Messages

1

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-416 Digitizing Probe

« on: March 14, 2018, 12:44:42 AM »

Hi Guys,

Is it possible to run a digitizing probe with the PMDX-416 and Mach4?
If so, looking recommendations on what probe would be suitable.

Or, is there another alternative??

THANKS

Daryl

2

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: ERROR WITH NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE AUG 2017

« on: August 23, 2017, 12:25:20 AM »

FURTHER TO THE ABOVE. IT APPEARS THAT MACH4/PMDX-416 IS IGNORING THE SETUP TO MY DEFAULT OF METRIC IN THE GENERAL SETTINGS IN MACH4. 

ERRORS WITH MOTOR SPEED AND RUNNING JOB (WAY OVER SCALE) PRESENTED.

SORRY I HAVENT GIVEN MORE DETAIL BUT I HAVE CARRIED OUT THE UPGRADE IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT OF PENDING WORK THAT I NEED TO GET OUT.

DARYL

3

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / ERROR WITH NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE AUG 2017

« on: August 22, 2017, 11:19:47 PM »

Hi,

I have just reloaded MACH4 and loaded the latest PMDX firmware for my PMDX-416 as per email notification.

Now when I set my work zero position, move away and hit the Go to Work Zero Button in Mach4 I get the following message - "AXIS 3 COMMANDED WHILE DISABLED"

HELP REQUIRED.

THANKS - DARYL

4

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: 411 has stopped working

« on: March 04, 2017, 07:53:41 PM »

Just thought of something else I do on my CNC pc's.

Go into device manager and switch off Auto Power Off on each USB hub.

5

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: 411 has stopped working

« on: March 04, 2017, 07:52:13 PM »

Charles,

I'm still testing my machine.  However, during this time I kept having dropouts PMDX/Mach4. I placed ferrite beads on both ends of the USB cable.  No further issues.  (I used the clamp on type ferrites)

This may help!!!!

Cheers

Daryl

6

General Discussion / Re: setting up limity switches and homing.

« on: March 02, 2017, 03:41:51 PM »

Hi Charlie,

If you get the setup working could you share your results please?

Still scratching my head

Cheers

Daryl

7

General Discussion / Re: setting up limity switches and homing.

« on: February 27, 2017, 03:41:28 PM »

Hi Charlie,

It sounds like you are about at the same stage that I am in the hair pulling stakes.  I think I will get my build finished with some hair left but a little greyer perhaps.

This is how I home my machine.  Move the gantry to the desired home position -  In Mach4 Toggle on Machine Coordinates in the Current Position Screen - Hit Reference All Axis Button.  This is now your home position. 

I have not fitted my limit/home switches yet so I'm purely "playing" with soft limits. 

I like you work to material centre on my old machine and expect to do the same on my new build.

Cheers
Daryl

8

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: February 22, 2017, 06:03:45 PM »

Mike,

The "sanity check"  revealed that the tool travels about 1.5mm too far in the -Z axis after touching off and returning to zero.  I compensated by fudging the thickness of the touch plate in the setup.

I have attached some pics of my scratch build CNC.......getting closer to making wood chips.

THANKS for your help.

Cheers

Daryl

9

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: February 21, 2017, 12:09:10 PM »

THANKS Mike.

10

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: February 21, 2017, 03:30:07 AM »

Good work Mike,

I now have it working woohoo.

OK but there still may be an issue.  This is my second CNC build. The first one was using an Arduino based system and was all logical for me.

Example:  When I touch off with the Arduino based CNC, and I touch off the Z position is logical.
Firstly, set Z axis to Zero have retract set at 10mm,  touch plate is 5mm thick - After touch off new Z position shows 15mm

With Mach4 - Set Z axis to zero, Retract set to 10, touch plate 1mm.  My expectation is new Z position after touch off would be 11mm.

However, in the History window I get the Z position after touch off -5.4mm and the current Z position shows 12.6mm 

Nothing seems logical in these figures.

Any ideas????

Cheers

Daryl

11

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: February 20, 2017, 12:04:17 PM »

Hi Mike,

THANKS for the reply.  I'm just using the touch off screen.  If I keep pulling my hair out I will be bald within days.

Also THANKS for your offer to give some direction which is gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Daryl

12

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Mach4 Touch Module Error

« on: February 20, 2017, 04:02:31 AM »

Slowly working through issues with my new build.

Latest Problem:-

Running PMDX-416/MACH4

When I try to do a simple Z axis touch off as soon as the tool makes the contact with the touch plate I get the following error -
"Can't transition from MDI to Stop"

I note another posting with this issue on this forum but there seemed to be no resolution.

Any ideas????

Cheers

Daryl

13

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: February 20, 2017, 03:14:29 AM »

Mike,

Did you find a solution to this "Can't transition from MDI to stop" error.

I'm setting up a new machine and just trying to do a simple Z axis touch plate instruction gives this error as soon as the touch plate is shorted by the tool.

Cheers

Daryl

14

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-416 DROPS COMMS WITH MACH4

« on: February 19, 2017, 04:14:45 PM »

PROBLEM SOLVED

Fitted ferrite chokes to the USB cable between PC and PMDX-416  -  No further reoccurrences of the problem.

15

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-416 DROPS COMMS WITH MACH4

« on: February 18, 2017, 07:18:07 PM »

Hi,

Today I connected my 3 Axis CNC with all motors in situ on the machine.

I could jog X Y & Z OK.
Hi Guys,


When I send a test job with no spindle motor running, I get the following error in MACH4 after a minute or two of operation.

ERROR:  Could not disable the PMDX-SmartBob- USB error "cannot communicate with device"

Do you think I have an issue with - EARTHING - MACH4 - or PMDX-416??

Looking for a help to formulate a logical progression in fault finding this issue.

The machine is running 4 stepper motors (1 in slave)  connected to M542T drivers.

THANKS in anticipation.

Cheers - Daryl