Messages

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 camera Plugin

« on: June 11, 2018, 12:47:42 PM »

I recently found out that there is a camera plugin available for Mach3 that allows you to display a live video feed from a webcam. I would love to use something like this with Mach4 for finding and setting my X and Y zero location. Does anyone know if this is also available for Mach4? If not, is it possible to develop this functionality using the Lua programming interface or would it have to be a dedicated plugin?

Thank you
Keith

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Using registers to control screen gauges

« on: September 26, 2017, 08:56:14 AM »

You're correct, it wasn't that hard once I figured out the code. I had just assumed that there was going to be a way to directly link the register to the display through the properties of the display. I wasn't complaining, I just wanted toi make sure I didn't overlook a simpler solution.

Thanks
Keith

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Using registers to control screen gauges

« on: September 26, 2017, 08:07:46 AM »

That is actually what I did last night. I was just wondering if there was a more direct solution. In the end I added code to the PLC script that would read the MODBUS register and modify the "Value" field of the specific screen element. This has worked out very nicely and I now have complete control of my spindle via MODBUS

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Using registers to control screen gauges

« on: September 25, 2017, 02:07:19 PM »

I am trying to make some changes to my Mach4 screen layout and one of the things I want to do is add a new gauge or meter to display my VFD load. I am getting the data from the VFD via Modbus and I am putting the value into a global persistent register. What I want to do now is have the register value be used to control the gauge. When I edit the gauge properties I only see an option to use a DRO code for controlling the meter. Is it possible to control it with a register? Is there any way to add new DRO Codes to the list so I could use that instead?

Thanks
Keith

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 modbus plugin problems

« on: September 15, 2017, 08:12:44 AM »

Just as an update I have found and fixed the problem. In my windows 7 setup there were several services that were turned off, one of which was causing the problem. I'm not sure which one was the issue but when I set them all back to the default state the problem went away.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 modbus plugin problems

« on: September 13, 2017, 07:07:35 AM »

Thanks for your help. I can get as far as the second screen shot but that is where the Port menu is not populated. I have attached a screen shot. I thought at first that for some reason the plugin did not like the built in serial ports on the computer so I tried an external USB serial port with the same result. The computer itself does detect the serial ports as I can use them using Teraterm. The "Serial" plugin in Mach4 also sees them as well. It is just the Modbus plugin that is having the issue.

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 modbus plugin problems

« on: September 11, 2017, 01:07:34 PM »

I'm having an issue with the Mach4 Modbus plugin. When I go to set up a new modbus serial connection, it is not giving me any options for the serial port. The "port" dropdown is completely blank. I know there are two serial ports in the computer as they show up in the Serial plugin config. I tried it on a different computer and the ports show up correctly. I am using version 3481.

Anyone gave any thoughts?

Thanks
Keith

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 controlling a spindle with MODBUS

« on: July 18, 2017, 01:07:22 PM »

I am getting ready to set up my new router and I have a few questions with setting up the spindle. I am using a Hitachi WJ200 VFD to drive the spindle and I want to control it with MODBUS over the RS-485 link. I have the hardware all wired up and I'm starting the software configuration right now.

1.   Is there a plugin available for controlling the WJ200?
2.   If no specific plugin is available, can I modify any other VFD plugin to work with this drive?
3.   Has anyone ever used this drive and can provide me with any setup information?

Thank you for all the help.

Keith