Dynomotion

Group: DynoMotion Message: 10022 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/23/2014
Subject: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
I'm trying to get my Kflop/Kstep working with a mini-lathe. I got motion out of the motors, but that's about it.I have been trying to get Mach3 to work. When I open the Mach3 Turn program and hit Reset, I get a message telling me it can't find init.c.

I went to Kmotion and tried to write an init.c file. I saved everything to the clipboard and tried to paste it into the C editor, but it refused, whether I used the right mouse button or CTRL-V. I finally managed to open the existing init.c file using Notepad, and I pasted the code there. Then I ran Mach3 again, and it still said it couldn't find init.c. Is there a specific location where I should put it? I found it in the C programs folder.

Kmotion is not liking the Gcode I've tried, either. Is there a list of Gcode terms this program likes? All I want right now are x and z movements. No coolant or spindle. One problem I've had is that the program disables axes for x and z values it doesn't like. It seems to like anything up to 0.2", but after that, it disables the axis unless I use the simulation mode. I do not have switches, and the soft limits appear to be set to values with huge exponents, assuming I understand the notation.

Can someone give me a clue here? I am not an EE or computer science major. This is my first CNC tool.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10024 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 8/24/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Hi toolhoarder,

I think you might have forgot to click or select something in the C Program before pasting.  If you can paste to notepad you should be able to paste into a C Program in KMotion.exe.

But regardless there is now a simpler "Export All to Open C Program" Button to move parameters from the KMotion Screens into a C Program.  After you have all your axes configured and tuned in KMotion.exe open the example:

\C Programs\KStep\InitKStep3Axis.c

then push the export button on the Config/Flash screen.  Then SaveAs to a unique file name for this system.

Within Mach3 configure reset to use this program in:

Mach3 | Config | Config Plugins | Dynomotion | RESET

You might also read this:

http://www.dynomotion.com/Help/Mach3Plugin/Mach3.htm

Regarding GCode: Basic XY motion can be performed with just G1 or G0.  G1 requires a feed rate specification (F).  Basic G Codes are listed here in the left side G Code Quick Reference.

http://www.dynomotion.com/Help/KMotionCNC/KMotionCNC.htm

HTH
Regards
TK


From: "toolhoarder@... [DynoMotion]" <DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com>
To: DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 5:24 PM
Subject: [DynoMotion] Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable

 
I'm trying to get my Kflop/Kstep working with a mini-lathe. I got motion out of the motors, but that's about it.I have been trying to get Mach3 to work. When I open the Mach3 Turn program and hit Reset, I get a message telling me it can't find init.c.

I went to Kmotion and tried to write an init.c file. I saved everything to the clipboard and tried to paste it into the C editor, but it refused, whether I used the right mouse button or CTRL-V. I finally managed to open the existing init.c file using Notepad, and I pasted the code there. Then I ran Mach3 again, and it still said it couldn't find init.c. Is there a specific location where I should put it? I found it in the C programs folder.

Kmotion is not liking the Gcode I've tried, either. Is there a list of Gcode terms this program likes? All I want right now are x and z movements. No coolant or spindle. One problem I've had is that the program disables axes for x and z values it doesn't like. It seems to like anything up to 0.2", but after that, it disables the axis unless I use the simulation mode. I do not have switches, and the soft limits appear to be set to values with huge exponents, assuming I understand the notation.

Can someone give me a clue here? I am not an EE or computer science major. This is my first CNC tool.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10027 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/24/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Thanks for the help. The Gcode reference should be very helpful. I was looking for code in various places on the web so I would have examples to learn from, and I think I ran into a lot of stuff that won't work for me.Regarding editing the file, I did do all the obvious things before coming here, depending on what "obvious" means, I guess. I do know how to paste text, and I did try the export thing, but I was only allowed to enter characters into the C editor by hand. Maybe my PC has a unique issue.

I am finding it tough to synthesize info from various bits of documentation in different locations. When I look at one source, I tend to forget the others. Maybe I need to write a flow chart.

The info on the Mach3 config has been put to use. I told Mach3 where the init.c file is. It still doesn't accomplish anything when I reset, but that probably means my init.c file is useless because I wrote it incorrectly. At least that's my hope. I'll go back over it and try to turn it into something that functions.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10028 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/24/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
I decided to remove the junk I put in the init.c file and start over. Now I can't export anything. When I click the export button, I get "No Axis Channel Settings for any Axis found in the C Program C:|Kmotion432\C Programs\init.c."I thought the export function filled the c program from the Configuration settings, but this message says it's trying to do the opposite.

It's still impossible to paste in the C program, so I will have to write the whole thing in Notepad and save it with a c extension.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10029 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Does Kmotion require a certain amount of content in the init file before it will export? I copied the file you suggested (InitStepDir3Axis) to init c, and I removed all the y stuff. After that, Kmotion was willing to export to it.I believe that from here on out, Mach3 and KmotionCNC will be the main things I have to work on.

Thanks for the free software.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10030 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Hi toolhoarder,

The Export function searches your C Program for blocks of axis parameters for your system and modifies them to match the screen settings.

Regards
TK 

Group: DynoMotion Message: 10031 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
The motors run at Mach3's direction now, so it looks like it will just be a matter of study from here on out. It should be no problem getting KMotionCNC going. I appreciate the effort you put in to getting this thing going.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10032 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Thanks for your patience.

Good luck
TK

Group: DynoMotion Message: 10033 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Wonder if anyone can give me one more tip. It appears that my steppers are going in reverse in Mach3. I have not tried KMotionCNC yet. Is there a way to change this in software? I wired them the way the documentation directed, so I am concerned that if I switch wires, I'll have more confusion later.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 10034 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Hi toolhoarder,

You can reverse the direction of Step/Dir Drives by changing the sign of the OutputGain Parameter.

Regards
TK

Group: DynoMotion Message: 10035 From: toolhoarder Date: 8/25/2014
Subject: Re: Can't Find Init.c in Mach3, and Axes Disable
Wonderful. That will make a big difference in the way the parts look.