Messages

191

Works in progress / Re: Idea for Mach3/4 Jog screen

« on: July 09, 2006, 11:36:44 AM »

HI, Thanks for trying, I think this ones down to the main software guy's.

If anyone else thinks it would be a good addition to future updates of Mach3/4 then keep this post going with your comments.



Thanks.

192

Works in progress / Idea for Mach3/4 Jog screen

« on: July 08, 2006, 04:22:48 PM »

Hi, I've had an idea for the guys who create Mach software, I don't know if this is the right place for this topic but here goes.

Ive noticed that the jog screen can only be accessed by pressing the tab button on the keyboard.
When working on my lathe I find it a bit of a problem and it would be much easier if by using the mouse I could move the cursor to the right side of the screen and the jog panel would move in from the right or pop up.

For all those who use the mouse/trackball more than the keyboard this would be ideal.


Kind Regards 
CJ

193

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Position

« on: June 04, 2006, 12:51:26 PM »

Hi, How about stepper resonance problems at certain feedrates?

Kind Regards
CJ

194

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford ORAC.

« on: May 10, 2006, 02:57:22 PM »

Hi to all using an Orac. This may be of help to those who want to get up and running fast.

I'm still fine tuning the macro but this works as is.

The hardware is as follows:

The 3 sensor wires are opto isolated and sent to the computer port
The motor is driven by an ouput line from computer to an L298 driver ( High for fowards and low for reverse) and an 555 timer to cut the reverse after 3 seconds. A line from the timer is sent to the port to notify job done.


I hope this is helpful and a thanks to Dave Murray for help with some obvious errors in coding.


MACRO:
'Unit toolpost;

'{toolpost unit for Mach3
'{Provides drivers to control the tool post on the Denford ORAC Lathe}
'{Attached to $278, pin 14 low starts toolpost to revolve, pin 15 }
'{ is a 'busy' bit, pins 11, 12, & 13 are data bits indicating which}
'{ tool is presented pin 11 being inverted}

'{Pin 14 going low starts the cycle, the program checks pins 11,12,&13}
'{until the correct tool is presented, then raises pin 14. This makes }
'{the toolpost reverse onto its location rachet. Program waits until
'{busy bit clears}

'{start toolpost  forcing pin 14 low}
'{stop toolpost   forcing pin 14 high}
'------------------------------------------------------------------

'OEM Trigger #1 = pin 11
'OEM Trigger #2 = pin 12
'OEM Trigger #3 = pin 13
'OEM Trigger #4 = pin 15
'OEM Output  #1 = pin 14
Option Explicit


Dim TOOL,OldTool,SelectedTool,MaxToolNum,T,TSET,C
Dim PIN_A,PIN_B,PIN_C,PINVALUE,XPOS

'Tool Changer Macro

SYSTEMWAITFOR (32)

Oldtool = GetDro (5) 'C Axis DRO used as a memory for last tool, I know this is a bodge but it works for me.

Tool = GetSelectedTool()

SelectedTool =0
MaxToolNum = 8      'Max number off tools for the changer

' do not allow tool number greater than number of turret positions
While tool > MaxToolNum Or tool < 1
Tool = Question ("Invalid Tool Requested, New Tool Number?")
Wend

If Tool = OldTool Then
Message ("Tool already selected")
Exit Sub
End If

ActivateSignal(Output1)

T = Second(Now)
TSET = T + 1.5      ' ADD A 0.5 SEC WAIT
Do
T = Second(Now)
Loop Until T > TSET

Do
'OEM Trigger #1
Pin_A = IsActive (29)'INNER
'OEM Trigger #2
Pin_B = IsActive (30)'MIDDLE   TOOL CODE WHEEL TRACKS
'OEM Trigger #3
Pin_C = IsActive (31)'OUTER

PinValue = 0

If Pin_A Then PinValue = PinValue + 1
If Pin_B Then PinValue = PinValue + 2
If Pin_C Then PinValue = PinValue + 4

Select Case PinValue
Case = 7
SelectedTool = 6
Case = 6
SelectedTool = 7
Case = 5
SelectedTool = 3
Case = 4
SelectedTool = 2
Case = 3
SelectedTool = 5
Case = 2
SelectedTool = 8
Case = 1
SelectedTool = 4
Case = 0
SelectedTool = 1
End Select

For c = 1 To 2000  '2000
Next

Loop Until SelectedTool = Tool

deActivateSignal(Output1)

Tool = SelectedTool

'Check Busy Flag
Do While IsActive(32) = false
Loop

'Send current tool to memory (C dro)
SetDro (5,tool)

Message ("Selected Tool" & tool)
SetCurrentTool(Tool)

End