Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with SmoothStepper Hardware Remote Start and Stop

« on: March 20, 2019, 01:16:34 PM »

Thanks. Could you share where you would write the VB code
Thanks

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with SmoothStepper Hardware Remote Start and Stop

« on: March 20, 2019, 08:55:37 AM »

Thanks, yes my experience with CNC milling is actually 0, but have some Design techs that run our Haas machines working on this as well and agree that we still have a lot of learning to do with mach3 so as you suggested, will stay with that but always having to think down the road since we are a R&D department.
Without going into a lot of detail we actually will not be moving a end mill installed in a spindle, we are working at using the x,y,z and taking images we create with imaging software and then convert it to Z code and using the machine do move the x,y,z axis in the exact path of the shape of the image and instead of a spindle or router device we have a large nozzle mounted on the tip that is applying what I will refer to as a gasket type material in the shape of the end product we produced.  So far, our testing has been great but now to the point where we are asking questions such as how could the machine be started remotely and then is it possible to get a output from the machine when it is done with the image, if so could we then automatically remove the product and move in place the next item etc. 
Hope you understand that due to a lot of restrictions can not go into a lot detail of exactly what the end product is.
At the moment also looking at since the Cncrouter unit we purchased with the Ethernet smoot stepper control board was preconfigured to accept a external AC inverter that can also be purchased as kit to control a spindle but instead of a spindle control the output of a very large floor mounted extrusion machine.
Your advise has been very helpful and I am sure we will have a lot of questions as we continue, but since it is a R&D as you know we are always asked to try and prove a concept with as little money as possible and then if it is proved then move to full machine manufucturers, integrators,, etc. 
Thanks

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with SmoothStepper Hardware Remote Start and Stop

« on: March 19, 2019, 06:27:00 PM »

Thanks. This unit was purchased from Cncrouterparts and it is a very well designed and built unit with great instructions and documentation. Have no background in Gcode but was able to assemble and hook the Electronic kit and components up and follow the very well written instructions to get it to actually run.  Have been able to create a file of a image and run it on the machine. At the moment just working to get as familiar with this and Mach3 and using the plugin Lazycam to create the Gcode files from DXF files and experiment.  Actually nervous about  making a whole of changes since not very familiar with it and have actually left everything set up as it came from the builder. 
If i downloaded Mach4 and connected to it the same as we are with Mach3 and tried to get everything setup as similiar as possible to Mach3 such as Configurations etc. could you possible share what kind of problems we might run into?
Thanks

14

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 with SmoothStepper Hardware Remote Start and Stop

« on: March 19, 2019, 01:56:48 PM »

Working with a xyz table we purchased from Cncrouterparts that has a SmoothStepper as the brains and uses Mach3 to control the table.
Is there a way to remotely start the table from a input into the unit and when completed give a output that could be used remotely to know that cycle is complete, move the completed item out of the way and then we will be designing a feed type table to feed new product into place and once in place then start the xyz table?
In other words, we will the xyz table and automatically feed something into position and the start the xyz table and once the part is completed then give a remote output that could be used to signal the control system that part is complete now move it out of the way and move a new item in position on the xyz table.
Thanks

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Auto Tool Zero

« on: March 19, 2019, 01:42:04 PM »

Thanks.
A

16

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Auto Tool Zero

« on: March 19, 2019, 08:52:46 AM »

New to this and using this forum to try and learn more and hopefully someone can help with the following.
Have a Pro48 unit purchased from CNCrouterparts and it is a awesome unit and have went to directions and have got the machine to run. Have followed youtube videos and went through the Auto Tool Zero steps using the touch probe unit we purchased from Cncrouterparts to set the x,y, and z axis zero reference as to where to acutally start on our work table and it works perfect. What i am trying to figure out is after we go through this procudure to set the Auto Tool Zero is there a way to save that permanently so that if we turn the machine off or turn the PC off we do not have to go through that procedure everytime we turn them off.

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3d printer

« on: December 06, 2018, 08:41:28 AM »

Thanks
New to this, background is in PLC controls and design but very interested in learning as much as possible.
Another person in our group creates our 3D files and then uses Mastercam and he used Slicer to create the G code since we would be using a extruder he thought that was the right package to use. He then downloaded the G code file into the SmoothStepper control board that is used in the CNC kit machine we was testing that has the SmoothStepper and was running Mach3.
Went to Wasp9 web site and saw some software packages they recommend for CNC type machines and saw that Solid Works has a free add on.
Autodesk HSMXpress software is a 2.5 axis CAM plug in designed to work seamlessly with SOLIDWORKS that if he looks into using a software to create his Gcode files such as this and then download it into smooth stepper and have a reference to a Spindle we could use that 0-10 volt output that is capable with the CNC kit Electronics on the machine we was testing.
Still doing a lot of reading and trying to learn.  Thanks for any suggestions and comments.

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3d printer

« on: December 05, 2018, 07:38:21 AM »

Thanks. Actually the machine has a EthernetSmoother that has a breakout board and a 0-10v signal that says it has a dedicated on board 0-10v signal that can be used to control a spindle.
Being new to CNC or 3D printer machines myself, we have another person who uses a software package to create a 3D image of something we need to make on Hass CNC machines.  After the 3d image is created he downloads that into the Hass machine.

With what we are looking at trying to do now, he will still be creating the 3D image but at the moment he plans to use a program called Slic3r to create the G code and then download into the EtherSmooth Stepper.  My question is since he planes to use Slic3r which appears to be geared more toward 3d printers how will it, or how does it know when the program finishes slicing the 3d image to create the G code to control the on/off and speed of a spindle?

19

General Mach Discussion / 3d printer

« on: December 04, 2018, 02:29:33 PM »

Ethernet smoother and Mach3, how can we use this to control a external AC inverter that could be used to control the speed of a floor mount extruder?
Thanks