Messages

11

Mach4 General Discussion / Mist (M07) stays on if the program is stopped

« on: December 05, 2016, 12:16:27 PM »

It is not a big deal to go into the run ops tab and turn it off after the stop button is pushed, but it does get annoying. Mach 3 did not do this and i know of several others who are bugged by this feature. Is there any way i can make the mist turn off with the stop button?

12

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: *** PROBING SCREEN ? ***

« on: December 05, 2016, 11:40:53 AM »

I have not Tried the new touch module. i just got my new probe tip this morning and will give it a go and update. Stuart, i am glad you had success with the touch module. Please update us if you get the probing screen working for you.

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 - Erratic Behavior

« on: December 01, 2016, 11:47:03 PM »

I used a cnc4pc c32 bob with a smooth stepper and had nothing but trouble. Long story short, I bought a vital systems hicon bob and have not looked back. Just my experience.  I have a c32  for cheap if anybody is interested

14

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: /// Divide dro by 2 button ///

« on: December 01, 2016, 12:48:07 PM »

That script would not work for me with the motion controller that i use. I use a Vital systems HiCON board and their plugin keeps updating Mach4 with the position reported from the motion controller. telling the motion controller to set the axis position without moving causes your axis to go out of band. I emailed Marc from vital systems and he provided me with the script to use with their motion controller. I have a X / 2 and Y / 2 button next the axis zero buttons.

X / 2 button Left up script

if(machEnabled == 1)then
    local inst = mc.mcGetInstance();
    local xPosition = mc.mcAxisGetPos(inst, 0);
    mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, 'G0X' .. tostring(xPosition / 2));
end

Y / 2 button Left up script

 if(machEnabled == 1)then
    local inst = mc.mcGetInstance();
    local yPosition = mc.mcAxisGetPos(inst, 1);
    mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, 'G0Y' .. tostring(yPosition / 2));
end
 
These buttons move the axis to to half of the dro readout when pushed, so make sure the Z is clear of the work when you use Them.  I Hope this helps someone out.
 

15

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: *** PROBING SCREEN ? ***

« on: December 01, 2016, 01:28:03 AM »

Thanks for the clarification Bob. I am never sure of what mach and the motion controller are responsible for doing. I am building a new touch probe and will give it a second go. I think I will take my axis motors from 600 Ipm down to say..... 50 Ipm for my testing! This is a copy of my original post

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Can anyone please explain the touch probe settings/calibrations?
« on: May 06, 2016, 01:19:42 AM »
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Has anyone successfully used a touch probe in mach 4? It seems to be very inconsistent in the direction it travels when trying to calibrate the z. Most times it goes up, away from the work piece instead of down to contact the work. Without changing anything I can run the calibrate z again and it might go the other direction. The last time I did it, it traveled down to the work piece at 5 Ipm, contacted the material and repeated that process several times, each time the probe light came on when it made contact. After about the third time it did a full rapid move into my vise, turning my touch probe into a pancake. #%@* .  After I regained my composure, I removed the wires from what was left of the probe and redid the calibrate Z. This time the z could not physically contact the vise. I broke the wire connection each time to simulate the probe contact. With the same settings I got the touch, touch, touch and ram, A full rapid up to machine z0, faulting out my servo!! Yes, in the other direction. The feed rates for probing was set to 10 and 5 ipm so where is the rapid comming from? Sooooo, before I destroy my machine can anyone give a detailed description on how to set up a probe. The mach manual doesn't mention probing. I cant find anything for mach probing on youtube, ect. A example of someone probing the edge of a vise, bore or boss with screen shots of their settings would be helpful. Anything would help.  Thanks

16

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: /// Divide dro by 2 button ///

« on: November 26, 2016, 02:24:35 PM »

Allen, you are wise beyond your years. Thanks

17

HiCON Motion Controller / Hicon, mach 4 and digital touch probe.

« on: November 25, 2016, 11:54:05 PM »

Hello Marc, I experimented with a digital touch probe on my mill and to make a long story short, it doesn't exist any more as it is smashed to 1/3 of its original height. I wrote a lengthy post on the mach 4 forum explaining the details. The only answer I got was that the probing is controlled by the motion controller. Two questions, is there any published literature on the correct procedure for setting up a probe and is the hicon board set up to do it. Thanks

18

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: Mach4 + Hicon7766 + SheetCam post processor file

« on: November 25, 2016, 11:28:11 PM »

EMAIL me at austinbrackin32@gmail.com

19

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: Mach4 + Hicon7766 + SheetCam post processor file

« on: November 25, 2016, 11:27:29 PM »

I think I can help you out with this. I had sheetcam do a custom post for this

20

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: /// Divide dro by 2 button ///

« on: November 25, 2016, 07:49:00 PM »

got me thinking? would you know how to have another button move to that that divided by 2 position?   it would save having to manually jog to that position. not necessary but would be sweet.