Handwheel Function ?

[nelZ]

I'm having an awkward time setting up the more complex jobs.

Question...If I install the handwheel according to Camsoft's default thru the ICM 2900 with axis and or multiplier selection going thru the Opto relay board...

Can I single step thru a program, and when the machine is not running(waiting for the next step) can I handwheel jog it THEN just push the single step button and carry on ???

Bonus question...every time I load a program the motors turn off with the resultant drift and necessary re-zero. ?

We're gonna get this bridge built yet!

nelZ

[Al_The_Man]

There is two customary methods called interrupted cut, one is where you would push the HOLD button and say jog a axis to a position to change a tool etc, between moves etc.
The RESUME button would then be pushed to continue from where the move was interrupted.
The second method is where the handwheel is used after HOLD and the axis moved to a new position, and when the RESUME is pushed, the move carries on from the new position to the programmed end point.
I am not sure whether anyone has done this in Camsoft.
Why are the motors turning off when a program is loaded?.
Traditionally with Galil, if the servo's are off as in an E-stop, the SH can be continually sent, so that if the servo's are moved maually, there is no error or jump when they are re-enabled.
Al.

[Karl_T]

Can I single step thru a program, and when the machine is not running(waiting for the next step) can I handwheel jog it THEN just push the single step button and carry on ???

Bonus question...every time I load a program the motors turn off with the resultant drift and necessary re-zero. ?
nelZ

The beauty of Camsoft. You can do anything you want. it is simply the most configurable control there is.

I've not seen a need to do anything like what you're describing. If you're not Gcoding in incremental, you're going to need to apply a new OFFSET. See G54 - G59. I'd use an on screen button to call an Mcode and make the change.


For your servo issue, start by sending your logfiles to Camsoft. Those folks are GREAT and reading that logfile and diagnosing the issue. if that don't yield the answer, we'll have to start putting error message traps in your code.

Try this one for grins: (note I write for Pro, you'll have to check syntax for Lite)

COMMAND MG_SHA
RESPONSE \55
MESSAGE \55
--M92 'or any other unused Mcode

Now make one of your unused buttons run M92. When you press it, you can see if the servo for the A axis is on or off. Someplace, (where??) I have code that reads all the servos and concatenates a string for the servo state of each one.

Karl

[Al_The_Man]

Bonus question...every time I load a program the motors turn off with the resultant drift and necessary re-zero. ?
nelZ

Even with the power off the drives, Galil keeps track of the position as long as the encoder is connected and powered.
So normally you should not have to re-home.
Al.

[nelZ]

Karl,

the meat & gravy on this machine uses a rotary indexing CNC head and up to 4 tools including saws of various diameters.

With the (incremental) Bandit a new setup would go like this.

Change fixture on indexer for appropriate parts, change angle on sine table under indexer, load "critical" tool and do an auto X then Y position. Bring tool down with jog to, first clear, then do a touch and clear to cut start position, Then from that known point, run the Z Y X table return G0's and write down the machine axis positions (incremental HOME). THEN all tools must be cleared manually (cleared meaning brought to position manually and safely to prevent crashing).

Then, run the program and tweak where necessary.

I know it would be best to go absolute with tool offsets and such. I have to run incremental for now. The problem is the sine table inaccuracies and (MOSTLY) the people who run it have a habit of crashing it too often for it to be caused by that troublesome Bandit controller (rest its little soul).

Given that, can I Single Step the X and Y, then push the Z button on a pendant, handwheel the tool down to cutting height, then handwheel it back to Z 0.0, then hit Single Step, or Full Auto and carry on?

I'll have to call Camsoft for the protocol to get a logfile of the load program motor off thing.

Thanks again!

nelZ

[nelZ]

Al,

Thanks for the help. I run incremental so I would have to put

G90
X0Y0Z0
G91

at the beginning of programs and everywhere after tool changes (see my setup protocol in last post)

I already have to change all the Bandit's I, J, K's to X, Y, Z and add all the G0's and G1's where appropriate. (can you say imminent crashing?) I've got a LOT of programs to change. They aren't CAD>>>CAM'ed, they are written line by line.

nelZ

[Al_The_Man]

I wondered if this is what you were looking for?
Maybe not, if you are working in incremental.
Thinking about it, incremental should not matter?
Al.

[nelZ]

Thanks Al,

That's encouraging. What machine is that from?

nelZ

[Karl_T]

I know it would be best to go absolute with tool offsets and such. I have to run incremental for now. The problem is the sine table inaccuracies and (MOSTLY) the people who run it have a habit of crashing it too often for it to be caused by that troublesome Bandit controller (rest its little soul).

Given that, can I Single Step the X and Y, then push the Z button on a pendant, handwheel the tool down to cutting height, then handwheel it back to Z 0.0, then hit Single Step, or Full Auto and carry on?

What you're proposing is doable. its going to take a LOT of coding effort. Forgive me, but you're not yet up to the task.

I suggest you change your paradigm of thinking you need to stay with the old way of doing things. Learn to run your parts with absolute Gcode programming and tool offsets. There's a good reason the whole industry has went this way.

Karl

[Al_The_Man]

Thanks Al,

That's encouraging. What machine is that from?

nelZ

That is an option on Fanuc controls, I have seen it on others also.
Al.

[nelZ]

Thanks Al,

Karl, you've tasked me. I'm not comfortable with the the Lite manuals in regard to coding. I've done machine language, assembler, basic, Fortran, so I can handle lower level coding. Problem is that I don't have time to do trial and error on syntax. The code you gave me (thanks) handles the looping thing very well. Some parts of it don't seem logical. I tried it according to what I thought was logical and it does not work. That's why one needs good manuals.

I have a hardware idea that could get me on the road. I need advice though.

I have diff/quad encoders on this machine with A+ A- B+ B- outputs.

On my ICM 2900 Galil breakout...could I disconnect the A- and B- wires and just go along as usual?

Depending on your answer I have an idea which could get my stop and jog thing going, backorders would dry up, and I could make a replacement part for that German compound injection mold that broke today. (I'm German but I swear, those guys need a life! I'm gonna go blind working on this thing-it's built like a damn watch out of M2)

Either way, I'll share my data - positive or negative and give you schematics. Chips are like building blocks - if you know how to make them get along with each other.

Humbly, ('cause it might not work)
nelZ

[Karl_T]

On my ICM 2900 Galil breakout...could I disconnect the A- and B- wires and just go along as usual?

You're describing the single ended encoder connection. Works with very short distance between encoder and Galil board.

Karl