Messages

31

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: June 09, 2017, 01:15:59 AM »

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the details and sharing the program. So you have two coils connected each to one phase of the driver, and one coil pulls while the other pushes the plunger. So in this connection each pulse signal into the driver corresponds to one stroke of the plunger? First pulse - pull, second pulse - push, third pulse - pull, right?

But if you stop the pulses you don't know which state did it end in?

Also I tried your program, but didn't understand the Gcode it outputs. Only has "S0" at the beginning and "S0" at the end. In between only XY moves. So what driver the coils?

Thanks,
Dan

32

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Screw Error Mapping

« on: June 07, 2017, 10:03:39 AM »

Never eventually did it. Was just a thought. I think it would depend on what you've got for a controller (defines the signal width) and what is the max step pulse frequency. Modern PLCs can have scan times in the range of 0.1mS. My feeling is it could be not enough if you have high frequency step signal. But you could do simple math calculation to determine.

Another option could be an Arduino type microcontroller, which has much faster processors. The fastest I have seen from Arduino is 84Mhz. I think it should easily accomplish the task if you program it correctly.

Dan

33

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: May 18, 2017, 08:23:21 AM »

Replaced the simple transistor-based circuit with a stepper driver to drive the solenoid, and now I can get much higher frequencies. Now 50Hz is not a problem and even can be pushed up to 80Hz.

Facing 2 problems:
1. The solenoid is connected to only one phase of the driver, so I am getting only HALF the frequency (the driver is set to FULL step). If 200 pulses are sent, the solenoid only does 100 strokes.
2. The plunger idle state position is random. After a pulse train the plunger sometimes stops inside the coil, while sometimes outside. This is a big problem, since it ruins the work when the plunger sticks outside while idle and being dragged on the work.

I think the 2 problem are related.

How did you overcome these issues? Did you have them at all?

Thanks,
Dan

34

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 17, 2017, 01:22:33 PM »

Did you try to download and install it? I think it will allow you to play with it without a licence, but will put watermarks on your image.

Dan

35

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 17, 2017, 06:39:45 AM »

OK, thanks Tweakie. Would be interesting to see if you find it.

Dan

36

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 17, 2017, 05:49:08 AM »

Hi Tweakie,

From the link you referred to above:
http://hobbycncart.com/forum/63-151-1

Your post #2 you mention a video with a constant 50Hz engraver. What video are you talking about? Do you have a link? Is it a CNC with constant frequency engraver? What would the Gcode look like?

Dan

37

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 13, 2017, 05:10:14 AM »

Hi Nikolaj,

Did you check PicEngrave at www.picengrave.com ?
It may do what you want. It does have the option of variable feedrate, but not sure about the M10/M11. Haven't used it for a long time, but I am sure Tweakie will soon chime in and give you a better reply.

Dan

38

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 12, 2017, 05:34:44 AM »

Thanks Tweakie!

Dan

39

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 12, 2017, 03:45:47 AM »

Thanks Tweakie!

Got a link to his work with the encoder?

Dan

40

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 12, 2017, 02:34:05 AM »

Hi Tweakie,
I think it was here that I saw someone who used the Z motor coupled to an encoder to do analogue control of a laser power. Wanted to review his work and try to implement this idea for impact engraving. Do you remember who it was and do you have some reference?

Dan