Topics

11

Mach4 General Discussion / Whats the reason for the different probing and touch?

« on: February 04, 2023, 12:22:49 AM »

Is there a reason for the two different probing ops inside mach 4? A touch and a probing screen. Both seem to be seperate - does it matter what I use? My setup Mach 4, ESS Smoothstepper - all new installation.

My probe is all good and I know its working. Infact I am using the 3rd probe I have in my list. This instead of having several different probes on the same input pin. Well, I have a few inputs for probing and they all work electrically. I see in Mach 4 there is no touch, back off, and touch again. Its just one action. Not like Mach 3. Is there a better way for this? Or do I need to learn how to program it myself? Being an employed father, husband I am sure you guys will know time is precious.

Also, what I cant work out is the outside corner probe op inside the touch GI. I was expecting it (the probe) to come down, find the Z, move back up, move (for example) in the Y+ direction, then the Z should move down below the Z surface and probe the Y- edge, then move around to probe the X.

But, it just probes the Z, moves back up, and moves to the Y and errors once it gets too the limits. Its as if its probing the inside of a pocket. Wondering what I am doing wrong? I cannot see any other settings to change, Ie to make this operation work.

A little push is what I need please. Its been a huge job upgrading this machine from Mach 3.

My next step once probing is sorted is setting up tool offsets as I have installed a new ATC. The only way I can see how to do that is manually, one by one as it touches. Surely someone has created a process using an electronic  z tool setter to load all my tool offsets? It looks so easy on paper.

Oh. One thing I have done is created my own profile. I have copy/pasted all the macros out of the router profile into my own profile macro folder. Was I supposed to transfer other files?

Thanks in advance for any help.

12

SmoothStepper USB / ESS Stuff. Mostly the safety bits please.

« on: January 24, 2023, 05:00:24 PM »

Running my machine that is always undergoing some form of modification I think I am on REV8 by now. My workshop flooded 6 months ago. Instead of spending the insurance money on new cabinets I bought a new ESS Smoothstepper/Mach 4 deal, and a Chinese 6kw ATC Spindle. Yep. Everything is working so far (phew). I did have to completely rewire my control box(s). And document it so when I die someone can fix it haha

Ok so this ATC I have been told if I run it without a toolholder locked in that I will end up running inside with a QBL because it will damage the ATC. So I have designed in several safety locks to avoid this. QBL = Quivering Bottom Lip.  Currently it will be just a quick change for me. My questions:

VFD is a new BD600. I am setting up the safety interlocks as per below I just cant confirm exactly what options to use on the VFD.

1: On tool unlock, 24+v applied to control K1, a DIN relay to close the contact between VFD input pin S.2/GND. S.2 will become high, I can only think to set the VFD response to the high pin S.2 to "External Stop"

2: On tool lock signal, 24+v applied to K2, K2 will then close the circuit allowing "enable run" from Mach 4 to VFD.

3: Tool eject 24v power circuit runs through an internal VFD NC relay to GND. Closed contact RB/RC by VFD when in stop condition. The setting for this be "zero-speed running 2 (no output at stop)" Its the only one that makes sense but this relay closes as soon as you hit the stop button with the spindle slowing down.  I cant find anything better in the settings.

4: I have purchased a pneumatic pressure switch. With the thought that If there is air pressure in the ATC pneumatic line to change a tool, that this switch will input a "stop" to the VFD through one of the input pins.

Am I making sense? Too much? Too little? My VFD input and output settings attached. I guess I am keen to know how others have setup safety interlocks. Unfortunately the tool unlock is a + signal so is not safe on power down.

Anyways. Safety first and look forward to some feedback

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach 4 quick slaving question please.

« on: January 21, 2023, 05:33:43 AM »

ESS Smoothstepper running 2 Chinese BOBs. New upgrade to Mach 4 and the ESS. I have 2 x Nema 34 Closed loop steppers on my Y gantry one per side. Setup as Mach 4 with "Y" and slaved "A" - or, like how the manual describes if I may have worded it correctly.

It doesn't seem to like it. The A axis lagging behind and catching up giving my gantry a twist and back. Strange the A also throws an encoder fault but keeps going. Both motors exactly the same settings driver/software. Just one takes longer to get moving and catches up hurting my gantry. Anyways I was wondering if anyone has seen this before I start hard troubleshooting.

Also - is this still the correct way to setup 2 Nemas on an axis like this gantry when they are closed loop in Mach 4?

Thanks

14

General Mach Discussion / Do I upgrade or not bother?

