Problem with M3 and M5

[thedoctor]

I have finally beaten back all the beasts in Ubuntu and Emc2 and got my machine running. Two issues, one minor. I can turn spindle(torch) on and of with the f keys and the manual toggle but M3 will not turn it on though M5 DOES turn it off. The flood switch can be turned on and off similarly but it always shuts off with a M3 or M5. The MDI(or whatever its called) line commands do nothing except turn off spindle or flood. Also, I would like to remove the Z axis from play as I don't use it. Homing has to be done one axis at a time because Z isn't used and it faults out the homing process. Any help is welcomed.

[thedoctor]

I ran through all the HAL settings and the machine configs and found all to seem right. However, I did notice that the toggle on the manual screen for spindle turns to a lighter gray when I run in auto, though it still shows the changes from on to off. It is almost as if the power was not turned on to just the spindle section. Works fine in manual but not in MDI or auto.

[dschbr]

You must include some Sxxx value with spindle run M3 in you gcode.
I bet this is your problem.

Best regards,

Daniel

[thedoctor]

I can't believe how simple that was! Where in any documentation does it tell you that you HAVE to put in an "S"? How many other little pesks like this are in EMC that aren't in the other control programs? Now my carefully set up Hal stuff is working like a digital clock! Thanks so much for putting up with and assisting this rookie!

[Big John T]

Kinda cryptic but it is here...

http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html...ub:M3,-M4,-M5:

I take it your running a plasma torch? I run my plasma torch on EMC and use Sheetcam for my cam program along with Qcad for simple cad tasks.

As for your homing you say you have no Z so i assume you are just wanting to home X and Z. In your ini file each axis has a HOME_SEQUENCE. If you set the Z to -1 or comment it out then it will not be included in the home all.

Again kinda cryptic but it is here...
http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html...ng.html#r0_1_3

John, who works on the manuals everyday trying to make them better