Messages

11

CS-Lab / Re: Setting LEDs to show Output activity on CSMIO IP/A

« on: September 29, 2015, 06:24:41 AM »

On the Controller, there are numerous Outputs that control things like Vacuum relays. Rather than use the standard OUTPUT# options in Port and Pins, these Outputs are switched on and off by using a button on the screen which executes standard basic code. eg, to switch on output 1 on the controller I code:

SetCsmioOut (90, 1)

However, because this output is not represented in Ports/Pins I can't just select that OUTPUT# in the list of options for the LED. Hence the need for a different approach.

I think it should be easy. I already do a similar thing for Input LED indicators using the following code:

====================================================================
Private ind As Integer
Sub Main   
      
   For ind = 0 To 31
      If GetCsmioIn(ind) Then
         SetUserLed((1100 + ind), 1)
      Else
         SetUserLed((1100 + ind), 0)
      End If
   Next ind
   
   If ind > 31 Then
      ind = 0
   End If
   
End Sub   
   
'------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'CSMIO/IP-S/A in

Public Function GetCsmioIn (n As Integer) As Boolean
   Dim reg As Integer
   Dim tmp As Integer
   
   tmp = n
   
   If(tmp < 16) Then
      reg = 90
   Else
      reg = 91
      tmp = tmp - 16
   End If
   
   If(GetInBit(reg, tmp)) Then
      GetCsmioIn = true
   Else
      GetCsmioIn = false
   End If
   Exit Function
End Function
=========================================================================

However, I don't think there is a comparable statement of GetCsmioIn for Outputs, ie GetCsmioOut?

Many thanks
Mark

12

CS-Lab / Setting LEDs to show Output activity on CSMIO IP/A

« on: September 28, 2015, 12:05:10 PM »

Hi,

I'm using the CS-Lab CSMIO IP/A Controller, with Mach3. I want to display LEDs to show the state of my outputs.

Can someone advise on the Macro code to use as I'm struggling to get it working at the mo! (Noob)

I know that there are some special VB actions that are used with CSMIO, eg SetCsmioOut and GetCsmioIn so I wondered if there was a GetCsmioOut function?

Many thanks

Mark

13

CS-Lab / Juddering X Axis even without running

« on: September 24, 2015, 10:46:08 AM »

Hi

My machine has started to judder back and forth when I enable my drives by pressing Reset on the Mach3 screen.

It is similar to the autotune process that is used by CS-LABS Plugin Controller for CSMIO IP/A.

The axis is only moving back and forth approximately 100 pulses of the 10000 pulse per motor rev. I can jog the axis while this is happening, but the juddering continues.

After a minute the juddering settles down and things seem OK, until I then move the axis again and juddering starts once more.

It wasn't doing this before, but I have been playing the settings a lot!

I think it may be a tuning or mach3 config problem but has anyone got ideas on where to look first?

Many thanks
Mark

14

VB and the development of wizards / Re: How to create G-code from entries on the Mach3 screen

« on: September 21, 2015, 09:27:57 AM »

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for your assistance. I have tried it and it worked first time!

I don't suppose you know about whether the Mach3 program would automatically rotate my Knife A Axis to the direction of travel would it? Haven't tried to test this yet, but it would be great if it does - I think it is something to do with Tangential Control, but I am not sure and the manuals are very brief on this.

Many thanks again for your help
Mark

15

VB and the development of wizards / How to create G-code from entries on the Mach3 screen

« on: September 21, 2015, 05:21:35 AM »

Good day,

I have a machine that is a knife cutter. It has a rotational axis on A for the knife angle, and the knife is carried on a bridge using the X and Y.

The machine uses 2.5D option to control Z, which is a ram that moves the knife up and down.

The product only needs to be cut vertically or horizontally, so the A axis only needs to move between 0 degrees for horizontal cut and 90 degrees for vertical cuts. (That said, I wondered if the Tangential toggle would be able to automatically rotate the knife to the direction of travel, but I've not tested this yet?)

Therefore, what I would like to do is provide two DROs on the screen for the user to enter, say, the start position of the vertical cut, one for the X distance and one for the Y distance. These values would be given a variable name that would be called into the G-Code.

For example, to perform a vertical cut of the 500mm wide sheet at 1000mm in length, the user would enter the X DRO as 1000 and the Y DRO as 500, and if the operator presses a button called Vertical Cut these values would produce a GCODE something like:

G0 A90
G0 X1000 Y500
G1 Z-1
G1 X1000 Y0
G1 Z1
G0 X0 Y0

The first line positions the knife vertically, and would always be present for GCODE generated when the Vertical Cut button is pressed. The Z commands trigger the ram to plunge the knife down prior to the cut and then lift it back up again. The vertical GCODE for the cut would always be the same X value, and the Y value would always be Y0. i.e. The machine only cuts all the way through the sheet, and does not cut partially. 

For a horizontal cut, the GCODE generated would be the same, but the A command would always be A0 to position the knife horizontally. And the cut motion would be the same Y value as the DRO entry, but the X would return to X0.

Hope this makes sense. If you want to see the machine check our website: www.polycut-uk.com

I've a VB and Mach3 Novice (but I'm learning fast!)

We are using the CS-LAB CSMIO IP-A controller, and KINCO Servo drives for XY and A.

Any advice on how best to do this would be appreciated.

Many thanks
Mark

16

General Mach Discussion / DS26C31 Power Malfunction Error

« on: August 19, 2015, 10:51:13 AM »

The first time I plugged my PC loaded with Mach3 into my CSMIO IP/A controller, and then pressed the RESET screen button, I get the DS26C31 Power Malfunction Error box appear

Anyone know wht this means and how I fix it?

I have tried it with another PC and it gave the same problem.

The Ethernet connection is working as I can Ping the controller from the PC. And the firmware download was fine too.

It is just the Mach3 interface that appears to having a problem.

Many thanks
Mark

17

Machscreen Screen Designer / Assigning Outputs to Buttons - not enough outputs!

« on: August 19, 2015, 07:11:10 AM »

Hi,

I have a machine that requires 30 outputs from the controller.

I've designed my screen for Mach3 using Machscreen, and I can assign to each output button the function from the drop down list. These give me the standard functions, like reference and home etc, and I see that there are general output options called OEM OUTPUT4 ON. However, there are only four different OUTPUT options.

Does anyone know if I can create more general OUTPUT commands for switching valve etc?

Or am I going about it in the wrong way?

Many thanks

Mark