Messages

1341

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: PLUG IN WRITERS

« on: January 13, 2011, 12:44:17 PM »

Uh guys...  If you don't PM me with an email address, I can't send you a plugin. 

Steve

1342

Galil / Re: unexplained stop during program

« on: January 13, 2011, 12:39:01 PM »

Steve,

What kind of machine are you running?  (Processor size, memory, operating system, etc...)  I don't believe this is a Galil issue.  The movement queue is drained meaning no more movement information from Mach.  So it looks like something is interfering with Mach at this point.  I'm not ruling the plugin out, but if you could give me the lay of your machine, I'll dig some more.

Steve

1343

Galil / Re: Bug in Galil Found While Jogging with Keyboard Arrow Keys

« on: January 11, 2011, 10:52:10 PM »

You have your axis mapping messed up.

This is from your GalilDebug.txt file:
ST ABCA
MO ABCA

Notice and there are two A axes in the command.  This means that you have the Mach A axis mapped to the Galil A(X) axis when it need to be mapped to you Galil D axis.  That will fix you up.

Steve

1344

Galil / Re: unexplained stop during program

« on: January 11, 2011, 10:45:37 PM »

Steve,

Enable debug output in the plugin configuration and restart Mach.  Then try running your program.  If it fails, exit Mach and send me the GalilDebug.txt file in your plugins directory.  You can attach it to a message in this forum as well.

We will then be able to see what is happening on the Galil (communications, etc...)

Steve

1345

Galil / Re: Spindle Basic Setup

« on: January 11, 2011, 10:35:24 PM »

Shivu,

I hope you understand our situation.  We develop the Galil plugin and GIVE it away.  Kenny and I make no money what so ever with the Galil plugin.  It's is not part of Mach.  It is separate development effort that we did to use our Galil controllers with Mach.  And we decided to offer it freely to others that may benefit from it.

Kenny and I want to implement threading.  But it is not done nor will it be done anytime soon.  We both have day jobs that take priority.

If you cannot wait for us to implement threading into the plugin, then I would suggest going with a dspMC (Vital Systems) to run your servos.  His manual states that that threading is supported.  But I can't speak to it's ability as I have never run with the dspMC unit.  I would suggest contacting Vital systems to see if it will do what you need.

Otherwise, your threading options are limited to running stepper motors from the parallel port.

Steve

1346

Galil / Re: Use knee & quill as coarse & fine Z axis position on CNC mill?

« on: January 08, 2011, 02:23:10 PM »

The special command files were put in version 4.3 before the release of v4.4 in an attempt to control a CNC sewing machine from Mach.  In fact, the Notify commands were put in at the same time and there is a reference to a Galil variable called SPI in the plugin documentation.  SPI stands for "stitches per inch".    The Notify commands were fully tested, so that was added to the documentation.  But at the time of v4.4, the special command files were not tested and thus were not put in the documentation.  Since then, they have proved out very well though and I'll mention them if I think it will help someone.

I'm working on the 4.5 release right now.  It includes:

1. The plugin will work with either Smart Term or Galil Tools.  This should allow full Win 7 support with Galil Tools since the Smart Term PCI drivers won't work with Win 7.
2. Improved MPG functions.
3. Improved gantry slaving.
4. Improved support for the Accelera controllers making use of their performance features when possible.

Steve

1347

Galil / Re: Which Galil motion controller?

« on: January 08, 2011, 01:42:24 PM »

That is indeed a feature of the Galil.  It's called Dual Loop and uses both encoder inputs to eliminate backlash.  However, it is not supported directly by the Galil plugin for Mach, meaning that there is no special configuration for it in the plugin config.

The Galil commands to implement it are CE and DV.  They are described on page 115 of the 40x0 user's manual.  Also, there is a tutorial video on Galil's website that explains Dual Loop and it's tuning.  It requires different KP, KI, and KD parameters than just an axis with one encoder.

The plugin does not change the values of KP, KI, KD, CE, or DV.  It assumes that these values are set and "burned" to the controller's NVRAM.  So you can configure dual loop with KP, KI, KD, CE, and DV and burn the values into NVRAM using the BN command.

Steve

1348

Galil / Re: Use knee & quill as coarse & fine Z axis position on CNC mill?

« on: January 08, 2011, 03:29:19 AM »

Uh...  no, there is nothing in the GalilPluginIn.pdf file about GalilInit.txt.  It's a super secret file.   

There are quite a few files that will do special things that are undocumented.  They will be documented on the next plugin release.

Steve

1349

Galil / Re: Which Galil motion controller?

« on: January 07, 2011, 04:09:24 PM »

You don't necessarily need to control the spindle from the Galil.  It's just easiest to do so.  But what is required is an analog output to control the VFD.  So any device that has connectivity to Mach with an analog output can be used.  This could include any number of devices that have plugins or a ModBus capable device.  But then you will need to write brains to do some of the work amongst other configuration that make it a little bit complicated. 

So at ~$100.00 an axis on the Galil, it's actually pretty cheap.  An analog ModBus device would probably cost more.

One thing that can't be done (with any external motion plugin) is use the printer port.  So any printer port breakout boards that may have some spindle functionality just can't be used at all.

Steve

1350

Galil / Re: Which Galil motion controller?

« on: January 07, 2011, 12:07:41 PM »

For the axes, you will want:
X, Y, Z, and a spindle.  That would be a 4 axis Galil controller.  Then, if you want an A rotary axis, add one for a total of 5.  And I would add another for your tool changer if you think that a servo will replace the existing tool changer motor for a total of 6 Galil axes.

It's important to remember that to control a spindle motor, not matter if it's a servo drive or a VFD drive, you will need a Galil axis for it.

Steve