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Author Topic: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate  (Read 2558 times)

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Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« on: November 24, 2017, 01:58:13 PM »
Is there code available / required when using Darwin, a clip on the tool bit and a copper touch plate? LED comes on when contact is made. Now just to automate it would be brilliant? The "Touch" button only refers to btn(114), so I assume no code in Lua for this, even though I'm using ver 3481.  :-\
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2017, 02:20:18 PM »
Hi,
I have the same build and it certainly has code and it works.

I think the Touch module works only with licenced copies of Mach. I am dubious that Darwin will enact everything required to make the Touch module
work. Mach4 is at its best and is designed for an external motion controller like an ESS. Art, the guy who wrote Darwin has categorically stated that
Darwin will never be fully featured, so things like THC, lathe threading and probably backlash compensation will never be enacted. Do yourself a favour
and get an external motion controller, there are four manufacturers competeing in the 'value' end of the market and any of them are good.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2017, 02:31:23 PM »
Hi, can you list the four?
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2017, 02:51:25 PM »
Hi,

https://www.pmdx.com/SmartBOB-compare
https://warp9td.com/
https://www.poscope.com/products/pokeys-devices/
https://www.cncdrive.com/

There are subtle variations in price and performance and features. All of the companies have a good repuation for  support.
There is a post on the forum placed within the last few days that XHC have entered the Mach4 market. The post warns that the XHC board works
OK with Machs core but NOT the GUI. Apparently XHC have little or no interest in fixing that glaring omission.

Just a warning too, the UC100 has been incredibly popular with Mach3 users and now that it has a Mach4 plugin will be equally popular with Mach4
users. Beware the Chinese knockoffs being sold on Ebay, they are rubbish by comparison. If buying any of these products buy from the manufacturer
direct or their nominated distributor, real cheap deals from other sources tend to be not so cheap after all!

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2017, 03:02:36 PM »
Hi,
should point out that there are some others who make really good stuff but a lot more expensive...their stuff is that good that they must be
mentioned even if I can't afford them.

http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/index.php
http://en.cs-lab.eu/
http://www.galilmc.com/


Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2017, 03:26:48 PM »
Stupid q,

This means on my 3020 chines jobbie that the black box disappears and is replaced with the new motion controller card, and the steppers and limits etc are connect directly to this new board?

Thanks
Dion

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Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2017, 05:14:05 PM »
The Touch Module will work with Mach4 in demo mode and will work with Darwin as it consists of G31 moves and a bit of maths, I have answered another thread that might explain why yours is not working.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,36039.msg246828.html#msg246828

DazTheGas
New For 2022 - Instagram: dazthegas
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2017, 06:05:18 PM »
Hi Dion,
Daz sounds like hes on to it...it will work in  Demo and with Darwin...all good news.

That control board you've got incoperates both a parallel breakout board and all of the stepper drivers. If you were to replace it with an external controller
you'd need not just the controller but the stepper drivers as well...starting to sound costly.

I think it is highly probabale in the end if you wish to persevere with CNC as a hobby that you will do just exactly that. In the mean time getting good value
from the gear you've got makes sense. A lot of Chinese made gear has poor documentation and little or no support but it does work. It can be very
frustrating but doable.

If you feel inclined to invest some more dollars thers plenty of good choices....but not strictly neccessary either.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'

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Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2017, 02:17:37 AM »
If the black box works ok via the parallel port then you can assume that this box already contains stepper drivers and possibly the easiest and cost effective step is to go with an ESS which emulates 3 parallel ports giving you plenty of expansion for the future.

DazTheGas
New For 2022 - Instagram: dazthegas
Re: Touch Module - Using Darwin, a wire and a plate
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2017, 08:28:49 AM »
The black box works fine, pretty much most of the signals all come through.  Its getting Darwin and Mach4 set up. I think when I eventually cotton on and get to grips with the  interfaces and understanding the correlation between the two, it will come together seamlessly... Says he hopefully.   ;)