Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 21, 2016, 11:01:49 AM »

Hi Mike....
Sounds great...I'll have a look at the xml and let you know if I have any questions.  I'm behind the 8 ball this week with the holiday so it may be a few days before I can do anything.
I greatly appreciate your time and effort.
Regards Dave

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Using M98 and M99

« on: November 20, 2016, 09:13:16 AM »

Gee....I would have never thought to look in the manual that was written for the software.
I'm searching all over the web for the information.
They don't call me rookie for nothing!
Thanks RICH for pointing me in the direction of greatness.

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Using M98 and M99

« on: November 20, 2016, 12:55:56 AM »

Would someone be so kind as write a sample of code.  I've done several searches and watched numerous videos but still unclear about this one.  If I could see a sample of code I believe it would help me understand the commanded machine movements more.  I write a lot of simple linear codes for myself but I'm trying to understand more how the M98 function works.
Here is all I need the machine to do.  First I'll briefly describe the set up.  Mill...XYZ with a rotary A drive with a separate control so it does not need to be included in the code.  It just basically operates as a continuous rotating lathe spindle.  I need to slice off a row of "buttons" from a rotating piece in the A drive.  
So here is what I need the M98 code to do.....from X0 (the end of the part)Y0...Z0 will be top of the part.  The Z starts at 1. above Z0 then retract to .050 above Z0 for the clearance.
The X will do a G0 move to -.042 and the Z go -.25 at a G1Fxx from Z0 and just repeat that X and Z incremental move 25 times with the Z retracting to the .050 after each -.25 depth cut.
After it has completed all 25 passes return to X0Y0Z1.
I need a 1 inch Tool Length offset in the program.

So basically at the start of the program....Z will be 1. above the part at X0Y0 and have the X to move into the minus .042 of an inch and each time the X moves the Z needs to retract -.25....all this 25 times before return back to its start.

I would very much appreciate a sample of what this code should look like and I'm confident I can do my modifications, if needed, from there.

Thank you
Regards Dave aka cnc rookie

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 19, 2016, 09:26:52 AM »

Thanks Mike.....
I have a machine I use in my shop loaded with mach2 that is set up that way.  It's a 3 stepper set up.  X - Y and a spindle.  All 3 steppers are direct connects to the screws.   The spindle is programed just as that and you can even adjust the rpm while the program is running and see the rpm readout on the mach screen.
I've messed with it some more but just can't figure it out.
Unless they did a major change in the way the software works from mach2 to 3 I don't see why it cant be done.
But at this point ......who knows?

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 15, 2016, 07:53:18 PM »

Thanks Mike.....I had to pull back from my mill project for a couple days anyway so when ever you have a chance is fine.  I think my head was getting ready to explode.  Interesting stuff and I'm having fun learning about the software end of it but my real job keeps me overloaded also.  I'd enjoy a few more brains in the mix if they're out there and willing. 
Regards Dave

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 14, 2016, 11:19:37 AM »

I believe we're in the mix.  Forgot I had already named it so I was looking for something different.
I believe this may be the file your looking for.
Regards Dave

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 14, 2016, 09:49:17 AM »

Thanks Mike...
I appreciate the willingness to help me learn.
Let me see what I can figure out with the xml file when I get into the shop today.  I did some more reading yesterday but got in over my pay grade.  I need to pull back and like you say concentrate on one thing at a time.  Trying to understand what all the acronyms (PWM, etc) stand for.
Is there a page somewhere that may have a list of those? For me, it is very confusing to understand what I'm reading about if I run across those and don't understand what they stand for or their basic function.  I don't want an electronics engineer degree but I am very interested in this stuff and I'm trying to learn as I go.  Eventually I'll get there but I may be a little slow.
I feel fortunate I was able to get thru the computer stuff and have the machine moving on all 4 axis at this point.
Appreciate your time.
Dave

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 13, 2016, 04:54:00 PM »

Ok...so in between football games I messed with it a little.  Here's what I have....
I moved the pin numbers from the A to the spindle and enabled that with the same checks clicked
Then I went to the spindle page and enabled the spindle in the top middle of the page and clicked on step/dir
Here's what I get......on the MDI mach tab When I put a value in the spindle rpm (say 120) to test it then I click on F5... the number value goes to zero and the yellow light around the spindle function blinks like it's running but no movement.  The part that really has me stumped is I can't turn the spindle off and make the flashing yellow stop.  Have to hit the E-stop to make it quit flashing.
What is the spindle box in the bottom left on the spindle page?  maybe that's where I'm supposed to be?

So confused...........................

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 13, 2016, 11:07:40 AM »

Thanks Mike....
Yes, I did build it myself.  I collected the parts over 10 or so yrs ago and finally just got around to putting them together.  I finally got to know enough about my cnc BPT to be able cut the parts needed.  Stepper mounts and base and such.  You can see the steppers are the outdated round ones instead of square but they are working fine for my needs.
I got the BPT on a song and dance and have taught myself just enough to get into trouble with it.  Was able to get it hooked to a computer and transfer files to run parts.  I call it Dino..my Brontosaurus.  Boss 6 control but still functions fine.  At one time there was a guy on cnczone who made boards to be able to run the BPT on mach.  But I snoozed on them and they disappeared.  Not sure what happened...maybe liability issues or something.
Anyway.................. right now I have two separate issues with my new build.
#1....  Have all the motors turning in the right direction and the incremental distances correct to the DRO.  My initial thoughts are I would like to have the A turning as the spindle on the mach read out.  I've sat down and wrote a program that will operate the A the way it is set up now for one operation I want to do.  But still need the A to turn continually with controlled speed in the spindle function of mach in another program.
So i need the help with pin numbers and box clicks for that.

Issue#2......The control I'm using was originally assembled to run desknc (dos) so I believe some of the pin numbers may be a bit different.  It has gecko drives...540 I believe.
I had the controller hooked to another machine years ago and it has a relay wired into it that commands a 120V plug that is attached to the precise spindle I have on this machine.  I remember the controller uses m08 and m09 to turn the relay on and off.  I see this is the coolant on/off in mach.  I haven't changed anything in these settings in the Mach config but......if I plug my spindle into it now....it has a constant flow of 120v.  So I assume the relay is closed and it is allowing juice to flow full time.  I would also like very much to get this hooked up and be able to turn on/off my precise spindle using the m08/m09 functions in mach if possible.  The precise already has it's own speed control 0 to 45K so I don't need the spindle in mach for this function.  Just the on/off function.  I went back through all of my old papers i have on the desknc pin outs and it appears the m08/9 function was pinned on #16.

Please forgive my greeness......what is a XML file? where would i find it and how would I post it?
Thanks for your willingness to put up with me.
Regards Dave

10

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 and A axis....

« on: November 12, 2016, 08:56:39 PM »

Can someone help me with the config on my machine please.  I need to configure the A axis run as the spindle in Mach3.
I assume it can done as I have a machine already running like that but its Mach2 and the config sections are different so it was no help.  I've tried every combination I can think of to get to work but to no avail.
All 4 axis are running fine and tuned I just need to switch the A.
I included a picture of my newly built machine so you have an idea what I need.  I don't care that its running on a stepper and speeds are limited yada yada yada.  I would just like it to just turn at a controllable thru the spindle option at a constant speed for the entire length of the programs I write.
Thanks for any and all help.