Messages

61

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 10:24:45 PM »

I put the borrowed computer and smooth stepper back in the milling machine and now that I have updated it to the latest version of Mach and the latest SS plugin it now loses communication with the ss about every 5 minutes just like the lathe. I have never had this problem with this machine which often stays plugged in and on for days at a time . Considering its doing the same thing now that the software has been updated as the lathe that the issue must be software related. I am pretty sure I have eliminated all the other variables by swapping SS, cables, mouse keyboards, machine, computers, full format and reload on two diff computers etc and now the problem exist on two diff machines.

62

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Installed SS today and having a few problems

« on: May 25, 2009, 10:18:28 PM »

not that I know of , I still cant get the SS to communicate with mach reliably , on two occasions I have been able to run the machine for 4 hours or so but most of the time Mach looses communicaation with the SS about every 5 minutes. I have changed out the smooth stepper, tried two different computers, both with full format, reload all software etc . Latest version of Mach, latest plugin and driver . Still no luck.

I have tried different USB cables, different keyboards , different mouse . Vfd on , Vfd powered down and just about every possible combination. Still loose comm every 5 minutes or so.   Now that I have loaded the latest driver and plugin both my mill and lathe loose contact with the ss around every 5 minutes so i am guessing its software related

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: First Post - Help with setup issue?

« on: May 25, 2009, 10:12:37 PM »

are you using ball screws? I didnt see them mentioned. You also need to make sure the thrust bearings are preloaded slightly to eliminate any play there.  I have done a number of x2 conversions and most of the factory screws when new run around .002 backlash

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: can mach be set to remember which tool is loaded on shut down?

« on: May 25, 2009, 06:24:58 PM »

Mine only sense which tool its at on the aproach and then drops the locking pin a few ms after getting the signal , at the point the turret is locked in position its not receiveing the signal to know which tool its on , only on aproach . I usualy start and end with tool 12 so when I start mach and launch a program it unlocks the turret , begins to rotate , aprox 3 degrees of rotation the plc sees tool 12 , drops the locking pin and binds the whole turret up . If Mach could simply write what tool was loaded to the xml file when the program was closed and the load that data when restarted it could save me lots of time spent banging my head against the desk .

If it always loads tool one when started , then I will just move tool 12 to position 1, although it would be nice if it would just remeber the last tool loaded.
I do notice when I launch Mach there is no number in the tool number window on screen. Is it tool 1 everytime and just not displayed?

65

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 06:14:45 PM »

back to the original screen set , VFD not even powered up and still losing SS after 5 minutes or so

Also notice a couple of tools in the library lose there z axis offset value every 3rd or 4th time I get a freeze 

66

General Mach Discussion / can mach be set to remember which tool is loaded on shut down?

« on: May 25, 2009, 05:49:52 PM »

can mach be set to remember which tool is loaded on shut down?

When I reboot I need mach to remember which tool is loaded. If i forget to manualy enter the tool number thats loaded when i start the machine and the program run calls out the tool already loaded it jams my tool changer which takes about 15 minutes to disassemble and resolve

67

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 05:31:22 PM »

tried a diff USB cable , no change

doesnt matter if vfd is on or not

will ground SS in just a minute

68

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 05:22:15 PM »

I installed a different computer , complete format , latest version of mach, latest plugin and SS driver and its losing contact with the smooth stepper within 3-4 minutes , same issue . Not much left to swap .
Vfd is no where near computer , bob or drives , everything is properly grounded .  I dont know if its an issue or not but the usb cable from the computer to the SS is about 10 feet long

 Any thoughts appreciated

69

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 04:15:57 PM »

had a pretty good run, got about 85 parts turned and threaded before it lost touch with the SS this time. Now its back to dropping the connection about every 5 minutes . Going to try the other computer

70

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: May 25, 2009, 12:25:09 PM »

may be speaking to soon but so far all looks well.

I was pulling the computer out of the cabinet at the front of the machine and noticed I had neglected to disconnect the two 12 foot long PP cables that run to the cabinet at the back of the machine. I detached them form the PC and have been running for a little over an hour with no problems yet , maybe they were acting as a big antenna. Will feel foolish (and happy) if it was something so simple

Will be running it for the next 8-10 hours threading hundreds of suppressor end caps