Messages

91

PoKeys / Re: Touch probe wirring and connection

« on: July 28, 2016, 01:04:32 AM »

Don't have a PoKeys, but if it's calling for an external pull-up resistor that looks correct.  I usually see a resistor value of 4.7k specified.  I'm not sure how important the value is, though, as a pull-up resistor simply prevents a direct short when the switch is closed.  In a circuit such as this, the Probe Input will sense a low (GND) when the switch is closed.  When the switch is open, this point will sense the applied voltage (5V in this case) since the resistor is a relatively low value compared to infinite resistance of the open switch contact.  Too high a value of the resistor could result in slightly less than applied voltage but it 10K vs. 4.7K shouldn't make much difference.

Bottom line, if the documentation calls for a specific value.  Otherwise, a value in the range of 4.7 - 10K should work just fine.  But your diagram is right on the money for this application.

Stephen "Highspeed" Kruse

92

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XHc HB04 Pendant Configuration

« on: July 25, 2016, 03:23:21 PM »

Any ideas anyone?

Highspeed

93

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using Android device as a 'pendant' for Mach3 (Working)

« on: July 25, 2016, 03:19:46 PM »

Nice, the only concern i have is that team viewer always seemed pretty processor intensive, may not be an issue if your pc has some big cahona's

Or using one of the USB/Ethernet Motion Controller interfaces as these off-load a lot of the Mach3 processing from the main computer to the Motion Controller device.

Highspeed

94

General Mach Discussion / Re: General Config “Charge Pump ON in Estop”

« on: July 25, 2016, 03:15:28 PM »

It kind of depends on how your e-stop button is wired.  My system originally came with the e-stop button only set to turn off the 24vDC to the controller and stepper drivers.  (It didn't even have a mechanism to stop the spindle!)  So I re-wired my system to use the other contact on the e-stop button to connect to the e-stop signal on the board.  This tells Mach3 that the e-stop was pressed (something it didn't "see" before) and stop processing immediately - even before the power can fade out from being cut off.

So first question is, does Mach3 go into Emergency Mode when you activate the e-stop button?  (i.e. Is the switch actually wired to your BOB/Motion Controller card?)  Many of the less expensive systems have the e-stop button wired the way mine was.  Others put it in the same switch/wiring system as the limit switches like in the wiring diagram at the back of the Mach3 manual.  I like to have it on its' own separate signal, especially since my BOB has an input pin labeled for such use which was originally not wired.  Fortunately, my e-stop button had two contacts; one normally closed (open when e-stop pressed) used to cut the 24vDC power (I may remove this one later so that the system is still in an operational state) and one normally open (closed when e-stop is pressed) to send an "active low" signal from the "Common" pin of the board to the e-stop signal pin.  Of course I had to configure this pin in the Inputs tab of the Ports and Pins configuration.

Once you have your e-stop actually communicating with Mach3 (which it may already be) then it's beyond my scope of knowledge in terms of the Charge Pump usage as my system is not currently using that.

Hope this helps,

Stephen "Highspeed" Kruse

95

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble installing Mach3 License on windows 10 laptop?

« on: July 25, 2016, 03:03:29 PM »

The Mach3 Loader simply installs the controller software.  A seperate license file is needed to get it out of the "Demo" mode.  Do you have such a license file?  Where was it purchased from?

Generally, you just copy this license file into the Mach3 directory.  Once done, start up Mach3 and in the Help | About Mach3 CNC Controller... window you should see "Licensed to: " and an entry showing your name.

That should do it for you.  If you have not purchased a license or have lost your original, contact ArtSoft or the vendor you purchased your license from originally to obtain a new/replacement license file.

Stephen "Highspeed" Kruse

96

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to show Spindle RPM in MACH4

« on: July 25, 2016, 02:56:45 PM »

As I understand it, and if it is like Mach 3, then yes - you'll need a feedback loop.  I don't know the specifics but in the Spindle configuration there should be a check box for turning this function on and then some P, I, and D settings to fine tune for stable operation.  You'll need a pulse input from a synchronizing system (usually a disc that spins with the spindle and has 1 or more slots that are detected by a sensor) to input these pulses on an input pin configured for this purpose.  Then you can have the RPM DRO show the RPM calculated from this feedback system.

I've never done this so I'm not sure of all the details.  Have a good read through the manual.  There should be a section in the configuration chapter that goes over this.

Stephen "Highspeed" Kruse

97

FAQs / Re: Zero Tool not reading allowance

« on: July 24, 2016, 05:58:21 PM »

Hey!  Looks like you're making progress on multiple fronts!  Got the homing working correctly and now this, too.  Congratulations!!!!

To check which version you're running, go to "Help | About Mach3 CNC Controller..." and it'll show you the version right below the "Licensed to:" box.

Highspeed

98

FAQs / Re: Sample gcode need larger scale

« on: July 24, 2016, 05:53:03 PM »

Awesome! Glad you got that sorted out.  Glad to help.

Highspeed

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: 2M542 & Mach3 settings

« on: July 24, 2016, 04:46:59 PM »

Ah, ok. Thanks.

Highspeed

100

General Mach Discussion / Re: 2M542 & Mach3 settings

« on: July 24, 2016, 03:18:53 PM »

Micro steps are usually set with DIP switches on the stepper driver module, but it sounds like you're trying to change this in a configuration screen.  Try adjusting it on the driver module itself.

Stephen "Highspeed" Kruse