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1

Mach4 General Discussion / G code stops after M03 command

« on: August 25, 2023, 06:29:10 AM »

I have been updating a Boxford vmc260 which has been running mach3 with USS and PMDX125 in windows 7 for 12 years.
The machine is now configured keeping the PMDX125 but changing to ESS and Mach4 in windows11. Having worked through getting tool change and probing working it was time to try running a simple program to drill a couple of holes centre drilling first to test the tool change.
After setting work coordinates and running the Gcode the machine carried out the tool change, started spindle (which is an ac servo set up as motor 5 step and direction) and immediately froze.
If you turn spindle off from the screen and back on again until the gcode reaches M05 and it pauses again.

I have stripped the gcode back to 2 lines:
S2000 m03
G90 G00 x25 y25
Run from MDI spindle starts but moves are not executed.
If I remove the S2000 m03 the move does work so it has to be due to the spindle command.
I have disabled ‘wait on spindle to stabilise in Control Spindle tab.
Mach4 V4.2.0.4809 licensed

Has anyone come across this or have any idea where I am going wrong?

Regards

Art

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Machipc could not be found

« on: August 19, 2023, 09:16:48 AM »

I have just replaced the pc on my mill (previously running mach3 for many years on windows 7 without problem until pc failed) with a new windows 11 computer with  a fresh installation of mach 4 v4.20 4809 using ESS.

The mill is all working but when
I try to edit the m6macro I get the error loading machipc  from file mach4hobby\modules/machipc.dll.  (the file is there)

I also tried V4.20 5036 but it gives the same error.

I then  installed the same versions on a windows 10 machine and the editor works fine which makes me think windows 11 is the problem but others are using it.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be the problem?

Art

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Tool change Problem.

« on: May 11, 2020, 11:27:10 AM »

I am having trouble with tool changes and offsets.
After finally making progress yesterday and being able to run a simple job on my new router I thought I had cracked it.

This morning I tried to run the same job and the dreaded tool problem started again.

The program calls the first tool m6 T10 followed by G43 H10, the spindle moves to tool change position and tool is measured and job starts. The measured offset is loaded into tool 15 of the tool table and the on screen the tool information shows T10 but offset 15. (the tool was cutting fresh air as T15 is longer than T10)
Tool 15 is the second tool to be used and it was the last tool change yesterday.
I decided to clear the tool table and start again.
This time the tool information showed T10 offset. although the table was cleared it had used the old T15 offset so it was cutting fresh air again.
I let it run until the next tool change m6 T15 again followed by G43 H15. The spindle moved to the tool change position but it did not stop to measure the tool but headed start back to start cutting. This time the tool info showed T10 offset 15.

I am using Mach4 Hobby  V4.2.0 4430.  should I update to a later version?
The M6 Macro is attached but it is the one from the NFS video altered to suit my machine.
The confusing thing is it worked yesterday.

Thanks in advance

Art

4

Mach4 General Discussion / M6 Macro is being ignored

« on: May 06, 2020, 02:30:52 AM »

Hi everyone,

I have now completed my router and now about to start using it but  have discovered that it is ignoring the M6 macro  and the tool change is missed.
I have followed Daz's and artsoft videos on youtube etc but can not find the answer.  I have re-installed mach4 and tried everything I have found in the forum but no joy.
When I debug in zero brane the variables all show nill. It is not picking up the current or selected tool numbers.
Working with macros is new to me and I am more than likely doing something wrong.
Anyone have any idea what I am missing?

Art

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Slow stepper speeds

« on: March 13, 2020, 06:39:51 PM »

I have just finished a router with Nema 23 motors driven by Gecko 251 drivers controlled by an ESS with MB3 breakout board with Mach4  running on 24v.

In motor settings I have steps set to 250/ unit ,  acceleration 60 and velocity various settings right up to 3000mm/min.
Dimensions are accurate  for the 8mm leadscrew

The highest speed I can achieve  on all axis is about 500mm/ min.
Should I be able to get any higher speed with this setup?

Maybe it has been a poor choice of steppers and drivers.

Art

6

General Mach Discussion / Spindle RPM

« on: February 01, 2008, 08:05:57 PM »

I have set up my spindle on my mill to run from 300rpm to 3500rpm with ratio set to 1 as my rpm sensor is reading from the spindle. I have set the Campbell board to give 0.to 5v (as required by my spindle control board) over this range and it seems quite linear as 1750 rpm gives a reading of 2.5 volts. the RPM as read by the index pulse is exactly the same  as shown my tacho. I am using Mach 3 v2.64
The problem is that I can not get the measured speed to match the requested speed. I have use spindle feedback in sync mode checked in spindle setup. I have also tried spindle calibration.
Can anyone advise where I may have gone wrong.

regards
Arthur

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach Turn Problem

« on: January 23, 2008, 06:17:09 AM »

I know that it is more likely to be operator probems as I am new to this. I have just finished converting my Boxford TLC250. It works very well with manual entries and I have also tried some turning wizards with success.
However when I try a simple end facing toolpath generated by mastercam X2 the tool starts at the correct piont but it faces the whole diameter of the stock. I set Z by taking a light cut and zeroing the z axis. I then take a light cut over the diameter, measure the diameter and enter that in thex axis. A printout of the toolpath is below.  Post proc is Fanuc 2 axis slant bed.

(PROGRAM NAME - Test)
(DATE=DD-MM-YY - 22-01-08 TIME=HH:MM - 19:15)
(MCX FILE - Test)
(NC FILE - C:\MCAMX\LATHE\NC\T.NC)
(MATERIAL - ALUMINUM MM - 2024)
G21
(TOOL - 1 OFFSET - 1)
(OD ROUGH RIGHT - 80 DEG.  INSERT - CNMG 12 04 08)
G0 T0101
G97 S500 M03
G0 G54 X37.95 Z0.
Z.52
G98 G1 X-1.6 F30.
G0 Z2.52
X37.95
Z.26
G1 X-1.6
G0 Z2.26
X37.95
Z0.
G1 X-1.6
G0 Z2.
G28 U0. W0. M05
T0100
M30

I also noticed tha the Mach 3 toolpath representation shows a front toolpost while Master cam shows rear toolpost, the lathe has a rear toolpost.
I would be gratefull if anyone can point me in the correct direction to rectify the above.

Regards

Arthur