Messages

21

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach 4 configuration manual

« on: January 26, 2021, 07:36:17 AM »

I am new to Mach 4 having got used to Mach 3 , and i understand that we are now in Mach 4  version 2 and has been so for a couple of years.
I am using it in lathe configuration and the manual available to me in the documentation section is Version 1  2014
I found no difficulty in setting up X and Z motions which were pretty intuitive . But setting up spindle control and pully gearing does not seem (to me ) to be well covered . I am also wondering if there is a more up to date version of the manual too, as the windows I am seeing do not seem to correspond with what the manual shows .

Can anyone guide me to a current version or even an independent (for dummies ) book.

Thanks

22

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 22, 2021, 05:54:12 PM »

Have sent the query to Artsoft  .
Now waiting with bated breath.

Mach support supplied a remote connection link and while I was having my dinner  the problem was resolved in my absence . Came back after dinner and a notepad message told me UC100 was now connecting.
I will ask tomorrow if they can tell me what was wrong for the sake of others who may have similar probs .

Maybe they will be good enough to come here and tell us what I had done wrong. I have no objection to total honesty if it was all my fault .  I will ask them to complete the story.

I will now embark on the configuration process, but already  I  have the tool post whizzing about at silly speeds .  Probably need a bit of motor tuning but that will be tomorrow.

Thanks to all that have tried to help .  Will come back if I can get more info on what I might have done wrong

John

23

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 22, 2021, 12:01:51 PM »

Have sent the query to Artsoft  .
Now waiting with bated breath.

24

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 22, 2021, 09:58:32 AM »

They are indeed in the correct plugins file RHT.   They had been placed there by CNCdrive auto installer option so all OK there .
CNC drive seem beaten by the problem hence (maybe) there suggestion that Artsoft should be able to resolve .
Would be nice if someone could!!!!!

25

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 22, 2021, 07:36:28 AM »

Hi there .
The files are all there .  CNCdrive suggest it is Artsofts problem not recognising "their" plugin 
but the files are all safely stashed in their plugin file . See attached

Actually I am getting a bit peeved about being passed from pillar to post so the pmdx option is tempting, along with a package including Mach 4 licence.  A single source for the product I guess would  imply a single house solution. Either they support me  make it work or it goes back for a refund .  Not like this game ping pong I am now being part of.

Just to be clear on the application I will be using it on a Boxford TCL Lathe which is currently on Mach 3 with UC100.
Unfortunately it does not recognise the spindle pulleys function, and the threading function on Mach 3 isnt workable .
I can put up with a shortage of inputs as this is to me a learning project .  As they say "any old bike is good enough to learn on "  (daren't say that to the wife though)  I would hope though that I can move the device  on to my next project. I would hope to convert a turret lathe such as the Hardinge HC some of which are available for peanuts prices.
 
Maybe  in the circumstances I should consider an ethernet device ??


What lathe do you have and do these functions work on your lathe with pmdx411  ?

26

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 21, 2021, 04:37:54 PM »

No further forward . Still wont work

27

Mach4 Plugins / Re: Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 21, 2021, 05:52:59 AM »

Thank you for that.
Maybe a more informed view of the prospects than what i have seen so far.  And a perspective on the Mach Vs UCCNC competition ,
I was advised early on that  UCCNC did not really have a decent piece if software for a lathe .
I chose to stick with Mach 3 for early testing mainly because I was familiar with it , but I do see significant failings and there are suggestions that Mach 4 overcomes those , and I being the owner of a UC100 I chose to try that first  .

I have a response on cncdrive forum which suggests the following:-
MAke sure the .net framework 3.5 is installed (enabled in the Windows features on Win 10.)

beyond that  the advice to install the Mach 4 plugin are much as I have already carried out.
I will try that later and report back

Thanks

28

Mach4 Plugins / Mach 4 wont recognise UC100 controller

« on: January 20, 2021, 01:40:06 PM »

I have run my lathe happily  on Mach 3 with the CNCdrive controller http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html
There are some functionality problems with  spindle pulleys and threading , and I was advised that  Mach 4  would overcome these, which is what i am wanting to test .

I have installed Mach 4  , then downloaded the plugin for the UC100  from the above page . I tried both the auto install, and the manual install routes but Mach 4  is not seeing a plugin  for UC100 so I cannot select and configure it .
Can you guide me on how to achieve a working state with this combination.??

Alternatively  can you guide me to a reasonably priced motion controller which is known to work with Mach 4.

Thanks

John

29

General Mach Discussion / spindle pulleys in Mach 3 lathe .-- setting ratios

« on: January 15, 2021, 11:11:50 AM »

Background .
I converted a Boxford TCL lathe to Mach 3 but retained the DC Spindle motor, and Lenze controller with Iso Board.

Had a bit of trouble getting the spindle index function sorted but thanks to some help  I now have a very accurate "true spindle " readout which corresponds well with a mechanical tachometer .
And with spindle speed set to 2000 the analog signal generated by the pwm output is 9.6 v and reduces more or less in proportion to selected spindle speed so that looks fine .

Now I know that this is actually the motor speed , and the true spindle speed will vary according to the pulleys in use at any time , and that I need to select a number for the pulley setting along with the ratio of the selected pulley combination.
But if I change the ratio in spindle pulleys (and I have tried varying ratios from 1 to but this has no effect at all upon true spindle speed .
In addition whatever spindle pulley number I select the display continues to show S1

I have looked for other related settings but dont see any which are relevant. I have read the manual and although there is a section on pulleys and the need to specify the ratios I dont see any guidance on other settings
What might I be missing.
Suggestions anyone ?

30

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: April 03, 2020, 08:14:26 AM »

Hi Folks 
I am John  from Carlisle in the North of England  and am trying to build a CNC controlled  Mill table  (Not quite from scratch)
I have a Deckel FP1  toolroom milling machine  which is not easily suited to conversion.
My Idea therefore was to buy a cheap cross table  https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/351732158267?chn=ps    and plant it upon the Deckel table ,  adding x and y motions .

So far I have added the steppers and ball screws to it and it works  freely in both directions when driven by my cordless drill.
I have downloaded Mach 3 to a windows 8 PC and am using the UC100 controller to connect to my electronics .
I have searched for tutorials with a view to learning  in a progressive order  but youtube comes up a number on lots of channels by different  contributors and I cant seem to find the Artsoft set  which I am presuming will be in a logical order .

Can anyone point me to a link to those  which I can hopefully add to favourites .
If you could also point me to the best part of this (extensive) forum for a total newbie hobby guy like myself I would appreciate that.

Thanks        John