Messages

521

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A Aixs Brake

« on: May 11, 2018, 02:33:36 PM »

Hey Steve,
Not a fan of needles of any kind lol so.... I won't be writing one myself.

Yeah, I thought about having a really slow ramp.  As is, that's the best way I could think of to keep it from moving while the brake is still applied. 

I pretty much just use the HiCON from Vital Systems now.  Won't hurt to ask if they can help.

522

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cutter compensation (milling)

« on: May 11, 2018, 09:51:23 AM »

I'm not sure,  it will change depending on where you are cutting, inside or outside profile.

I would just do a quick bench test and see what is going to happen.  Put a (-) value in and see where it is going to cut.  If that is wrong, put a (+) value in. 

523

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cutter compensation (milling)

« on: May 11, 2018, 08:47:10 AM »

Stuart, What are you looking for?
You don't set the direction G41/G42 in the tool table, you only set the diameter in the tool table.  
I have only used cutter comp a couple of times and haven't used it since I started using Fusion 360. So I'm not the best to explain how it works, but here are a couple of resources that are informative.

Have you read through the cutter compensation section in the mill manual?  
Page 52
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mach4%20Mill%20GCode%20Manual.pdf

John Saunders has a pretty good video on his YouTube Channel NYC CNC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxtfs0Wr2X0

524

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A Aixs Brake

« on: May 11, 2018, 08:25:27 AM »

Brett,
I'm trying to get away from having macros before and after the A Axis move; that's what we do now.  It doesn't have a confirmation, it is just a solenoid. 

Steve,
This motor doesn't have a brake on it. 
I'm assuming a motion plugin would be difficult to make for this application?  I have no idea where to even start with that or how to do it.
What do you mean let it have following error and catch up?  Let the drive and motor lose commanded position from the brake and let the servo and drive do its thing to get back to position?

525

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A Aixs Brake

« on: May 10, 2018, 05:20:40 PM »

Okay, so I've found an output on the servo drive that I can potentially use to actuate the brake on and off.

The only issue I foresee running into will be the brake being on for the first part of the turn while the valve releases the pressure.  It will be a very small amount of time because the Solenoid will be on the 4th axis, so the hose will be very short.  But still, the signal I found from the drive is instant on/off with pulses.  Off with any motion and On once it is stopped. 

My question is this, is there a way to delay an axis' motion from for lets say 100 milliseconds?          Running from MDI and G Code; if it is in a jogging state I will turn the brake off all together. IE Keyboard Inputs Enabled or MPG Enabled.

I tried to make an "a" macro based on the fact that I made a "t" macro to preload the tool magazine.  I was going to add a mc.mccntlMdiExecute(inst, "G04 P200") or a mc.mccntleGCodeExecute(inst, "G04 P200")   But these did not work, I was hopeful but doubtful.  Any ideas?

526

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Out-Of-Band Axes in Hobby vs Indusrial

« on: May 10, 2018, 02:13:10 PM »

Yes.  As long as you keep things from getting split brained. 

Steve

What do you mean split brained?

Garyhlucas,
I have used both the Click and the BRX.  Here are my thoughts, for what its worth.
The BRX is extremely powerful and the cost can't be beat for what you get.  So many features and easy to use software. 
The Click is an unbeatable cost for function, IMHO, and is powerful enough to use.

I like the Click matched with Mach4 because it is easy to interface the TCP Modbus.  And the most difficult thing I control is the Tool Change with the PLC and that's easy to program. 
Also, since I don't connect machines to any outside network, I don't have to set up each modbus contact.  I just start my Modbus range with the Modbus address on the click and I don't have to configure anything else.
I use the Click because it does what I need and doesn't have the extra bells and whistles sitting there looking pretty because I don't use them. 

But again, the BRX is an awesome little PLC! 

527

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Out-Of-Band Axes in Hobby vs Indusrial

« on: May 10, 2018, 12:14:39 PM »

Awesome!  I'll check to make sure that HiCON Can use the OOB Axis, it controls 6 axis.

I plan on using an OOB Axis for a SMTC carousel and I would like to rotate it freely with the Click PLC as well as in Mach.

I'm thinking about having the Axis be based on a register value and letting the PLC Script move the axis based on what that value is.   I can manipulate the register easily enough from Mach or the Click.

Does that sound plausible?

528

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Out-Of-Band Axes in Hobby vs Indusrial

« on: May 10, 2018, 10:21:32 AM »

Craig,
I was really hoping Steve would chime in and let us know how this works haha. 

529

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: MPG strange behavior

« on: May 08, 2018, 01:54:37 PM »

Functions go in the screen load script.  You have your functions in the PLC Script.

530

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Out-Of-Band Axes in Hobby vs Indusrial

« on: May 07, 2018, 03:03:02 PM »

Yeah, the industrial version we are using doesn't have need for out-of-band.  And, like you, I have found nothing indicating how to add motion to an out of band axis.

I'm currently finalizing the wiring on our electrical panel and then putting it back in the cabinet on our machine.  I hope by the end of the month we will have some motion on the

machine, pending time putting out fires here at the shop.  Once it is moving I can test the out-of-band axis.  Just have to figure out where to start haha.