Messages

466

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Laser Diode on the 126

« on: March 13, 2015, 09:52:43 PM »

You are correct. The outputs on J6 are referenced to PCgnd.

There is an unregulated +V output on J7 that is near 12 volts and
referenced to PCgnd,  BUT neither it or the +12U on J11 and J12
are capable of anywhere near the amount of current needed to
operate a 2 watt laser diode. You will need a separate power
supply. I would recommend using an isolated regulated 12 volt
supply and tie its negative to PCgnd so that the laser diode
driver will see the logic level outputs on J6. Your laser ground
will be connected to PCgnd and not connected to GND (machine
side ground) so there is no cross connection or ground loop.

This still does not address the issues of Mach3 configuration
swapping and how to provide control of the laser that is properly
synchronized with motion. The latter is plug-in specific, so I would
recommend that you consult with SmoothStepper experts on that.

467

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX 422 Smart-BOB Project Timeline

« on: March 12, 2015, 07:57:05 PM »

Tandem axis support was supposed to be done this past Monday, but we
got snagged with issues in the Mach4 motion data structures that came
to light when screw mapping was added. Our plug-in code is now working
and should be documented and released Friday, 13 March 2015. Don't
say anything about the date.  8~)

The support for probing is partially complete and we hope to get it out
late next week.

Next up is probably automatic gantry squaring using two separate home
switches on the two tandem axes.

Beyond that I would rather not speculate just yet, so many things on
our plate.

468

Cables, connectors, switches, contactors, sensors and other items / Re: PMDX-126 + tormach probe + electronics help

« on: March 12, 2015, 04:32:28 PM »

If your IR probe receiver presents a GND when the probe is not triggered
and +5 volts when it is triggered, then it should just work normally.

If your receiver presents GND for probe triggered, then you will need to
configure the probe input in Mach3 for the opposite "Active Low" polarity.
In this case you cannot use the "Probe Merge" option on the PMDX-126.

If your receiver has noise on its output, that will confuse Mach3. This
will be difficult to see unless you have a scope. Mach3 can respond to
noise spikes of as little as 1 uS in some cases.

469

Generic Spindle interfaces, I/O boards, Misc boards and panels / Re: PMDX-106 vs PMDX-107 Questions

« on: March 12, 2015, 04:18:20 PM »

While these boards are designed to work with VFD inverters, they can work
with many DC motor controllers. More information is needed before I can
tell if it will work with yours. Please post a manual, a link to the manual,
or at least a make and model number if you want additional help.

The PMDX-107 is designed to mate directly with a PMDX-126 or PMDX-132,
thus making the wiring simpler. The PMDX-106 has extra relay contacts
and inputs for manual mode control. Basic functions are the same for
both boards.

These boards require a PWM signal for control. They cannot accept step
and direction (pulse repetition rate) for speed control. Mach3, despite
the fact that you must set pin numbers as if they were step and direction,
actually will output PWM as needed.

470

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach 4 Release 2251 No motor movement

« on: March 09, 2015, 11:33:47 PM »

Changes to Mach4 when screw mapping was added resulted in the motion data
used by the SmartBOB plug-in being invalid. We are working on a fix for that, but
until that is available we recommend that you use Mach4 build 2247.

471

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: panasonic servo drives with pmdx126

« on: March 09, 2015, 11:11:35 PM »

Hi Robert,

I am confused by your reference to "connector 4, 6, and 9 respectively". Can you
explain what connector you are talking about? I have been going by the diagram
on page 29 of the manual referenced in my email quoted below.

============================
These are very sophisticated drives and there is much more to setting them up
than just getting the wires in the correct place. I have found a user's manual on
line and any page or diagram references that I make are in reference to this
manual:

https://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/i_e/25000/minas_a_e/minas_a_e.pdf

The step and direction input wiring is shown in the diagram on page 29 of the
manual. You will be driving the opto-isolators shown near the top right corner.

Step signal from J1, J2, J3, or J4 of the PMDX-126 goes to PULS1 on the MINAS

 PCgnd from J1, J2, J3, or J4 of the PMDX-126 goes to PULS2 on the MINAS

 Direction signal from J1, J2, J3, or J4 of the PMDX-126 goes to SIGN1 on the MINAS

 PCgnd from J1, J2, J3, or J4 of the PMDX-126 goes to SIGN2 on the MINAS

In addition to configuring the MINAS using its setup procedure, you will have to
provide a Servo-ON command by connecting this input to COM- of the MINAS.

I think you will have to provide the 24 VDC for the COM+ but I am not sure.

Later, after you get the basics running we can discuss how the PMDX-126 can
support the Servo Alarm and the Alarm Clear functions on the MINAS.
=======================================

The Minas servo drives have a large number of configurable parameters and it
is beyond the scope of PMDX technical support to configure these drives for
you. You might want to ask on the Mach3 Yahoo forum if there is anyone
who is more familiar with them.

Steve Stallings

472

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: problem 422

« on: March 08, 2015, 11:32:09 AM »

OK, not the symptoms I expected, but there are issues with build 2259
and our plug-in. The screw mapping "enhancement" caused problems
with the way Mach4 provided motion data. Please drop back to build
2238 or 2247 until we or Mach4 fix this problem.

