How can I use G-Code to pause the machine?

[HankMcSpank]

I'm trying to modify a half finished coil winding plugin which runs under Mach3 to suit my needs.

Basically the X Axis is a motor that turns while copper wire is wound onto it,while the Y Axis traverses left & right & so forth.

What I'd like to do is build in a pause at each end of the traversal (so I can apply varnish to each layer of winding).

I inserted a 'tool change' command as follows...

Code "M06(Apply Varnish!)"


...when the program is running, Mach3 duly pauses at that line, but when I click on 'cycle start', it takes about 30 seconds before Mach3 continue! I reckon this is becuase a tool change command takes the 3 axis back to machine coordinates & then back again (I can't see this - it's just an inkling).

therefore I was wondering what command I could use in place of a tool change to pause Mach3, but which starts off the axis moving again as soon as I click on cycle start?

[SCRAPWOTSCRAP]

Try "M00" or "M01".

[HankMcSpank]

The answer (as ever), was via Google (just need to get the correct search terms...

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/archiv...p/t-12505.html
Courtyesy of Al the Man...


"M01 is Optional stop, when this is seen, the program halts and waits for a cycle start. You would have to check to see if Mach2 has this."


I've since added...

Code "M01(Apply Varnish!)"

into my script & works a charm


Edit: SCRAPWOTSCRAP ...just seen your response - bang on! (thanks)

[SCRAPWOTSCRAP]

Now just remember to apply varnish when directed to, lol. Google is a most wonderful thing.

[HankMcSpank]

I'd still love to know how I can 'kludge' accelerate & decelerate per traversal...

Start
Move left to right
Gain full Speed.
Start decelerating as the right side target coordinate nears
Pause at right hand side
Apply Varnish
User clicks 'Cycle start'
Wire feed motor traverses right to left
Attains full Speed
Start decelerating as left side target coordinate nears

& so on.

here's what I appear to have at present...

Move left to right
Gain full Speed.
Abrupt stop at right hand side target coordinate.
Apply Varnish
User clicks 'Cycle start'
Wire feed motor traverses right to left at full speed
Abrupt stop at left hand side target coordinate.

& still open to ideas!

[SCRAPWOTSCRAP]

Well, if you know the left and right target coordinates, you might be able to achieve your accel and deccel simply by manipulating feedrates along the way to your target coordinates. Say right target is X10. Say your max feedrate is 300 ipm.

G01 X6. F300
G01 X8. F150
G01 X9. F80.
G01 X10. F20.
M01 (apply Varnish)

Rudimentary example but I think you'll get the idea.

[HankMcSpank]

It looks like this is my only option - I guess this could be coded into the 'behind the scenes' VBscipt - just got to work out how!

Many thanks!

[SCRAPWOTSCRAP]

Grab your calculater and figure percentages of distances to target coordinates and apply appropriate feedrates, once you know what feedrates work best, should be a simple formula.

[ger21]

Just lower the acceleration in motor tuning. That should do what you want.

[benjamint76]

http://www.acumotion.com/gcode.htm

Search for pause...
This says:
Example
G4 P2000
Description
Pause the tool for 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds) before continuing.

This should take care of the pause.
As far as the decel...G61 will cancel constant velocity mode and goto exact stop mode, thus decel. automatically. To cancel exact stop use g64 and you will be back in constant velocity mode.