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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: 4th
« Last post by cncmagic on July 04, 2025, 10:55:05 AM »same to you!!!!
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Mach4 General Discussion / 4th
« Last post by Bill_O on July 03, 2025, 11:30:27 AM »Just wanted to wish all my fellow Americans a happy 4th of July.
Bill
Bill
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Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Controlling Mach3 via socket connection
« Last post by djmickyg on July 03, 2025, 10:18:54 AM »I'm working on plugin that allow the control of Mach3 via a socket connect connection were by a API message can be passed to mach3.
I'm using python for the control. I assume it will work with any other program language that can create a connection.
Currently I am able to send and run Gcode and direction XYZ position, read machine positions via the get_dro call. the full is posted at the bottom of the post, some of the api calls are not working properly, I'm slowly working through them.
the reason for building the plugin as I am using my small benchtop mill for for capturing images used for macro photography and image stacking.
I have been using a custom Mcode that that writes and executes a batch script to run a command line image capturing program.
python will give greater control over the image capture and I can generate the gcode on the fly with inputs for custom XYZ step amounts between captures
currently I am having issues finding a nice way to determine if the machine is in motion so to not continue to the next command.
I am using a crude solution of polling the machine positions every 0.1 secs and checking when they are stable.
the IS_MOVING call I can't get to work
any one have a better way or know a direct call I can check for machine status?
Is this something that would be interesting for anyone else?
I'm using python for the control. I assume it will work with any other program language that can create a connection.
Currently I am able to send and run Gcode and direction XYZ position, read machine positions via the get_dro call. the full is posted at the bottom of the post, some of the api calls are not working properly, I'm slowly working through them.
the reason for building the plugin as I am using my small benchtop mill for for capturing images used for macro photography and image stacking.
I have been using a custom Mcode that that writes and executes a batch script to run a command line image capturing program.
python will give greater control over the image capture and I can generate the gcode on the fly with inputs for custom XYZ step amounts between captures
currently I am having issues finding a nice way to determine if the machine is in motion so to not continue to the next command.
I am using a crude solution of polling the machine positions every 0.1 secs and checking when they are stable.
the IS_MOVING call I can't get to work
any one have a better way or know a direct call I can check for machine status?
Is this something that would be interesting for anyone else?
## Supported Commands
- `GET_DRO <n>`: Get DRO number `n`. Returns `DRO <n> <value>`
- `SET_DRO <n> <value>`: Set DRO number `n` to `value`. Returns `OK`
- `DO_BUTTON <n>`: Press Mach3 button number `n`. Returns `OK`
- `GET_LED <n>`: Get LED number `n`. Returns `LED <n> 1` or `LED <n> 0`
- `SET_LED <n> <0|1>`: Set LED number `n` on/off. Returns `OK`
- `CODE <gcode>`: Run a G-code command (e.g., `CODE G0 X10 Y10`). Returns `OK`
- `MOVE_ABS <axis> <pos>`: Move axis (X/Y/Z/A/B/C) to absolute position. Returns `OK`
- `GET_PARAM <name>`: Get Mach3 parameter by name. Returns `PARAM <name> <value>`
- `SET_PARAM <name> <value>`: Set Mach3 parameter by name. Returns `OK`
- `JOG_ON <axis> <dir> <speed>`: Start jogging axis (dir: 0=neg, 1=pos, speed in units/sec). Returns `OK`
- `JOG_OFF <axis>`: Stop jogging axis. Returns `OK`
- `HOME <axis>`: Home the specified axis. Returns `OK`
- `PROBE`: Start a probe cycle. Returns `OK`
- `SPINDLE_ON`: Start spindle (CW). Returns `OK`
- `SPINDLE_OFF`: Stop spindle. Returns `OK`
- `SET_SPINDLE_SPEED <rpm>`: Set spindle speed. Returns `OK`
- `GET_SPINDLE_SPEED`: Get current spindle speed. Returns `SPINDLE_SPEED <value>`
- `SET_TOOL <tool>`: Set current tool number. Returns `OK`
- `GET_TOOL`: Get current tool number. Returns `TOOL <value>`