« on: December 16, 2022, 04:20:56 PM »

Ive been using Mach 3 for years. Always cautious I just need a push in the right direction please.

I still dont know how to build a wizard or macro. Thats me. In the constant desire to upgrade, my next mission is to install an ATC, the mechanics will be a piece of cake, the programming, well, I found the perfect person to help with Mach 3. I do need to upgrade my old BOB - the same BOB I have used for years. Its so full of inputs that I had to build a relay bank to accept both NO and NC inputs to put out one NC onto one pin ha

Anyways. My upgrade to an Ethernet Controller. If I remain with Mach 3 I have someone who can build the macros for the ATC, for a cost of course. If I upgrade to Mach 4 I have no idea what do do. Im not a novice installer but I would be reluctant if there is a whole heap of work to get my machine up and running with the upgrade. How hard will it be to get help to complete this mission should I upgrade to Mach 4 is my question. And then install a ATC. All the online recommendations point to Mach 4. My gut points to Mach 3 just because it would be easy with the help I have found.

The machine is being used for personal and commercial.

15

General Mach Discussion / Mach Turn Problem I have.

« on: November 06, 2021, 10:08:34 PM »

Not very often I pull out my diy lathe. This problem often pops up and I have no idea what to do to fix it. I think it must be a homing problem? Or something else? Some advice please be great.

Pic one (not fail) is Mach Turn on my laptop inside my house. Same code. Looks fine, will probably work well. The other pic, has the tool trying to travel back behind the stock, way out the front of the chuck, back, then might, if I am lucky begin the cuts I have programmed into the code. But I dont have enough room for all this unnecessary movement. So this is the same piece of code just one loaded into different copies of Mach.

I have absolutely no idea why it does this?

16

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 Tool Change - how to go directly to tool-change position?

« on: February 02, 2021, 03:42:18 AM »

I am having a brain fade. Mach 3 2010 Screenset. Fusion 360. When my machine is called for a tool-change it pauses above the work piece and stops the spindle. I have to hit start, for it to go to tool change position. Where I change the tool, hit "start" again and it carries on.

How do I remove this requirement for the first "start" and have it go directly to the tool change position? Simple things but I have no idea. Thanks in advance. Rgds

17

VB and the development of wizards / Macro to carry Z offset through multiple G codes

« on: December 01, 2020, 04:03:19 AM »

I may have posted into the wrong section. I cant seem to find where to start with this one. Tried in the general section and only got moths ha

Running multiple parts on multiple Z heights. Using 2010 screenset and the auto toolchange auto start function.

 I zero the tool on each one on each offset. Run the program. First Op runs fine until the tool change/fixed plate/new tool  which is when the new Z offset for G54 is not carried over into the G55 G56 G57 and so on. Normally the second tool is much longer and creates quite a nice deep cut on the G55 (or next offset) until I hit the stop button. (did it once)

I have been looking at the tool change macros but am stumped where to have it input the different Z offsets into the other G code offsets.

Please if someone could point me to A) The macro I need to change. B) How to get that macro to work when I am running multiple offsets. and C) Well anything else I need to study. D) Or can I alter my G Code to force the toolchange offset through each different table offset?

I think its M881 which is the auto tool change macro. I even have a young programmer keen to help. But - I am not a programmer and dont know where to start. This is the tool change macro yes? And can I alter it, rename it, and have it come alive when on different offsets?

Sub Main()
' Based on the macros created be Big Tex -  May 25 2010
' and modified by Poppa Bear 11dec10


Dim ZNew, Zplate, ZMaxRetract, Zplatetomaterial
Dim XWork, YWork, XMachine, YMachine, ZMachine
Dim XScale, YScale, ZScale
Dim XPlate, YPlate, xtoprobe, ytoprobe
Dim PlateOffset, MatOffset, TotalOffset
Dim MatOffsetYN
Dim ZClear, ClearAllow
Dim CurrentFeed
Dim CurrentAbsInc
Dim Response

XWork = GetOEMDRO(800)  ' Get Current X Work Coordinate
YWork = GetOEMDRO(801)  ' Get Current Y Work Coordinate
XMachine = GetOemDRO(83)  ' Get Current X Machine Coordinate
YMachine = GetOemDRO(84)  ' Get Current Y Machine Coordinate
ZMachine = GetOemDRO(85)   ' Get Current Z Machine Coordinate
XPlate = GetUserDRO(1811)  ' Get X Machine Coordinate location of the touch plate
YPlate = GetUserDRO(1812)  ' Get Y Machine Coordinate location of the touch plate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1851)  ' Get Plate Thickness DRO
MatOffset = GetUserDRO(1815)  ' Get Material Offset DRO

