Messages

31

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Threading

« on: January 15, 2016, 01:54:34 PM »

Very nice! I'd like to try this one day. Questions, Mach 3 or 4? What software is generating your wizard?

32

Promote and discuss your product / Re: New PMDX-424 SmartBOB-IsoUSB is going to Cabin Fever.

« on: January 14, 2016, 09:14:25 AM »

Missed you in Lorton last week. Can't wait to see you and the new SmartBOB Saturday!

Jonathon

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 with PMDX 126 & ESS

« on: December 15, 2015, 12:28:14 PM »

I'm located just outside of Washington, DC. I'm not sure I can help you on the spindle pr tool changer, I did see your thread over at PMDX. This one might help https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,20227.0.html . Maybe Tweaky can chime in as it appears he's done a retrofit on the same machine.

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Selecting the right equipment for a Bridgeport BOSS retrofit

« on: December 15, 2015, 11:28:58 AM »

I just finished a Boss 5 retrofit with Mach4, and still left the air solenoids in-tact. No problems with Mach4 any more since the new updates. I don't see why you would want Mach to control the solenoids opposed to a VFD without an inductive sensor on the spindle, PWM is pretty accurate. I use the front panel switch to control mine (24vdc solenoids), along with the brake. I went with PMDX126 BOB, PMDX 107 spindle control, Hitachi WJ200 3hp VFD (single phase input, 3 phase output) also added a brake, ESS, Leadshine DM2282 drivers (tuning software was able to microstep original steppers 8x surprisingly nice). The spindle LOW GEAR reverses spindle direction, keep that in mind. You shouldn't use the pneumatic brake to stop the spindle, only for tool changes... I wired the bijour pump to come on only when the spindle is running. Right now i'm about to start an enclosure for a 17" LCD touch screen, leaving enough room for a control panel that i'll integrate with a pokeys56 usb interface to mach4. I can send you some pictures/video if interested, just pm me. I might also have some extra sets of switches as I bought three Boss 5's worth of extra parts when I got my machine.

I was running an Athlon 64 at first, ancient machine but did okay when disabling the cutter path in Mach 4. Last month I picked up an older used Intel i-7 for $300 off CL and runs like a champ.

 I'm not a fan of chinese boards and i'm lucky to attend PMDX HQ for monthly CNC meetings so if you can afford it, I highly recommend.

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 with PMDX 126 & ESS

« on: December 14, 2015, 11:54:15 AM »

My bridgeport had 24v air motor solenoids that controlled the spindle brake, and varispeed for the spindle. I found a 24v & 5v power supply from automation direct that allowed me to power the solenoids and the ESS off one power supply. What type of machine do you have, type of spindle, etc.? My spindle is a 3 phase, using a single phase to 3 phase VFD without the need for relays for spindle reverse.

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 with PMDX 126 & ESS

« on: December 14, 2015, 11:46:14 AM »

No other hardware is required except spindle control if you need it. I have no idea what type of machine you have. Mine is a retrofitted Bridgeport CNC Mill. I'm using the PMDX-107 spindle controller (PWM signals to my VFD) mounted to my PMDX-126 as well. Note, the 126 can supply 5v power to ONE, either the ESS or the 107 but not both. In that case you would need an extra power supply, which can be a simple AC-DC adapter.

The only issue I had with Mach 4 & ESS was the homing offset, which Daz has created a work around for. My X and Y +/-/home limits are all on the same switch and was having troubles sometimes when I hit the switch, limit over ride wouldn't work backing off them. I had to manually disassemble some things and turn my ball screws off them. Since the new version of Mach 4, I haven't had any more problems.


Royce

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 with PMDX 126 & ESS

« on: December 09, 2015, 09:06:57 AM »

I'm using Mach4, PMDX126 & ESS just fine. Sure there are a few bugs and "less features" but over the past year there has been incredible progress made with Mach4. One day Mach 3 will no longer be supported. My preference, Mach 4.

38

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero

« on: November 24, 2015, 04:45:54 PM »

If you downloaded 4.2.2803 on a fresh install it should have defaulted to wx4.set screen. Judging by your picture it looks like you are using wxMach.set screen. Go to view, load screen, and select wx4.set.

39

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Single Switch, Homing + Limits

« on: August 01, 2015, 12:47:47 AM »

I'll be at Steve's CNC meeting this week @ PMDX's HQ and bring the topic up. I'll report back on my findings unless anyone has any more information. BTW, seems there's not a register link on Warp9's site for me to access the forums unless my login information was setup when I purchased the ESS.

**Edit**
After googling "warp9 forums register" it brought me to the page on the third listing.

40

Mach4 General Discussion / Single Switch, Homing + Limits

« on: August 01, 2015, 12:24:45 AM »

I've been scouring the forums for the past couple months now and have spent the last two months completely retrofitting new controls for a Bridgeport Boss 5 Series 1 CNC. I'm using a PMDX-126 BOB & ESS, along with the original steppers and Leadshine DM2282 drivers. The first thing I did before my controls were built was wiring the limit switches to NC. With these Bridgeports, as far as the X+Y axis go, its only one limit switch. I've assigned them in mach, and have the limits working properly. However i'm having troubles setting up the homing. I.E., in M4 X axis has --, ++ & Home as the same input. When I try to home my axis it will of course hit the limit switch. I am unable to limit override and jog off because Mach sees + & - hit (my theory). This freezes movement on X,Y & Z axis. I have to manually disable the + axis to jog off the switches, restarting Mach4 several times. Also it seems that if I close Mach when a limit switch has been hit, it won't show it under diagnostics on next start up. It will only show that the limit switch has been hit if I go into the Mach setup screen, and exit out. What am I missing here?