- `CYCLE_START`: Start program (cycle start). Returns `OK`
- `FEED_HOLD`: Pause program (feed hold). Returns `OK`
- `STOP`: Stop program. Returns `OK`
- `GET_USER_DRO <n>`: Get user DRO number `n`. Returns `USER_DRO <n> <value>`
- `SET_USER_DRO <n> <value>`: Set user DRO number `n` to `value`. Returns `OK`
- `GET_USER_LED <n>`: Get user LED number `n`. Returns `USER_LED <n> <0|1>`
- `SET_USER_LED <n> <0|1>`: Set user LED number `n` on/off. Returns `OK`
- `GET_INPUT <n>`: Get input signal number `n`. Returns `INPUT <n> <0|1>`
- `SET_OUTPUT <n> <0|1>`: Set output signal number `n` on/off. Returns `OK`
- `IS_MOVING`: Returns `IS_MOVING <0|1>` (1 if machine is moving)
- `IS_STOPPED`: Returns `IS_STOPPED <0|1>` (1 if machine is stopped)
- `SHOW_MESSAGE <text>`: Show a message in Mach3. Returns `OK`
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Machscreen Screen Designer / Image Button faded on Mach3 but good on Machscreen
« Last post by FlavioDPP on July 02, 2025, 04:11:58 AM »Hi all,
I'm facing a situation... I'm creating a machscreen with some image button (png) and the colours are great on machscreen.
When i open this .iset screen on Mach3.. the colours of those image buttons are like faded/less opacity.
Does anyone knows whats happening?
I'm facing a situation... I'm creating a machscreen with some image button (png) and the colours are great on machscreen.
When i open this .iset screen on Mach3.. the colours of those image buttons are like faded/less opacity.
Does anyone knows whats happening?
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General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 problems.
« Last post by Michaelc on July 01, 2025, 02:45:19 PM »Hi, I have hit a few problems which are beginning to get on my nerves. Ok, I got both axis calibrated on my lathe. Saved it all. Closed Mach3. Went back to the lathe a few days later and hit these problems. The motors will not move in jog unless it’s intermediate. If I press jog only nothing moves, what has gone wrong and how do I fix it.
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General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto motor tuning
« Last post by Michaelc on July 01, 2025, 02:38:45 PM »Thanks.
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General Mach Discussion / Re: On screen calculator?
« Last post by FlavioDPP on July 01, 2025, 04:21:18 AM »Sorry to dig up this topic, i have a problem with auto-calculator when want to insert a number with commas like '123.456' .. I only can write '123.' after this i click on numbers but they don't appear ...
If i use a real keyboard i can insert '123.456' in the DRO without any problem..
Have you experienced this situation?
By the way, if i use the same Mach3 program/folders, etc on other laptop or PC, i can use the Auto-calculator without this issue... strange at all
If i use a real keyboard i can insert '123.456' in the DRO without any problem..
Have you experienced this situation?
By the way, if i use the same Mach3 program/folders, etc on other laptop or PC, i can use the Auto-calculator without this issue... strange at all
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General Mach Discussion / Re: anyone ever have the screen go all jumbled?
« Last post by fast89 on June 30, 2025, 07:16:13 PM »I turn off the tool path display before running a long bar feed program. Have not had it happen in 2 days. Seems to be a toolpath/memory problem.
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PoKeys / Re: Pokeys 57U - Spindle Speed Control
« Last post by alanr on June 28, 2025, 12:22:20 PM »In terms of the circuit, they have shown one with a simple Op Amp. I agree, its not that difficult.
In the manual currently online, no Op-Amp circuit is shown. I suspect this may coincide with the introduction of the CNC version, which has a 0-10v output built in. I suspect we're talking about an RC on the input to an Op-Amp with a gain of 3 or so. But I'm not sure of the frequency, so I'm not sure of the RC values. Any hints?
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General Mach Discussion / Re: Relay clicks, the FWD light turns solid, but spindle does not turn unless...
« Last post by liamwonka on June 26, 2025, 10:38:08 PM »Hey lrgreen, would you mind sharing the answer you found? I’m running into the exact same issue with my setup and would really appreciate any insight you could offer.