Messages

881

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Screw Error Mapping

« on: May 26, 2016, 10:20:25 PM »

Unfortunately, it is difficult, not tested, and not documented.    So it is not ready.  And I don't know when we will get to it.  We have to prioritize. 

882

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: M6 is skipped when the toolpath display is hidden

« on: April 24, 2016, 10:44:10 PM »

Allan,
If there is no tool path, the regen never completes and leaves the core in a mode where M codes are not processed.  The reason for this is we obviously don't want to run M codes while generating the tool path.  We are expecting a tool path to be there.  After the initial run of the loaded G code, the initial tool path update is what clears this state.  A workaround for this would be to simply drop a tool path on the screen somewhere and set its properties to hide it. 

Pedio,
Regen on a tool path is not the same thing as resetting the control.  Reset will put the control in the default state.  As Allen stated, regen is only used after an origin change.  It does nothing else and it is up to the user to do this.  It will not reset the rapid speed.  If you are using a rapid override, then you are also the one that needs to reset it.  Now, this can be done in a script on the regen button (or the reset button for that matte) if that is how you want your machine to operate. 

If the M6 is locking up, then there is a problem in the M6 macro or the motion controller plugin getting stuck in a bad state. 

Steve

883

Galil / Re: "galil card not connected"

« on: April 07, 2016, 11:03:20 PM »

That is explained on the plugin download page.  ST is short for Smart Term.  The old driver suite from Galil. 

884

Galil / Re: Upgraded to win7 on PCI system - now weird VFD behavior

« on: April 07, 2016, 10:35:42 PM »

Basically, that error suggests that the controller is not being fed information fast enough.  If your computer is running very slow, then that is going to be the cause.  So...  why is the computer running slow?  It may be that you installed the parallel port driver?  Maybe Mach 3 is trying to communicate with it?  I simply do not know what that might be.

Steve

885

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Upgrading from MACH3 to MACH4 with a DSPMC/ip V2

« on: April 07, 2016, 03:47:45 AM »

Sounds like it is coming along!!  Anymore progress Mike? 

886

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Adding external push buttons

« on: April 06, 2016, 11:30:42 PM »

A pot would most likely have to be hooked to an analog input on some hardware.  Not sure if pokeys does this or not.  Most devices will export the analog input as a register.  Depending on the analog input's resolution.  One might expect a 0 to 1023 value in the register from a 10 bit analog input.  You would then need to apply a ratio to that to make the values fall within the range of say the feed rate override settings.  So the task then becomes:

1. read the analog register.
2. convert to a proper value.
3. call the API function to set the value.

This is done in the screen's PLC script with the Mach API and LUA scripting.

Steve

887

Galil / Re: Upgraded to win7 on PCI system - now weird VFD behavior

« on: April 06, 2016, 07:28:21 PM »

Wow...  That is a weird one!

All the check box does is control whether or not to use a JG command or an OF to run the spindle.  It does no other magic. 

I assume that your spindle does not use an encoder.  If that is the case, then the KP, KI, and KD parameters for the axis driving the spindle all need to be set to 0 and burned with the BN command.  Otherwise, you need to have proper PID values to use an encoder.

Maybe your previous card had the PID set to zero and you new one doesn't.  That is the only thing I can come up with. 

Steve

Hello Steve, just a quick question, I have a Hardinge HNC lathe with a Galil 2130 running a VFD and have it working without the encoder, but how do I tune the (and get the P.I.D Values) so that I can use the encoder that I have on the spindle...it's a 2500 PPR quad encoder 1-1 on the spindle? The encoder is properly wired to the Y(B) axis that sends the 0-10v to the VFD also this encoder has index..does that help anything? hoping I can try threading!

-Roo Trimble...BTW: to see a lot of fun Mach-created widgits take a look at the little car that I bulit...www.roopod.com   Thanks in advance!

First, the VFD must be able to run like a servo drive.  In most cases, this means that it can accept a +-10v command signal AND allow disabling on its internal PID control loop.  This allows the Galil to run the control loop.  Then you set up the PID values in the Galil.  You cannot have two control loops running!  That is a PID fight.  Much worse than a cat fight.    As to what values to use for PID in the Galil, that is very VFD/motor dependent.  And it is NOTHING like tuning a table load for a servo.  Galil has an application note that explains some of the peculiarities. 

If the VFD has a setup that shows the internal PID values, you can then use those to figure the ratios between P, I, and D, but the actual numbers will be different on the Galil.  If the VFD can't disable its own PID loop (very common, unfortunately), you are then stuck with the unenviable task of trying to match the PID loop on the VFD to the one on the Galil EXACTLY to avoid a PID fight.  Not easy to do.  But people get lucky sometimes...

Second, only Kenny has threading working on his lathe.  And it was a HUGE task.  Not for the feint of heart.  It evolves writing a Galil language routine that runs on the Galil, a modified 1076 macro, and Notifies setup to poke values down to the Galil.  The index pulse can be used to sync the thread.  However, it is just a blip on the radar and Kenny had to run that index pulse into a one shot timer to extend the signal beyond 4ms.  The output of the one shot timer is then wired to two GP inputs (the position latch inputs 1 and 3) to "start" the threading routine that is running on the Galil.  The Galil routine should be modified to reflect the counts per unit of the machine. 

The details and files required for this are here: http://www.smcomp.com/~smurph/exes/MachGalilThreading.zip.  However, you are on your own to get this working.  Kenny and I are too busy to provide any kind of support in this realm. 

Steve

888

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 build 4.2.0.2914 released, release notes file updated

« on: March 23, 2016, 11:29:24 PM »

Those properties are available with an Industrial or Expert license.  If in demo mode or Hobby license, they are not available.  If you have an industrial or Expert license, there is a checkbox in the General tab of the Mach config labeled "Use Advanced GUI Controls?" that enables or disables these properties as well.  

Steve

889

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to programing C# with Mach4

« on: March 02, 2016, 03:57:59 PM »

I would ask here:  http://www.machsupport.com/contact-us/

890

General Mach Discussion / Re: How many people here are running mach3 on industrial machines?

« on: March 02, 2016, 02:48:36 PM »

On the Matsuura, it is an air cylinder that engages a roller bearing into a V slot on the spindle.  The air cylinder is pressurized and the spindle is run at slow speed/low torque causing the roller bearing on the air cylinder shaft to roll on a collar.  When the V slot comes around, the roller drops into the V slot.  A limit switch detects this and shuts the spindle off.  The air cylinder is now holding the spindle in the correct orientation.  So all I did was use what the machine already had.  Another plus to converting a machine like a Matsuura, Hurco, or the like is all of this stuff is there!  Full coolant system too!  No fabrication required.  And you don't spend a year on the conversion project.  Meaning chips start flying quicker.  

I used the Galil to run the tool changer.  But Mach could have been used.  In fact, I had Mach controlling it all at one point.  But I moved it to the Galil to reduce the tool change time a bit.  The Galil can have programs running on it at the same time it controls the axes.  But any PLC could be used to work the ATC as well.  All my M6 script does is tell the Galil what tool is desired and waits for the Galil to signal when it is done.

But the BEST part about using an industrial machine is the rigidity.  You can use a 1" hog mill and remove some serious material.

The cons are it has a 10HP spindle that requires a rather large rotary phase converter if three phase is not available.  However, only the motors are 3 phase.  The drives and servos are powered from single phase.  One could replace the spindle VFD and use VFDs to run the TC, oil lube, and coolant motors and run it all on single phase.  But I had a 15HP rotary converter already.

Steve