Has anyone rigged up a remote alert to let them know when the machine is done or when it wants a tool change?

I was thinking that I could use one of the commands that actuates a relay to trigger a micro controller that will sent a signal to an RF pager of some kind?

It should be possible to have it use the computers modem to call you on your cell phone. It is beyond my meager computer skills, but it should be doable. If you are in close proximity to the machine, say in the back yard working on the Honey do list, have it key a small frs or walkie talkie and you are all set. You could have it just activate a solenoid that pushes the talk button and also makes a noise or something so that you can tell it is your machine and not your wife.

Mike

It should be possible to have it use the computers modem to call you on your cell phone. It is beyond my meager computer skills, but it should be doable. If you are in close proximity to the machine, say in the back yard working on the Honey do list, have it key a small frs or walkie talkie and you are all set. You could have it just activate a solenoid that pushes the talk button and also makes a noise or something so that you can tell it is your machine and not your wife.

Mike

Yeah, that walki talki thing is exactly the sort of setup I am talking about.
Good thinking TotallyRc!

Make sure you let us know how it works out.

Glad I could help,

Mike

I loved the idea someone over at the Mach 3 forum came up with.

He basically said to have a phone mounted to the table and have the cutter go over to the phone and puch the buttons and call yourself. :)

I'm thinking if you're using coolant, it may not be the best idea :banana:

Dave

The other thing I was thinking would be cool is if I had a webcam pointed at it so I could keep an eye on it while I am watching a movie or whatever...

5artist5
My wife has been using an XCam2 wireless cam to an old "junker" TV for monitoring kiln temperatures. Cheap on eBay and I bet you've got an old TV lying about.
That way you still get full screen on your videos! ;)
Cheers - Jim

The other thing I was thinking would be cool is if I had a webcam pointed at it so I could keep an eye on it while I am watching a movie or whatever...

Its called machine porn. LOL

I sometimes watch it in a dark room all by my self.

Mike

Its called machine porn. LOL

I sometimes watch it in a dark room all by my self.

Mike

Now you've got me thinking about my job in a whole new way... :banana: :D

5artist5
My wife has been using an XCam2 wireless cam to an old "junker" TV for monitoring kiln temperatures. Cheap on eBay and I bet you've got an old TV lying about.
That way you still get full screen on your videos! ;)
Cheers - Jim

I do this too sometimes if the program is going to be a long one, I run the receiver for it into one of the inputs on my big screen and do the picture in picture thing. Works good for peace of mind (at least with that:))

Ok I have the Walkie Talkie ready to go and I started looking at the G540 and Mach# as far as how to set up the output to the relay and I want to make sure I have it right.
So If I Go to Spindle Setup in Mach3 and enable relays and set M8 Flood Output to #3.
Then in Output Signals I enable Output#3 and set it to Port1 Pin1. I should be getting a short to ground from position 6 on the G540 main terminal block?

Also because my power supply is 48V I am guessing I need to use a 48V relay?

Please let me know If I am on the right track here.

Ok I have the Walkie Talkie ready to go and I started looking at the G540 and Mach# as far as how to set up the output to the relay and I want to make sure I have it right.
So If I Go to Spindle Setup in Mach3 and enable relays and set M8 Flood Output to #3.
Then in Output Signals I enable Output#3 and set it to Port1 Pin1. I should be getting a short to ground from position 6 on the G540 main terminal block?

Also because my power supply is 48V I am guessing I need to use a 48V relay?

Please let me know If I am on the right track here.

I am prety sure that the relay will be 5v, not 48v, but I am sleepy. Check the manual to be sure. The rest of it sounds good. You will just put an M8 at the end of your code, a g4 p10 will give a ten second delay, the an M9 will unkey the mic. This way the damned thing won't be keyed the whole time untill you get there to shut it off.

Mike

hmm, i must be missing something. when i hook a wire from the 6 position on the G540 terminal block to the - side of a multimeter and the + side of the meter to the V+ side of the power supply fire comes from the power supply.

I double checked all the hookups and I can see no reason for this.

Any Ideas?

Make sure the meter is connected for volts and not amps. If you have the wires in the amps position, it is like a dead short.

Mike

Make sure the meter is connected for volts and not amps. If you have the mires in the amps position, it is like a dead short.

Mike

I double checked it and it was set to DCV.

It is a cheap meter though (HF) could it be the meter causing the fire to shoot out?

I am hesitant to put a nice meter on it now...

I double checked it and it was set to DCV.

It is a cheap meter though (HF) could it be the meter causing the fire to shoot out?

I am hesitant to put a nice meter on it now...

A good high impedance meter should put basically no load when taking the voltage reading.

If by fire you meen sparks and a large arc, the meter could be bad.

I am not sure if you should be trying to take a reading from the 48v power supply to the #6 pin on the g540. I will have to read the manual myself as I don't actually have one.

Mike

Here is the part of the manual that refers to outputs:



But after reading it again just now I am thinking that maybe I should use a different power supply for the relay power? It would obviously be easier to use a 12V relay than a 48 volt one...