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-Forums/index.php?topic=68.0

473

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: problem 422

« on: March 08, 2015, 08:56:17 AM »

No, I have not seen such a problem before, but I would need better
information to try to understand it. Please try to provide the following:

Mach4 build number
Plug-in version number
A copy of your "Machine.ini" from your Mach4HobbyProfilesmy-profile-name  folder
A copy of your G-code program

If you prefer not to post these items on the forum, you can email them directly to PMDX.

474

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: 134 MOB Resistors

« on: March 06, 2015, 08:08:07 PM »

The result you describe does not sound right. You should get
normal motion at 4 amperes. I suggest that you verify that
your resistors are really the value that you think they are.
They should measure about 62K with a meter. It sounds
like you might have 6.2K resistors.

475

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: panasonic servo drives with pmdx126

« on: March 06, 2015, 09:24:47 AM »

Yes, we have customers using Minas servos. Please describe your problem and hopefully provide a link to the manual for the drives that you actually have.

476

Announcements / Mach4 build 2259 released - oops

« on: March 05, 2015, 12:22:35 PM »

Build 2259 should not be used, please use build 2270 instead.

(obsolete comment, see above).... OK, the motion data interface in the Mach4 API still has issues, please drop back to 2238 or 2247 if you need to make real parts....

===========================================================

Build 2259 of Mach4Hobby can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2259.exe

.... or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2259.exe

This build runs with PMDX SmartBOB USB plug-in version 0.17.86 or newer. Plug-ins can be downloaded here:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Build 2259 includes the following changes that will impact the user experience:

1) Fixes bug in the motion data in API that slipped in when Screw Mapping was introduced in build 2251. This bug prevented motion data from being seen by the SmartBOB plug-in.

Mach4Hobby is evolving rapidly, so be sure to check that your plugin is compatible with the version of Mach4Hobby that you are running.

Steve Stallings

477

Announcements / Mach4 build 2255 released

« on: March 04, 2015, 11:08:36 AM »

!!! >> oops, skip this build, it contains an API bug that prevents motion from working
         properly with SmartBob devices, use build 2270 or newer instead << !!!

(obsolete comment, see above) DO NOT USE BUILD 2259!!!  Use an earlier build 2247 or earlier ***


Build 2255 of Mach4Hobby can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2255.exe

.... or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2255.exe

This build runs with PMDX SmartBOB USB plug-in version 0.17.86 or newer. Plug-ins can be downloaded here:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Build 2255 includes the following changes that will impact the user experience:

1) Renamed the Diagnostics Tab to be Machine Diagnostics Tab (looking at signals) in order 
    to avoid confusion with the Diagnostic Menu item which provides access to Logging and
    Plug-In diagnostics.

2) Fixed a bug introduced in toggle buttons by build 2251. In the wxMach screen set this
    made it impossible to Enable the machine.

Mach4Hobby is evolving rapidly, so be sure to check that your plugin is compatible with the version of Mach4Hobby that you are running.

Steve Stallings

478

Announcements / Mach4 build 2251 released

« on: March 03, 2015, 11:50:21 AM »

!!! >> oops, skip this build, it contains an API bug that prevents motion from working
         properly with SmartBob devices, use build 2259 or newer instead << !!!

**EDIT AGAIN** DO NOT USE BUILD 2259!!!  Use an earlier build 2247 or earlier ***


Build 2251 of Mach4Hobby can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2251.exe

.... or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2251.exe

This build runs with PMDX SmartBOB USB plug-in version 0.17.86 or newer. Plug-ins can be downloaded here:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Build 2251 includes the following changes that will impact the user experience:

1) Provisions added for Screw Error Mapping.

There are other changes behind the scenes including:

2) bool -> BOOL in InterpreterInfo struct.

3) Mach4 GUI fix for DRO events.

4) Take out Modbus assert messages.

Mach4Hobby is evolving rapidly, so be sure to check that your plugin is compatible with the version of Mach4Hobby that you are running.

Steve Stallings

479

Announcements / Mach4 build 2247 released

« on: March 03, 2015, 11:45:59 AM »

Build 2247 of Mach4Hobby can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2247.exe

.... or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2247.exe

This build runs with PMDX SmartBOB USB plug-in version 0.17.86 or newer. Plug-ins can be downloaded here:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Build 2247 includes the following changes that will impact the user experience:

1) Modbus now saves device description.

2) Fix Find/Replace in mcLuaEditor.

3) Implement brace matching in mcLuaEditor.

4) Added the tools to disable the A axis rotation

5) Spelling corrections and language updates.

There are other changes behind the scenes including:

6) Add bitmaps to toggle button.

7) System variable part counters implemented. #3901, #3902, #6700, #6710,
#6711, #6712, #6713 DROs can now edit system var (parameters) by index.

8) Single argument ATAN implemented.

9) System variables and Macro B enhancements.

10) Update to names. The vars that are in the parameter list are now started with SV_

11) Use "C" locale only.  Only translate the strings.

12) Update signal states at mapping time.

13) Update lathe screen for installers.

Mach4Hobby is evolving rapidly, so be sure to check that your plugin is compatible with the version of Mach4Hobby that you are running.

Steve Stallings

480

Cables, connectors, switches, contactors, sensors and other items / Re: Help with Proximity sensors

« on: February 27, 2015, 06:22:38 PM »

The resistors should fix the problem and only cost a few cents each.

The leakage does not pose any sort of risk of future failure, so running
your current sensors with the resistors is not a problem, if it works.

There is a separate category called "Show and Tell" that is intended
for users to show their builds and other projects. It is at the bottom
of the list of categories. Photo attachments are allowed and encouraged.