Messages

1311

Galil / Re: Mach3 with a DMC-2162 (Aero)

« on: February 15, 2011, 07:49:55 PM »

You need to have the stepper jumper removed from the E axis on the Galil and the E axis motor type set to "servo" in the plugin configuration.  Check that and then do this in the Galil terminal (do not enter the //<comments> I put in, just the commands):

MTE=1    // set axis E to servo motor
KPE=0    // set axis E PID to 0
KIE=0
KDE=0
OFE=9.998  // command 10v to axis E MOCMD

This should get you +10v between MOCMDX and GND.

OFE=5.0

Should get you +5v, etc...

The plugin is not programmed to do rigid tapping on anything but a servo style input.  The reason is that we use the Galil gearing to gear the spindle to the Z axis axis.  Meaning Mach has no control over the spindle while the rigid tapping operation is in progress.  When the Z axis reaches the bottom of it's movement and starts back up, the spindle needs to immediately change direction.  This requires a servo style +-10v on the spindle axis.

Steve


Steve

1312

Galil / Re: Mach3 with a DMC-2162 (Aero)

« on: February 15, 2011, 03:06:26 PM »

In that case, you can't use the encoder.  So uncheck that box in the plugin config.  The plugin will then use the OF (offset) command to drive the analog voltage from 0 to 10 volts on E axis.  You would then need to configure outputs to Start/Stop and Fwd/Rev the VFD.

To sync the analog out, apply 10v to the VFD and read the RPM of the spindle.  Then, load that RPM value into the Mach Spindle Pulley config.  Do this for each pulley set that you need.  (You may note have but 1)  Then, the plugin can calculate the correct voltage to output for any given speed.

Steve

1313

Galil / Re: Mach3 with a DMC-2162 (Aero)

« on: February 14, 2011, 10:51:11 PM »

If the PID is good, the encoder counts are correct and you have the accel value set, then all should work.  It's really as simple as doing:

ACE=<accel>
DCE=<accel>
JGE=<cps>
BGE

from the Galil terminal.  Which is exactly what the output is if you will take a look at your GalilDebug.txt file that you posted.  The only problem I saw was there was no accel value set.  So get it functioning from the Galil terminal and then plugi the numbers into the plugin. 

The accel/decel value is in rev/sec. which is encoder counts/sec.  AC and DC values are in cnts/sec^2.

Steve

1314

Galil / Re: Mach3 with a DMC-2162 (Aero)

« on: February 14, 2011, 04:59:24 PM »

You will want to set your spindle acceleration to something other than 0.  That may be why it gets faster as you leave it on.  It's simply taking forever to reach the target speed.

Steve

1315

Galil / Re: Mach3 with a DMC-2162 (Aero)

« on: February 14, 2011, 03:52:39 PM »

The spindle in the Galil plugin uses a +-10 signal (just like a servo drive) when an encoder on the spindle is specified.  If your spindle drive is 0 to 10v, then there will be issues reversing speed. 

If your spindle runs away, then swap the A & B encoder signals and try it again.  In the Galil, we use the JG command to control the spindle speed when there is an encoder on the spindle.  So it's operating like a servo, which requires that the encoder signal track the correct direction of the motor.  Otherwise, the following error increases and the PID loop ramps the voltage up to try and decrease the following error.  So if the encoder tracking is backwards, the following error always increases.

Steve

1316

Galil / Re: Fanuc 3 axis drive

« on: February 13, 2011, 03:07:16 PM »

Unfortunately, no one has done this to my knowledge.  So everything here is pure speculation.  And I have no idea what those motors require.  There are a couple of guys on the CNCZone that may be able to answer your questions about the drives and the motors.

Steve

1317

Galil / Re: Fanuc 3 axis drive

« on: February 13, 2011, 01:51:04 AM »

You were talking to the manual source (Fanuc). 

There may be more to it than a converter board.  Those drives are digital and may use a very proprietary means of communication.  The manual is key to finding out if it can be done at all.  If it can work, then you can search for analog to PWM converters that may work based on the information in the manual.

Steve

1318

Galil / Re: Fanuc 3 axis drive

« on: February 12, 2011, 09:27:36 PM »

You could probably do an analog to PWM converter circuit.  But you would need to know the PWM range that the drive uses.  Hence the need for a manual.

Steve

1319

Galil / Re: Fanuc 3 axis drive

« on: February 12, 2011, 02:01:00 PM »

I could not find the manual on that drive, but I think it uses PWM as input.  So direct connection to a Galil would not be possible if the drive is indeed PWM based.  Do you have the manual for it?

Steve

1320

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Will MACH3 ever support 64-bit systems? Officially? FYI, it's 2010

« on: February 12, 2011, 01:43:36 PM »

What are the benefits of a 64bit OS?  Really?  Why do you need to address more than 4 gig of memory on a computer that runs a CNC controller?  Sure, the hardware is 64bit, but just because it's 64bit doesn't mean you have/need to use it.

Here is an analogy:  I have a 800 HP engine in a 67 Camaro.  But do I use that 800 HP to go to the grocery store?  No.  I use my 185 HP grocery getter. 

If you want to use the PP, do option #1.  You have your Mac to play on.

But I would do option #2.  Just add $159 to your $400 PC and you will be very happy.  Make that leap and I promise you that you will never want a PP again.

Option #3 (the VM stuff) is not going to work.  I run VMs for a lot of things in my day job.  And I can promise you that this option is heading down the wrong road.  The host OS has dominion over the guest OSes.  So even if the PP driver did work, it would not work correctly as it would not be the hos OS that it is running on!  Expect really crappy timings if it even works.

I would be doing Option #4 along with Option #2.  Just for the fun of it!  (Been thinking of getting one of those Arduinos for myself)

Seriously guys, 64bit Windows PCs are really only needed for insane things. 

If you run multiple VMs for development purposes, you might need a 64bit OS.
If you calculate PI to the x trillionth precision, you might need a 64bit OS.
If you run a 3D modeler with thousands of parts on an assembly, you might need a 64bit OS.
If you have a word document that is larger than 4 Gig, you might need a 64bit OS.  (only possible with Office 2010 as that is the first version of Office that is native 64bit!!!!)

My question to all is this:  Did you find yourself needing a 64bit OS last year?  Or the year before that?  Or the day before you 32bit PC died?  Where you said to yourself "Damn, if only I had a 64bit OS I could conquer the world!"

Steve