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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    20

    Mach4 upgrade

    I've finally given in and upgraded to Mach4 on my 2012 Patriot after running Mach3 very satisfactorily for years. It's a laborious process as everything is different.

    My question has to do with spindle control. Under Mach3 and Mach 4 with the Gecko540, spindle control is on Pin14. I've set it to index and pulse frequency for speed monitoring. However, when I issue, say, M3 s500, nothing happens. I know my spindle works under manual VFD control, and in Mach 3. Not sure what is going on here? Has anyone gone to Mach4 yet?

    Joe

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    5

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    February 19, 2018

    Joe

    Did you get your problem resolved? I switched to Mach 4 about a year ago. What motion controller are you using? I'm using UC100 USB motion controller. I believe there is a spindle setup tab that needs to be configured. I had problems at first and was able to resolve them. I'm not presently at my machine but if you have not resolved this by Wednesday I can look a my settings and get back to you. I also tried the PoKeys57CNCDB25 motion controller but was never able to get it to work. I also tried the PMDX411 and was not able to get it to work either. What I don't like about the UC100 is that it does not support backlash control.

    I have a 2015 Mill-Turn.

    Anyway, let me know if you still need help and I'll do what I can.


    Britt

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    20

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    Hi Brett

    Actually, I am using a PMDX411 matched to a Gecko540 and the NOWFOREVER 100ES VFD on my 2012 Shopmaster Patriot Mill-Turn. Currenty, I believe that the CNC gurus at Artsoft and PMDX don't believe we should fix backlash compensation in the software, but rather fix the cause of the problem in the hardware. A noble htought, but easier said than done.

    Looks like unless PMDX changed something this is a problem for Steve over there to solve!

    Joe

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    1

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    What I don't like about the UC100 is that it does not support backlash control.
    It actually support backlash control with mach4.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    20
    Quote Originally Posted by Lajtinek View Post
    It actually support backlash control with mach4.
    Oh, okay, good to know. Thanks.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    20

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    Here's an update on the lathe spindle speed issue:

    Steve Stallings of PMDX recreated the same issue on their lathe. Here is his reply:


    >>>I have reproduced your problem on a system here.

    >>>Everything works properly on a Mill configuration using a G540 config
    >>>with PWM on pin 14.

    >>>When I run a Lathe configuration, I see symptoms similar to what
    >>>you described.

    >>>W>hen I take our sample Mill profile and set it to Lathe Diameter mode
    >>>>it does seem to work. Something is fishy here.....

    A few days later Steve came back with the following work around:

    >>>>Open the page at Config > Mach and it will default to the General tab.

    >>>>In the second column of options at the bottom is a block called Spindle Mode.

    >>>>Click on Constant RPM and the Apply.

    >>>>This should make it possible to control your spindle speed. It does not
    >>>>solve the issue of how to actually do Constant Surface Speed. I am looking
    >>>>into how that works. Seems very few people know and I need to talk to the
    >>>>right guy at MachSupport.

    So, here I am on MachSupport!

    I am running March 4 Build #3481 with a PMDX411 SmartBob [Rev A PCB] with SmartBob USB PlugIn version 0.52.254, SmartBob USB Bootloader version 1.13.73, and SmartBob USB Firmware version 0.58.205.

    Any ideas, anyone?

    Joe

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    84

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    I made a post with a video and the code I used to get CSS underMach3. Try searching for that. Shouldn't be any difference in the gcode.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    18

    Re: Mach4 upgrade

    Here is a link to jlmccuan's thread which helped me greatly in understanding how to use CSS with Mach 3 turn.

    https://www.cnczone.com/forums/shopm...d-cnc-css.html

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Posts
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by brittf View Post
    February 19, 2018

    Joe

    Did you get your problem resolved? I switched to Mach 4 about a year ago. What motion controller are you using? I'm using UC100 USB motion controller. I believe there is a spindle setup tab that needs to be configured. I had problems at first and was able to resolve them. I'm not presently at my machine but if you have not resolved this by Wednesday I can look a my settings and get back to you. I also tried the PoKeys57CNCDB25 motion controller but was never able to get it to work. I also tried the PMDX411 and was not able to get it to work either. What I don't like about the UC100 is that it does not support backlash control.

    I have a 2015 Mill-Turn.

    Anyway, let me know if you still need help and I'll do what I can.


    Britt

    Hi Britton
    I have a shopmaster patriot and just downloaded mach4 with a uc100 controler. 2 questions
    Did you hookup the uc100 direct or us anot he adapter?

    What downloads did you need to make it work with the patriot?

    I need all the help I can get.
    Thanks John

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