If GetOEMLED(1863) Then  ' Set Flag if Material Offset is used
   MatOffsetYN=1
   Else
   MatOffsetYN=0
End If

'Get Axis Scale factors
XScale = GetOEMDRO(59)
YScale = GetOEMDRO(60)
ZScale = GetOEMDRO(61)

'Set All Axis' Scale to 1
Call SetOEMDRO(59,1)
Call SetOEMDRO(60,1)
Call SetOEMDRO(61,1)
Sleep(250)


CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)  ' Get the current feedrate to return to later
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48)   ' Get the current G90/G91 state
Zclear=GetOEMDRO(1814) ' Get Z Clearance Plane from DRO

'//////// the block below will set all your reusable vars depending on Inch or mm.
'//////// this sets the vars so you only need ONE large block of probing code.

If GetOEMLED(801) Then  ' On = English Measure INCH

FirstProbeDist = 6.0 ' Probe down 6 inches
FirstRetractDist = 0.05 ' Then retract .05 inch
SecProbeDist = 0.25 ' Then probe down .25 inches
FirstProbeFeed = 10.0 ' First probe feed @ 10 ipm
SecondProbeFeed = 1.0 ' Second probe feed @ 1 ipm
ClearAllow = 0.125 ' Max Allowable Clearance = Z Machine Zero - .125in

Else ' Off = Metric Measure MM

FirstProbeDist = 150.0 ' Probe down 150mm
FirstRetractDist = 1.0 ' Then retract 1mm
SecProbeDist = 6.0 ' Then probe down 6mm
FirstProbeFeed = 250.0 ' First probe feed @ 250 mm/min
SecondProbeFeed = 25.0 ' Second probe feed @ 25 mm/min
ClearAllow = 2.0 ' Max Allowable Clearance = Z Machine Zero - 2mm

End If

'//////// Error Condition checking code

If GetOemLED(16)<>0 Then ' Check for Machine Coordinates
Code "(Please change to working coordinates)"
Exit Sub ' Exit if in Machine Coordinates
End If

If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then
Code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Exit Sub ' Exit if probe is tripped
End If

If PlateOffset < 0 Then
Code "(Plate Thickness < 0 - Please Correct and try again)"
Exit Sub ' Exit If Plate Thickness is less than 0
End If

If MatOffsetYN=1 Then
   If MatOffset < 0 Then
   Code "(Warning - Material Offset < 0)"
   Sleep(3000)
   End If
End If

If ZClear <= 0 Then
Code "(Clearance Plane Must > 0 - Please Reset)"
Exit Sub ' Exit If Clearance Plane is less than  or equal to 0
End If


If MatOffsetYN=1 Then  ' If Use Material Offset = Yes
   TotalOffset = PlateOffset - MatOffset
   Else
   TotalOffset = PlateOffset
End If


'//////// Start Probing Code, Probe In -Z direction.
'//////// The vars will be Inch or Metric from above if/else statment

sleep(1000) ' Pause for 1 second to give time to position probe plate

Code "F" & FirstProbeFeed ' Set feedrate to 10 ipm or 300mm/min

Code "(Probing for Z Zero.....)" ' Puts this message in the status bar

ZNew = (GetOEMDro(802) - FirstProbeDist ) ' Probe move to current Z - 6 inches
Code "G90 G31 Z" & Znew

While IsMoving() ' Wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) ' Read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" & ( ZNew + FirstRetractDist ) ' Move up .05 inch or 1mm in case of overshoot

While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" & SecondProbeFeed ' Set feedrate to 1 ipm or 25mm/min

ZNew = (GetOEMDro(802) - SecProbeDist ) ' Probe move to current Z - .25 inches
Code "G90 G31 Z" & Znew

While IsMoving()
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) ' Read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" & ZNew ' Move back to hit point in case of overshoot

While IsMoving()
Wend

Call SetOEMDRO (802, TotalOffset) ' Set the Z axis DRO to plate thickness
sleep(500) ' Pause for DRO to update.

'Make Sure Z Clearance Plane is below Home Switch. If not, Notify User and Proceed.
ZMaxRetract = Abs(GetOemDRO(85)) - ClearAllow ' Distance to Home Switch - Clearance Allowance

If ZClear - TotalOffset > ZMaxRetract Then

   Response = MsgBox ("Warning !!!" & (Chr(13)) & "Z Clearance Plane is Above Z Axis Home Switch." & (Chr(13)) & "Press OK To Retract Safely Below Switch" & (Chr(13)) & "Or Press Cancel to Exit Operation",49,"Insufficient Z Clearance!!")

