Messages

551

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Lua loop speed?

« on: October 24, 2015, 06:38:28 PM »

Thanks Daz, much appreciated

(found the Mach4 scripting manual.... [pg 11]
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mach4%20Scripting%20Manual.pdf
 bit in there but doesn't explain what the implications could be of making the loop a little faster .... say 100hz or 50hz [I'll give it a go when I'm back next week).

getting enthusiastic for the impending ESS plugin with these new functions [need M62 & M63 working too! + thc (i can live in hope for the next plugin update)]

Rob

552

Mach4 General Discussion / Lua loop speed?

« on: October 24, 2015, 05:01:20 PM »

Mach3 seemed contained to a 10hz loop for VB scripts and brains

... Does mach4 have an official loop speed?

Is it a function of CPU speed or a set loop rate?

Thanks

Rob

553

General Mach Discussion / Re: DRO vs GCode on Z with Mach 3.46.066 and ESS_v10r2d1d

« on: October 22, 2015, 07:51:02 PM »

There are numbers posted on the warp9 forum and above.

0.0330mm backlash was noted, with a z steps/mm of 640

Rob

554

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: M codes and mach4, is there still a hesitation same as m3? (Except m10/m11)

« on: October 18, 2015, 03:09:12 AM »

Tweakie, thanks very much, I'll give them a go

(Running a smooth stepper so that has its own challenges to see what's implemented and what's not, in mach3 only one output could be toggled with an m10/m11 regardless of the "Px" bit as the output is defined in the motion controllers config page)

Rob

555

Mach4 General Discussion / M codes and mach4, is there still a hesitation same as m3? (Except m10/m11)

« on: October 17, 2015, 03:30:13 PM »

As per title, when using m codes to toggle outputs is there still a hesitation with mach4, the same as there was with mach3, hence the reason why the m10/m11 codes were used as they were suppose not to have the delay / hesitation?

Was this not to do with the loop speed in mach3

(Question is to do with THC on and off control where a divot was created with the torch pause / hesitation during the m code processing)

Thanks

Rob

556

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: pocketing and profiling

« on: October 17, 2015, 03:20:45 PM »

What software are you using?

Couple of things (some of this you may know, but as I don't know your experience level, please accept my apologies in advance if this is of no help)

Firstly check you have the right tool diameter set within your software... Sometimes it's even better to cut a slot and measure the slot width so as to calibrate your tool a little more closely.

Next check that you are using the right tool offset... You'll get an inside, centreline and outside offset

So for a perfect 1" circle insert you want a recess / pocket with an inside edge offset, then when you cut the insert, you want an outside edge offset, that way the cutter will cut up to the 1" line for the pocket and the same for the insert.

Hope it helps

Rob

557

General Mach Discussion / Re: new guy

« on: October 17, 2015, 11:51:33 AM »

Have you defined your "e-stop" input and set it to be enabled.

No e-stop defined, nothing will move..  you can "frig" the e-stop by defining it and then setting it to either active high or low and that will perimiantly clear the e-stop (see my note below regarding mushroom buttons)

I'd suggest you go into you C:/Mach3 folder and copy and paste you XML file so we can have a look at what you've setup and what you may not have setup.

the XML file defines all of your settings.... it is normally called by the same name that your mach3 profile is (for instance MachMill / Plasma etc etc).  you can open the file up using notepad (although it will look like a long read trying to order everything.... there is an SML viewer listed on here somewhere.... I personally use the Microsoft XML editor (available free)... but normally just load your profile into mach and run through all the settings.

It would be helpful to know something about your machine setup (i.e. what leadscrews you are using (their pitch), and what settings you have for microstepping on your drives, what type of machine you are running .... mill, plasma, etc ... do you have an e-stop (essential if you ask me! [can't beat a mushroom button in a panic]), do you have home switches, limit switches etc etc.

It is sooo much easier looking at an XML file than just asking questions and batting things back & forth.

Rob

558

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slave axis & Kernal speed PROBLEM! Need help please!

« on: October 17, 2015, 04:05:42 AM »

can you post your XML file for your profile.

What voltage are you suppling the TB6600 boards with?

What pulsewidth do you have set?  CONFIG >> MOTOR TUNING

What steps / mm [or inch] do you have set ?

What maximum velocity mm [or inch] per miniute do you have set?

What maximum acceleration mm [ or inch] / s / s do you have set?

What kernal speed do you have set (25khz seems to most of the time prove to be adequate for most settings for stepper motors)

Rob

Rob

559

General Mach Discussion / Re: DDSM3_V5.0 (USB controller)

« on: October 16, 2015, 04:50:44 PM »

The Ethernet smooth stepper has proved to be better supported as they have more of them in the market and they are less immune to electrical noise and interference.

It depends what you want to do with it, but the USB driver has not been updated in near 2 years, but the plan is to update it after they have released their next mach4 driver update (last one dated July 2015)

I'd pay the little extra and get the Ethernet board if I were you (I have both, but keep meaning to sell the USB one as its not used), and if you wanted an smooth stepper...

Suggest you think about an easy to wire / quick to wire breakout board too

Register and have a look at their forum so you are aware of the issues that people have had

Rob

560

General Mach Discussion / Re: problem with Z axis

« on: October 15, 2015, 05:57:15 PM »

Sorry, can't help, you may need to post in the LazyCam section and see if someone will help there.

Rob