Messages

711

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 slows down at each point

« on: February 27, 2017, 01:58:09 PM »

Sorry, that should say "My money is on..."

712

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 slows down at each point

« on: February 27, 2017, 01:31:05 PM »

Looking at the video, my money icon your G-code curves being compiled of thousands of tiny moves, this stops mach3 making a smooth trajectory.

Not sure on the fix though, maybe a different code source?

713

General Mach Discussion / Re: simple VSD

« on: February 26, 2017, 07:26:03 AM »

I use these...

https://inverterdrive.com/group/AC-Inverter-Drives-230V/Schneider-ATV12HU22M2/

but probably about the same as your one, its just a matter of getting the settings right

714

General Mach Discussion / Re: Thc disable when cutting holes , cnc plasma

« on: February 26, 2017, 03:30:55 AM »

Do a google search for Mach3 macro programming, and similar, there are a few documents that will help you a lot, there is no actual g-code for an output, its all done via macro's

you will need a couple of custom macro's say M1450 and M1451 maybe - M1450 would contain ActivateSignal(Output1) and M1451 would contain DeactivateSignal(Output1)

when you want to turn your output on the code will call M1450 etc, the macros live your macros folder and do not use any numbers that exist already in there.

the trick is getting the code into your post processor.

but dont forget - there will be a glitch in your X/Y motion when the macro is called, will it matter? Thats up to you


edit
Get the list of macro commands - if i recall there is a built-in call that can turn THC on an off, maybe that will be better.

715

General Mach Discussion / Re: SSR relay wont power down

« on: February 25, 2017, 12:24:23 PM »

If it is a red round type of component it's probably a MOV or metal oxide varistor - a type of self resetting shunt that helps prevent voltage spikes.

Glad its moving on

716

General Mach Discussion / Re: Thc disable when cutting holes , cnc plasma

« on: February 25, 2017, 12:21:47 PM »

Maybe, its not something i have tried, speed will be the issue - it might not switch off quick enough to make a difference.

I would not use the relay to switch the proma off, use it to disconnect the down signal so the torch does not dive

717

General Mach Discussion / Re: Thc disable when cutting holes , cnc plasma

« on: February 25, 2017, 08:41:00 AM »

No, i don't think you can do this, the feature you want is available on integrated THC systems but not something you can do on the proma as it controls the height on its own.

Also there is a problem in running a macro in Mach3 while the system is in motion  - it causes a stutter in motion while the macro is processed.

Now, having said that, I might try this - do all the cuts you need no THC for first, make as a separate tool path and simply turn the proma off. Then do the cuts with THC and turn it on maybe??

For integration like this I think the minimum you need is something like THC from CandCNC but you are looking at £800 or more i think, this will give full THC control from within SheetCam but it comes at a cost

718

General Mach Discussion / Re: SSR relay wont power down

« on: February 24, 2017, 04:59:34 AM »

Yes, i read this as an AC 220v pump.

Sounds like the BOB output is not dropping low enough to release the SSR.

OP - can you get your SSR turned on then confirm it WILL stop the pump if the 5v signal is disconnected at the SSR?

719

General Mach Discussion / Re: What is Step Pulse / Dir Pulse?

« on: February 24, 2017, 02:22:40 AM »

Its the length of pulse output to the controller - too short and the motor drive simply will not see the pulse or it may see some pulses but not others, its all about signal timing.

Its a square-wave signal, the output voltage goes up and down with a period - the pulse length controls the length of that period.

Normally a value of 3-5 works it seems.

720

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to use Z soft limit with the Tool Length offset?

« on: February 24, 2017, 02:17:29 AM »

Yes but in reality, it very rarely happens.

There are many "checks" that could be put into play but it would add layers of things to go wrong and stop a system from running for no reason.

It is what it is

On my screen-set there is a tab called Limits - it shows the extents of travel being called for in the code loaded - i always check that screen first, if i knew my material was 3mm thick and the z axis had a limit of -5mm I know something is wrong and I can fix it - if the machine fixed that for me i would happily be turning out bad code thinking i was good.