Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: using brains to turn a switch on

« on: December 10, 2011, 08:44:38 PM »

What I want to do is use the m7 command to turn a switch on for the first second or so of a motor command that lasts for about 20-30 seconds. I do not want the motor to stop or pause when the M9 command is given.
-jim

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: using brains to turn a switch on

« on: December 10, 2011, 07:54:47 PM »

The problem is, to operate the mist control, you must stop the axis, which i do not want to do. This is why i must use brain, so that the command can happen without stopping the motors. If I want to control the output with the mist LED, what do I use: "no operation" or "compare immediately"  with what value?
-jim

43

General Mach Discussion / Re: using brains to turn a switch on

« on: December 10, 2011, 07:10:03 PM »

OK Hood, Let me rephrase this.

I am going to use the mist command (m7) to control a switch. I need to have this happen while the motors are turning so it was recommended to use a brain. So I would like the mist command to activate an output (4) to control my switch. The question is do I check compare immediately, or no action to get output 4 to trigger from the mist command using a brain? How exactly should I use a brain to achieve this?

Thanks,
-jim

44

General Mach Discussion / using brains to turn a switch on

« on: December 10, 2011, 06:01:51 PM »

I am going to use a brain to activate a switch. How do I specify an output switch call in the program? Please show me a sample of code that calls for an output switch that I will then link to a brain?

Thanks,
-jim

45

General Mach Discussion / Getting motors to reverse rotation

« on: December 03, 2011, 06:03:16 PM »

Is there a simple way to set Mach3 to turn the motors the opposite direction that they normally do? It seems that different computers send the motors in opposite directions and I either have to:

a) re-write my existing files
b) re-wire the motor outputs

It'd be great to do this in the software. Anyone know of a method?
-jim

46

General Mach Discussion / Re: x axis not moving when using one computer, does when using another

« on: December 03, 2011, 05:33:04 PM »

I have found that Dell laptops do not work (tried 3 of them) but had success with HP and Gateway units. I am using Mach3 for a mobile unit and really did not want to lug around a desktop computer. I also tried using the other pins I had available on the Dell units, but it did not work. BTW, Y,Z, and A axis DID work on the Dell.
-jim

47

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: More questions on calling sub-routines

« on: December 02, 2011, 10:07:49 PM »

Thankyou!  That works for me.
-jim

48

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: More questions on calling sub-routines

« on: December 02, 2011, 08:53:29 PM »

I cannot get a subroutine to run. I want to have the subroutine within the code. Please write me a complete example of a code with a subroutine. I need to know the order that everything should be in the code.

thanks,
-jim

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: x axis not moving when using one computer, does when using another

« on: November 29, 2011, 09:49:16 PM »

Yep, when I switched the pins the y axis stopped moving.  Can a parallel port on a laptop be fixed?

50

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drivers spiking like crazy -pulse rating too fast

« on: November 29, 2011, 08:48:21 PM »

Thanks Hood, I went through the whole process and that got the machine working!  Except for the x axis that simply doesn't turn. When i switch back to my original computer, the x axis does work. Any thoughts on what this problem might be?

thanks,
-jim