded or displayed when doing this.

Today I had to use one tool from yesterday so i presumed the height was still set in the TT.

When the job ran the tool was a good 10mm above the work, I reset my Z ref and again it was over 10mm high, checking the TT against the height setter DRO showed the TT value was over 10mm out so the values I set yesterday did not seem to have been saved?

Luckily it was tool high not low so no damage.

Questions :-

When is the TT data saved?
If loading the TT via macro code, do you need to "save" it as well?

Along with the random scripter compile errors, another black mark against Mach I feel

392

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: March 12, 2018, 02:47:10 PM »

And.....It's back

Ran all day yesterday, not a hint of trouble. Tonight I had one quick job and this time I get no tool length compensation.

The error message this time was "scripter compile error in M6End.m1s" - this is why no TLC as that is in my M6End macro.

Now, last time the M3.m1s played up I saved it as M3.mcc which i believe is pre-compiled?

Seems odd that it now failed on the M6 macro - I have now saved both M6Start & M6End as .mcc files - in the vain hope that it will stop it doing it again. Of course there will always be another macro to fail I guess.

393

General Mach Discussion / Re: Windows 10 update causes erratic movements

« on: March 03, 2018, 03:15:20 AM »

I would certainly put in a request for a cheap PC and strip it for use as a Mach3 base, no other use at all, even leave it off the network and especially WiFi

394

Bargain Basement / R8 Tooling - Lots of it

« on: March 02, 2018, 08:01:31 AM »

Hi all,

I'm in the process of list a LOT of R8 shank tooling on the 'bay.

Just thought I'd give you all the heads-up, might be something you want

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sh/lst/active

395

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3PLASMA LIMIT SWITCHES FOR G540/PROMA

« on: March 01, 2018, 04:12:36 PM »

Sounds good, if it works, go with it

396

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3PLASMA LIMIT SWITCHES FOR G540/PROMA

« on: March 01, 2018, 02:10:22 PM »

Well, really we are trying to find out if THC moves (which are different to normal moves) are causing your Z axis to lose steps.

Maximum speed is not relevant yet, just trying to fix your odd Z issues.

397

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3PLASMA LIMIT SWITCHES FOR G540/PROMA

« on: March 01, 2018, 01:30:08 PM »

Yes as TPS says above, set your Z zero at a known position, then using the buttons move the Z up and down really violently, sharp changes are what is needed, up-down-up-down then go back to Z0 and see if it returned to where you set it.

If not then lower the THC speed a bit and try again.

398

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3PLASMA LIMIT SWITCHES FOR G540/PROMA

« on: March 01, 2018, 11:46:01 AM »

Ok, thats possible - try making up some simple code to rapid (G0) the Z axis from Z0 to Z2 (or whatever travel you have, run it maybe 10 times starting from Z0 at a known position and at the end go to Z0 - is the axis in exactly the same position it was at the start???

If you are losing steps it could well be this, plus, when running THC you need to know that the normal acceleration curve is not used, THC moves on Z are more like BANG-BANG-BANG really fast moves are needed here or by the time the Z has moved the torch is elsewhere

I think there its a setting called THC-Rate - its a % of speed, try going low and working up, however i cant remember if this is a generic Mach3 setting or one specific to my screen set/THC system.

Test for lost steps first


EDIT

just saw TPS' reply - thats the box i mentioned.

399

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 slowing around corners

« on: March 01, 2018, 11:39:16 AM »

No need to apologise, just trying to make it easier for you - I have been in the exact same place and had to focus as well

400

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 slowing around corners

« on: March 01, 2018, 02:25:30 AM »

Lex, if this iOS on your plasma with the Proma, please try and fix one issue at a time - its called Thrashing - running around trying to fix multiple issues at once and it makes offering advice very difficult.

Get the Proma / THC going first I think, slowing in corners is 100% normal, any circles less that about 1-1/4" you need to add a slow-down rule anyway in sheet cam or they do not cut very well, smaller than say 1" is about 50% slower than the straight speed.