Peoples,

I've been away from my MACH3, ping pong robot, project for a while. But now I'm ready to program it for footwork drills.

What I would like to happen is to be able to run M3 in step mode, and by pressing a switch advance to the next step.

Section 5.3.2 of the manual Input signals to be used, states: "The Input #4 can be used to connect an external pushbutton switch to implement the single step function."

I have the switch setup. The diagnostic screen verifies open and closed states. But the software does not step to the next line of code.

Can some please help me understand the function of the input #4. Or explain how I can use a switch to step through code.

Thanks much
Kevin

Hi, Kevin

To set this up, OEM 1000 is "Cycle Start", OEM 1004 is "Single Step", In Config, Ports-Pins, Inputs, OEM Triger's as below.

Then set, Config, System Hot-key's to 1000, 1004 as below, As set up below.

Pin 11 will turn On & Off "Single Step", Pin 10 will let you step through the G-code "Cycle Start".

Hope this Helps, Chip

This works GREAT! Perfect. Thanks Chip.

So what does "Input #4" do?

Kevin

what ever you set it up to do, you can configure it to do anything (within reason   )

Hood

I'm not speaking of "OEM 4".
If you scroll up a bit from the OEMs you'll see something labeled "input #4".
I think I understand the implementation of input #1 to #3.
But the manual does not explain how to setup "Input #4" for "step function". It is in section 5.3.2 of the manual titled Input signals to be used.

Kevin

Inouts can be set up for anything you want. Input 1 is a special case in that it can be used to stop code runing if a drive faults, it can still be sed for anything else if you dont need that function.

Will look at the manual in a bit and see what you are looking at.
Hood

OK just looked at the manual, Input 4 is also special, you can use it to connect a button to so that it will do single step each time you press the button. This does not mean it is only for that, if you dont use that function you can use it for any other input requirement you have.
Hood

I hooked it up and it did not step.
Is there an additional setting somewhere  that needs to be engaged?
Will you do a quick test (so I'll know if I was doing something wrong)?

Thanks
kj

I would imagine there should be a check box somewhere to asign it to Single Step button in a similar fasion that Input 1 can be set up to stop code. I will have a look at the manual and see if I can glean anything from it.
Hood

OK on the settings page, second button down on the left will allow you to set Input 4 for Single Step.
Hood