   If Response = 1 Then ' If OK
      ZClear = TotalOffset + ZMaxRetract ' Retract to Z Machine zero - .125in or 2mm
      ElseIf Response = 2 Then ' If Cancel
      Exit Sub
   End If
End If
   
Code "G0 Z" & ZClear ' Retract to Z Clearance Plane

While IsMoving()
Wend

' Move to fixed plate location and probe again

Code "G53 G0 X" & XPlate & " Y" & YPlate ' Rapid to the location of the plate

While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" & FirstProbeFeed ' Set feedrate to 10 ipm or 300mm/min

If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then
Code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Exit Sub ' Exit if probe is tripped
End If

Code "(Probing for Reference Position.....)" ' Puts this message in the status bar

ZPlate = (GetOEMDRO(802) - FirstProbeDist)
Code "G90 G31 Z" & Zplate ' Probe move to current Z - 6 inches

While IsMoving()
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) ' Read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" & ( ZPlate + FirstRetractDist ) ' Move up .1 inch in case of overshoot

While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" & SecondProbeFeed ' Set feedrate to 1 ipm or 25mm/min

ZPlate = (GetOEMDRO(802) - SecProbeDist)
Code "G90 G31 Z" & Zplate ' Probe move to current Z - .25 inches

While IsMoving()
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) ' Read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" & ZPlate ' Move back to hit point in case of overshoot

While IsMoving()
Wend

Zplatetomaterial = GetOEMDRO(802) ' Record the current coordinate of the bottom of the tool and plate

Call SetUserDRO(1813,Zplatetomaterial) ' This sets a user DRO to the difference between the top of material and top of plate
sleep(500) ' Pause for DRO to update.

Code "G0 Z" & ZClear ' Move up to the  amount specified in the Z Clearance Plane DRO

While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "G0 X" & XWork & " Y" & YWork ' Returns to the previous XY job location

While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" & CurrentFeed ' Reset to original feed rate


If GetOEMLED(801) Then 'ON = English Measure INCH
Code "(Material Offset is Now Calculated in Inches)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else 'OFF = Metric Measure MM
Code "(Material Offset is Now Calculated in mm's)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If

If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If

Call SetOEMDRO(59,XScale)
Call SetOEMDRO(60,YScale)
Call SetOEMDRO(61,ZScale)
Sleep(250)

If Not FileName() = "No File Loaded." Then
   If GetOEMLED(1865) Then
      MsgBox "Start Spindle, then press OK to Continue",48,"Start Spindle"
   End If
   
   DoOEMButton(1000) ' Cycle Start
End If

End Sub               
     
 
 

18

Brains Development / 2010 screenset multiple Z zeros over multiple work coordinates

« on: November 28, 2020, 04:35:02 PM »

I would like to machine multiple components over G54 55 56 etc. If I use the 2010 auto tool Z zero it only works for the G54 offset. The tool will then plow through the other G55 56 57 or it will miss after a tool change unless the works are all at the same heights

I think I may have posted prior but does anyone know how to carry the auto tool zeroand change function over multiple G code offsets?

Or do I need to learn how to write a brain or change the code for 2010 which is a very cool screen

19

General Mach Discussion / Crashed my favorite tool today all in the learning space.

« on: November 18, 2020, 03:04:17 AM »

Does anyone know how to carry over an auto tool zero, with the fixed plate, mach 3 2010, to multiple G offsets?

I set my pieces (four) up all with their own G coordinates for the X and Y. All good no problem. Thinking that if I had them all on the same Z level, then the toolchange during the G54 initial setup would carry through to the G55-G57. But they do not, they hold their own, and the new tool goes straight through the work, or begins over the top on the offset pieces.

So does anyone know how to utilise the 2010 auto tool zero function through multiple offsets with multiple tool changes throughout an op? It would be SOOOOO cool to be able to do this. Next best thing to an ATC.

20

General Mach Discussion / Auto tool timing out anyone know how to change it?

« on: November 16, 2020, 04:10:41 AM »

Mach 3 2010. Sometimes I machine parts that are high on my table up on top of a vice etc. On this, during the first tool change, the tool, on its way down to the fixed plate, will time out and just bump as if its hit the plate (but it hasn't)  but its 50mm or so too high. Kind of like as if its timed out. If I raise the fixed plate 80mm or so its fine but thats a pain. Because I dont find out until it happens.

Does anyone know how to change this or stop the Z from doing this?