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Messages - beezerlm

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11
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Problems - Win10 update + PMDX_424 + LUA
« on: February 08, 2020, 08:05:45 PM »
It's a screenset I made in 2016/2017.  Is that considered old?

12
Mach4 General Discussion / Problems - Win10 update + PMDX_424 + LUA
« on: February 07, 2020, 09:55:08 AM »
Over Xmas break I decided to update windows on all my computers.  After updating windows, I got a new error when trying to home my machine:

Code: [Select]
PMDX-SmartBOB-USB X-axis homing error, missing or invalid home switch configuration PMDX-SmartBOB-USB Y-axis homing error, missing or invalid home switch configuration
I contacted Steve at PMDX and was advised to update PMDX plugin/firmware along with Mach4.  Now I get this message when starting Mach4:

Null_Value_Error.jpg


This appears to be in regards to my PLC script used to display a DRO from PMDX424 Encoder input:

Code: [Select]
local inst = mc.mcGetInstance()
local hreg = mc.mcRegGetHandle(inst, "SmartBOBUSB/EncoderDRO")
local zEncoderVal = mc.mcRegGetValueString(hreg)
local zEncoderVal = tonumber(zEncoderVal)
local zEncoderValInches = (zEncoderVal * 0.0004)
WriteRegister("Z_DRO_INCH", tostring(zEncoderValInches))

The SmartBOBUSB/EncoderDRO register value is now null.  If I look at the real time diagnostics for the PMDX424, it shows the encoder input as "Disabled":

RT.jpg



If I look at the Register diagnostics, the value for SmartBOBUSB/EncoderDRO is blank and it will not accept a manually entered value:

Register_Diagnostics.jpg


I can tell it's reading the encoder because the log shows signal 11 and 12 alternating to Hi/Low as it should for channel A/B of the encoder.

I have made no changes to configurations, profile or scripts for 3 years.  All I wanted to do was update windows and now I have had a machine down for over a month  :-\  Any ideas what changed to cause these issues?

Mach4 Build#: 4300
PMDX Plugin Version: 0.53.263
PMDX Bootloader Version: 1.9.66
PMDX Firmware Version: 0.60.208
Windows 10 Pro Version: 1909, OS build 18363.535

13
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: November 21, 2016, 08:59:46 AM »
Well I'll be damned it worked!  :D

Thanks Steve.

14
I just did the same (added mc.mcSignalSetState without handle in screen load script) but adding /e is not working.  I also tried /p MyProfile /e and it still crashes on load.  I also tried loading a profile backup from earlier this morning but it still crashes.  

Any ideas how to fix? ???


-EDIT:  I remembered that I had used "Package Current Profile" this morning as an extra precaution.  I was able to import that package and it worked.  I lost a few hours of work but It's better than starting from scratch!

I wonder why the /e option didn't work for me though?


15
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Migrate from Mach3 - 4 (XYYZ) CNC
« on: October 02, 2016, 08:44:00 AM »
I am currently upgrading a Mach 3 machine to Mach 4 and all is going well.  I built a new PC and I am using a PMDX-424 motion controller to replace the old breakout board/ parallel port setup.  I just took screenshots of the mach 3 pin and motor settings and entered those into Mach 4. 

16
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: October 01, 2016, 10:42:21 PM »
I was never really sure if any standard were published on this, so I googled it and found an Iso publication. ISO 841 - "Industrial automation systems and integration — Numerical control of machines — Coordinate system and motion nomenclature"

Here is some of what it says:

"
Linear motion:
When, in addition to the primary linear motions X, Y and Z, there exists secondary linear motions parallel to the
primary motions, these shall be designated U, V and W respectively. Similarly, for tertiary motions, they shall be
designated P, Q and R respectively. When linear motions exist which are not (or may not be) parallel to X, Y and Z,
they may be designated U, V, W, P, Q, or R as is most convenient.
The primary linear motions should be those nearest the principal spindle, the secondary the next nearest, and the
tertiary are the farthest.
For milling machines, the cutting-bit with respect to a facing slide should be designated U or P if these letters are
available.
For machines with multiple units or many parallel movements, the designation of these motions may be indexed by
using a letter and a number (e.g. X1, X2, ...). The index shall be a positive integer greater than zero. The primary
motion(s) may or may not have an index. Thus it is possible on one machine to have motions with and without
indices.


Rotary motions:
When, in addition to the primary rotary motions, there exists secondary rotary motions, either parallel to A, B, or C
or compounded or gimballed to A, B, or C, they shall be designated D or E (if these letters are available). As with
linear motions, rotary motions may be indexed

"

I have seen screw machines that use X1,X2,X3 etc.... But I can't say I have ever seen a P,Q or R axis.....yet  :)

I can handle programming my "U" as "A",  I just wanted to keep things the same as all the other machine tools I have operated for the sake of simplicity.  I have a hard time remembering which way is up nowadays  ;)



17
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: October 01, 2016, 05:11:21 PM »
Rich - Actually I agree with what you said, though it would be nice if ABC could be optionally UVW.  It would allow for greater flexibility in machine building within the 6 available axes, because the axes can currently be used for rotary or linear applications.

18
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: October 01, 2016, 04:45:37 PM »
Rich,  I would have to respectfully disagree unless ABC are forced to rotary axis. UVW are linear.

Examples:

1.  A typical CNC horizontal boring mill table rotation is designated the "B" axis because it's rotational axis is parallel the "Y" axis.  The "W" axis is the linear movement of the actual protruding spindle parallel to the "Z" axis.  The "C" axis is rotational about the "W" axis





2.  A 4axis wire edm machine that can cut tapers has a UV that are linear and run parallel to XY





3.  In a VMC, when mounting a rotary that's rotational axis runs parallel to the "X",  It is designated the "A" axis.
     If the rotational axis is parallel to the "Y" axis,  it is designated the "B" axis.







19
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: October 01, 2016, 04:18:09 PM »
A typical application of a UV running parallel to XY would be for taper cutting on a wire EDM machine.  My machine is a grinding machine and "U" controls the wheel head outfeed.


20
Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Rename A axis to U axis?
« on: October 01, 2016, 03:51:57 PM »
I can do that, but I just wanted to follow what seems to be the machine tool industry standards for axis designation.  I have used a lot of different machine tools and every single one has followed this. 

Attached is a screenshot from http://www.globalspec.com/reference/76593/203279/multiaxis-machine-configurations

The main spindle axis is typically the "Z" axis.  "X" is perpendicular to the "Z" and is usually (not always) the longer of the two between "X/Y" if they have different travels. 

By knowing the cartesian "XYZ" of a machine tool you should be able to point out "ABC" and "UVW" without guessing.  If you run a lot of different machines on a regular basis, it's nice to have them follow a standard axis designation to avoid mistakes made due to sloppy/random axis assignments.

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