Messages

91

Mach4 Videos / Re: Mach4 - Arduino and Touchscreen

« on: June 07, 2015, 08:39:59 PM »

I have to look into this Modbus y'all keep talking about....it seems as if it is a must have, as if you have an external hardware requirement but no more physical I/O pins. Whereas, Modbus is the software interface (plugin) via Ethernet/TCP's between your hardware and Mach allowing for a lot of I/O signals.

92

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Soft Limits toggle

« on: June 07, 2015, 07:19:24 PM »

use this function instead...don't place it in the button because Lua will return false as it has already executed the function while the axes are still homing. gotta put the function in the screen load up script and call it from PLC based on a flag or output status (like if axeis is homed and true then turn on output 50 // <- put in signal table)...so in plc the function call will be if output 50 = true then call your soft limits function.

rc = mc.mcAxisHomeCompleteWithStatus(
      number mInst,
      number axisId
      number success);

93

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Getting the CHM (Help File), to launch with the F1 key in Windows 8.x

« on: June 07, 2015, 07:01:26 PM »

ooooo...that's nice. like really nice!

94

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Simple Lua code for softLimitsOn() after RefAllHome button execution

« on: June 07, 2015, 06:58:21 PM »

...better yet!   if (call function and returns value = true) then set soft limits = on

rc = mc.mcAxisHomeCompleteWithStatus(
      number mInst,
      number axisId
      number success);

95

Mach4 Videos / Re: Mach4 - Arduino and Touchscreen

« on: June 07, 2015, 06:28:40 PM »

...remote access to user's computer with live streaming action of mill....to write custom scripts for their specific requirement....

96

Mach4 Videos / Re: Mach4 - Arduino and Touchscreen

« on: June 07, 2015, 06:27:02 PM »

why not...attach a camera to a mircrocontroller and broadcast live to a server for you to watch anywhere...live streaming and control over the machine, if you are an authorized user ) idk, probably been done before...

or maybe for live education mach4 purposes?

97

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Soft Limits toggle

« on: June 07, 2015, 05:49:02 PM »

Love the toggle value argument pass to the function! Great idea.  alright now we are talking....global function tables! Someday I'll learn about metatables/methods too. haha.

--josh

98

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Simple Lua code for softLimitsOn() after RefAllHome button execution

« on: June 07, 2015, 05:42:27 PM »

Yep, I agree! Thanx for looking out. We could do this a couple ways like always...lol. Like using a global flag set = true in the RefAllAxis button script.

Screen load up script...
flagSoftLimits = false --define and initialize global flag

function autoSoftLimitSet () --define auto soft limits axis set for PLC script to call if global flag is true
local inst = mc.mcGetInstance ()
for i=0, 11 do; if mc.mcAxisIsEnabled(inst, i) == 1 and mc.mcAxisIsHomed (inst, i) == 1 then; mc.mcSoftLimitSetState (inst, i, 1) end; end
end

Button script...
   mc.AxisHomeAll(inst); flagSoftLimits = true

PLC....
if flagSoftLimits == true then autoSoftLimitsSet(); flagSoftLimits = false; end   --call function if global flag is true, execute, reset flag



....something like that I guess am I close? Better? I'm all about using the correct order of operations, process efficiencies, and safety. Thanx again!

--josh

99

Mach4 Videos / Re: Mach4 - Arduino and Touchscreen

« on: June 07, 2015, 05:20:09 PM »

sweet project!

Have you guys heard of MQTT?  "MQTT is a light-weight publish/subscribe messaging protocol, there are already MQTT C and Java libraries with Lua". Basically we would use telemetry sensing to conduct an I/O action. For example, the table is done moving -> auto contact the operator / alarm / etc / -> turn output 30 on (do something in Mach 4) ---or being able to actuate the mill with mach4 over the internet no matter where you are at --- or with passive RFID, we can authorize certain people to use the mill only...etc.

sensor + audrino = client
MQTT server = broker + logic (described as a 'topic')
Mach 4 = subscriber

1. we create a 'topic' on the MQTT server
so...by using sensors on the mill, attached to the audrino (with relays or whatever applicable shields)  using (wifi+PSU or power over Ethernet) will 'publish' a message to the corresponding 'topic'
2. the 'topic' is updated
3. Mach4 PLC has 'subscribed' to this topic and constantly looks to see for an update status, once the 'topic' is updated Mach 4 = do some user defined action

Have a looksy....http://www.eclipse.org/paho/
Got the idea from...http://superhouse.tv/

100

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Coffee Talk: Is Smurph to Mach 4 as Peter Smid is to Fanuc?

« on: June 06, 2015, 01:13:18 PM »

Haven't got into the 3D printing realm yet so I wasn't sure what it entails as in just hit "print"... by the nature of my job, I know that additive manufacturing is a hot topic (ie for shipbuilding and repair) as I just heard the words out of Frank Kendall's mouth (USD AT&L, look him up). Specifically, metals not plastics. There is a program out west that is in R&D. I believe some experimentation has had success using very very soft metals. I heard of a term called "contour crafting". (automated placement of a hose that dispenses concrete for construction purposes)...I was just trying blend Mach4 into the ability to incorporate into such projects. Yep, you are right. Just use Gcode and Mach4 is good at that

key words: R&D, prototyping, DARPA, program management, small business administration, "other transaction authority", federal acquisition regulation, gov contracting, FedBizOPPS -just trying to setup my future and thanx to Mach4 and everyone here, I may of just found it.