[ger21]

1) Look at the CPU usage in Task manager when you're getting the delays, and tell me what it is.

2) Turn off the toolpath display, and see if it helps.

You didn't mention a video card? Sounds like the Larger toolpath display is bogging down your PC.

It runs fine on my PC with a 1Ghz pentium III, with an old AGP video card.

[ger21]

Send me an email.

There isn't actually an editable version. You can edit the version you have.
What I provide for the additional $7.50 is the layered Photoshop file that I used, which makes editing the screen a little easier.

[MegaMoog]

Gerry,
I'm wanting to modify the (Press Cycle Start after Tool Change) comment to (Change Tool, Attach Lead, Press Cycle Start) when tool changes are called out. Trying to modify vb script but not finding which one?
I have to attach lead on the tool bit before it probes down to touch fixed plate, n I definitely need REMINDING…. LOL

Thanks, MM

[ger21]

That's a Mach3 message, and can't be changed. You could add a msgbox to the M6 Start macro, which will open a window that can remind you. You would then need to click OK in the window, then press Cycle Start.

[Borneoben]

Hi Ger

been a while since i posted but i finally got around to trying your suggestion to fix my issues with unreliable pocket centering in my 2010 install.

Here is my original problem i posted in May.

I am having trouble getting reliable probing results from my mach3 2010 screenset when using the center finder probe with my makers guide triple edge finder.
It works perfect every time when setting Z zero but its hit and miss with the center finder from the probing page.
It will start the procedure just fine until it touches the first edge then it pauses and then all three axis move at the same time in a jerky motion. It often find the first edge pauses and then starts moving in the same direction in a jerky motion. i have to be careful when testing as it could easily lead to damage.
Sometimes it finds two sides of the circle but then goes nuts. Very occasionally it will work just fine, sadly not often enough to use the feature.
The probe is being sensed just fine or so it seems as the indicator light shows up reliably when the edge finder is touched against the bit.
I have added the small capacitor across the probe leads on the breakout board and that didn't help so i added a second one in parallel with no luck.
The capacitors i used were 0.01uF 50V DIP Low Voltage Ceramic Disc Capacitors

I'm using an old PC running XP and Mach 3 Version R3.043.066

I am using a clean bit without any burnt material on it and the software seems to reliably sense the probe as the green indicator lights up.

Any suggestions guys?

Thanks in advance



You suggested the following.

"The first thing I would try is changing to version 3.043.062, as 3.043.066 is very buggy.
You can get it at the FTPp site:
ftp://anonymous:[email protected]/

I'm assuming that you're using the parallel port?

If version .062 does not help, open Windows Task Manager while probing and monitor the CPU usage, and let me know what it is"

I tried this and it didn't make any difference.

I have also swapped out my break out board and this made no difference,

The CPU usage while probing is pretty low at between 15% and 30%.

The simple Z Zero script works perfect every time but the Pocket center finding script just doesn't seem to work reliably for me.

Do you have any further suggestions?

Many thanks.

Ben

[ger21]

Go to the ftp site and get 3.042.020, and try that.
If it still does the same thing, try creating a new profile from scratch.

[RCaffin]

Hi Gerry

.042.020 - way before my start. What was so special about it?

Cheers
Roger

[ger21]

I tried this and it didn't make any difference.

I have also swapped out my break out board and this made no difference,

The CPU usage while probing is pretty low at between 15% and 30%.

The simple Z Zero script works perfect every time but the Pocket center finding script just doesn't seem to work reliably for me.

Do you have any further suggestions?

Many thanks.

Ben

If the older version, or clean .xml don't help, then my guess would be either PC or electronics. Unfortunately, I don't have any other answers.

[ger21]

Nothing in particular. A lot of the later versions have random bugs that crept in, and for some people, older versions are more stable.

[adam_m]

Ger21,

I have a quick question / dilemma which I hope I can put into words and I'm hoping for some insight in getting around this issue
.

My Z max travel is 6" and I need to use a jig that is approaching 5" and I'm running into a "Safe Z" error when attempting to mill this part but I don't understand exactly what its telling me so that I can get around the issue. I have safe "Z" checked but don't know what will happen if I uncheck it?



Can you or anyone for that matter help?

[ger21]

Show me your Config > Safe Z screen.
It should be set to a little less than zero, and be using machine coordinates.

[adam_m]

I think this is the one..

Here is the warning also..

[jcrouch]

I have been using your 2010 screen set for some time, almost from the begining. I have hesitated to ask but would like to know if there is a way to show the profile name being used on the screen. Both my son and I use it in different ways so we both have a prifile. Not sure it would be any help for others with the work it may take. I tried to see if anyone has talked about this but not able to find any questions like this. Thank You for this great screen set and every one that have contributed.

[ger21]

Hit the TAB key. The profile is shown on the Diagnostics screen.

[jcrouch]

Thank you again

[Dan911]

Can we expect a similar Screen set for UCCNC? If yes anytime soon?

[ger21]

Yes, it's almost finished. I'm working on a manual, and waiting for a new release of UCCNC to fix a bug in the current version that has a minor effect on the screen.
I need to make some modifications for the different motion controllers, and get it to some beta testers, as I don't have a machine running UCCNC. I have my UC300ETH with some push buttons for testing.

Note: It's 1920x1080, and I removed the UCCAM portion.

Here's a preview of it.

[Old_Phart]

Gerry,

How difficult is it to create a new screen? I want to use 2 screens, one touchscreen for control and the other for everything else. I haven't seen one like that.
i.e. is it VB requiring studio or is it simpler than that?

[ger21]

There's really no programming needed unless you want to do "non standard" things.
You just use a Mach3 Screen Editor like Machscreen.
For a basic screen, you just start with a blank background and add your controls. If you want fancier buttons and backgrounds, then you need to create the graphics for them.
Note that Mach3 doesn't support dual screens, so you'd be creating a single screen that would span across your two monitors.

[Old_Phart]

Non standard... for example?
I guess I will figure out what you mean shortly, I just placed my orders to build a CNC router so I will be hip deep soon enough. I'm just getting a feel for it.
Bummer about dual screen support - but I suppose thats one example of non standard.