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1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mdi is not a MODE

« on: November 09, 2016, 03:39:53 PM »

Guys,  I apologize for my take on this.  Here's the deal, if an endmill had killed me, it would mean nothing to me (how could it after the fact).  If an endmill had hit me in the shoulder and caused serious damage, as soon as I was well enough, I'd be right back at the machine playing with it again.  Introduce an employee, its just very different and has completely changed my mindset on what it is I am trying to do here.  Love Mach and all it is about.  Just not right for me at this point.  Didn't mean to bring up legalities and was wrong for doing so.  But, those with opinions on how legal issues work out should understand that for every lawyer that argues one way, another 50 can be bought to argue it another way.  Who wins the heart of the court is always 50/50.  Nothing is ever black and white.  I would never sell this machine as a functioning unit.  I consider the matter closed and appreciate all the help I got from you guys.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Mdi is not a MODE

« on: November 08, 2016, 07:41:29 PM »

I greatly appreciate the mod's response.  You guys live in a very dangerous world.  If I had to bet where this is going, I'd put up a bunch.
"If responsibility is to be apportioned it lies with you and you alone."
That offends me because I really thought I was dong this right based on all available documentation.  As I ponder the phrase, you are exactly right.  Because I took control of this machine, it's liabilities lie with me.  Only a jury can decide if I lie alone.  Hopefully, this never comes to pass.
I appreciate whats trying to be done here.  Hope Mach 4 developers with the high price point goal  understand what's at stake.  Charge all you want, kill a few folks across multiple countries.  Goood luck.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Mdi is not a MODE

« on: November 07, 2016, 08:10:27 PM »

To be clear, Stirling called it right is my guess (as he corrected me when no one else had a clue about programing with bits and integers).  But I want to be clear and feel I did what I was supposed to do.  I am using the CSLabs plugin with mach 3 version 3.043.66 which is not the version you are pointed to when buying from scratch.
Heres a link to what I did.  Basically mapped an input to the oem trigger function for cycle/start.

I just want to be sure that the "crappy code people have added" is not on me.  If so, I'll stand corrected (OCS folks may truely understand that one) and I'll be a champion.

Heres the link to what I did.

http://www.cs-lab.eu/en/artykul-111-STARTSTOPPAUSE_buttons_configuration_on_an_operator_panel.html

I didn't know that I had further control of the oem trigger.  If I did, shame on me.  If not, shame on........

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Mdi is not a MODE

« on: November 03, 2016, 08:58:37 PM »

A little update.  I tested this on my kneemill that doesn't have a hard switch for cycle start.  But the short cut key is Crtl+R on the keyboard.  This will not activate the program if on the MDI screen.  Have no clue what happens if an input on a parrellel port is used.  My setup is CSLABS ethernet contol box.

Honestly, I have no idea how the founders and the aftermarket folks haven't actually sent an endmill through someone's skull.  The bugs are beyond insane.

Have a recently retrofitted VFI that is now forsale cheap.  Located in Virginia-US.  It works great but full of bugs.  Was going to gut the contol package that I just put in and try out linuxCnc.  In the end, I make money on this machine and I'm trying to teach a noob how to do some machining.  This ain't working at all.  A new haas is a lot cheaper than dead employee.

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General Mach Discussion / Mdi is not a MODE

« on: November 03, 2016, 07:55:34 PM »

So just learned that if you are in the MDI screen and press the hard cycle/start button (shouldn't be doing that but I did), Mach executes the current program on the main screen.  Crashed a 3/4 endmill 1 inch deep into the vice at G0 speed.  Broke endmill, destroyed hard jay on chuck and broke retaining stud on cat 40 tool holder).  Glad I closed the doors before I did that.

Is there a way to disable the cycle start button when on the MDI screen.  I get that I should not have done that BUT.......

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Haas VF1 Conversion

« on: August 19, 2016, 10:45:09 PM »

Oh, be sure to crank up the speed. File is running at 10 inches per minute.  Try it at much higher speeds to see the issue, although, I have seen it at even this low speed.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Haas VF1 Conversion

« on: August 19, 2016, 10:19:17 PM »

Hood,
I have test driven version 62 and mach4 with mixed results.  Can't completely say what is happening in each one yet but issue seems consistant across the board.  Their seems to be a major delay in stopping when using feed/hold.


I am attaching a gcode file.  Its in inches.  This part is nothing but radiuses.  Hoping you would be kind enough to play with it.  What I have noticed is that if you play with this file and hit feed/hold and start, you will see the issue.  It seems to just depend on when you press the Hold.  Eventlually, you will see your tool path cut across the part to the next known gcode coordinate.  This is true on a desktop setup with/with parallel port configured and its definately true on the actual machine with cslabs.

Even 1 second is insane.  At 300 inches per minute, that's 5 inches per second of travel.  On a commercial machine, hitting Feed/Hold stop the axis about as fast as the decel time would allow.  A few milliseconds.  And of course it would know where it is at when all was said and done.

I think if you have a bunch of linear moves, the problem is completely hidden unless you happen to get it hung up on a corner.  My guess is that even though it appears to be right, I bet a bunch of steps are lost.  Could only know for sure by running an actual part and doing the Start-Pause-Start...... over and over and then check the part.  I bet its crap.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Haas VF1 Conversion

« on: August 18, 2016, 07:48:27 PM »

Wow.  They sure buried that link.  Finally found out how to find it.

http://www.machsupport.com/    Must Highlite "Software And Downloads"  Then choose MACH3
On Left, choose "Downloads and Updates"          http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/

Now choose "FTP DOWNLOADS"
Then choose "FTP SERVER-MAIN MENU"

Then Choose MACH3
Then PICK YOUR POISON


Can't believe I had to post to find out how to link to an older version.  I get a feeling I'm about to be banned from this site.  With a valid reason for once.  Come on guys.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Haas VF1 Conversion

« on: August 18, 2016, 07:13:43 PM »

Hood,
So what would be the proper procedure to install a previous version.  Don't want to loose all the settings and macros.


Also, can you give me link to older versions.  NewFangled site only seems to have 66 linked?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Haas VF1 Conversion

« on: August 18, 2016, 06:59:32 PM »

Its probably some 8th century poet wrote that and I am just showing my stupidty in thinking I'm clever.