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Question about Mach3 and inputs
« on: July 08, 2007, 03:32:11 AM »
Hello all, first post here.

I just recently acquired 2 laser displacement sensors  with a 4" working range that I would like to fit to a 2 axis table I'm constructing (I might add a moving z-axis if I need later).   The purpose is for laser scanning objects.   I would have gone touch-probe, but I picked up the sensors for a remarkably good price.

The question I have is about Mach3 and inputs.  The output is a 4ma-20ma, and it comes with a 249ohm resistor to give me a 0-5V result. 

I noticed the Gecko breakout boards have an analog input.

If I used a board with an input such as that, does Mach3 have the ability to record the points for generating a point cloud?

I'm just trying to find if there is software that does this before I take the long route and code it myself.   I've heard great things about Mach3 and am hoping it has this type of option for analog inputs.

Thanks in advance.

Offline Graham Waterworth

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Re: Question about Mach3 and inputs
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2007, 05:23:02 AM »
Hi,

Mach3 has 2D and 3D digitising, this will produce a cloud point for you, look under the wizards and search the forum for more details

In the config you can assign an input pin to be the trigger for the probe input

Graham.
Without engineers the world stops
Re: Question about Mach3 and inputs
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2007, 09:10:05 AM »
To do this you will have to write your own plugin in C++ :( It should not be that hard and I would have a look at the board from CNC4PC, They have a new modbus board that should get you the data that you need.

Thanks
Brian
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Re: Question about Mach3 and inputs
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2007, 12:39:23 PM »
C++ eh??  Been about 8 years since I touched that.  I'm pretty big in VB, but I guess I can dust off the old C++ skills.   ;)

Thanks for the tips, I'll check em out.
Re: Question about Mach3 and inputs
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2007, 01:06:23 PM »
Hi,

Mach3 has 2D and 3D digitising, this will produce a cloud point for you, look under the wizards and search the forum for more details

In the config you can assign an input pin to be the trigger for the probe input

Graham.


Now most I've seen have a TTL input, and that seems to be what you're talking about.  Rather than it being a on or off situation, I'm looking for an input that is variable from 0 to 5V, which would be an ADC taking it to steps that the software can use to tell me the distance from the sensor to the object I'm scanning.

I guess I could use it like a probe and the alarm output, but that wouldn't be any faster than a standard touch probe.     Basically I'm looking to write a routine and take about 50-100 points per second recording the x, y and z, putting them into a CSV.

I checked out the CNC4PC and it looks like the inputs are for switching only.........or am I not reading that correctly??  I need an ADC input for the variable as described above.

Thanks again!