Difference between revisions of "Mach4 SimpleMotion drive plugin"

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(Requirements)
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[http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach4/ Mach4] is a CNC motion control software developed by Newfangled Solutions. The Mach4 SimpleMotion drive plugin is needed to run motor drivers connected to [[SimpleMotion V2|SimpleMotion]] bus with Mach4.
 
[http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach4/ Mach4] is a CNC motion control software developed by Newfangled Solutions. The Mach4 SimpleMotion drive plugin is needed to run motor drivers connected to [[SimpleMotion V2|SimpleMotion]] bus with Mach4.
  
=== '''Requirements''' ===
+
== '''Requirements''' ==
 
The following things are needed for building a CNC machine using Mach4 and motor drivers connected with SimpleMotion bus:
 
The following things are needed for building a CNC machine using Mach4 and motor drivers connected with SimpleMotion bus:
 
* [[ATOMI|Atomi]], [[IONI Servo & Stepper Drive|IONI]] or [[ARGON Servo Drive|Argon]]-based motion system, e.g. CNC mill, connected with [[SimpleMotion V2|SimpleMotion]] bus
 
* [[ATOMI|Atomi]], [[IONI Servo & Stepper Drive|IONI]] or [[ARGON Servo Drive|Argon]]-based motion system, e.g. CNC mill, connected with [[SimpleMotion V2|SimpleMotion]] bus
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* Select the plugin as motion control device
 
* Select the plugin as motion control device
  
=== '''Configuration''' ===
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== '''Configuration''' ==
  
 
==== '''Mach4 configuration''' ====
 
==== '''Mach4 configuration''' ====
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*** Select OOB axis from Mach4 settings and the same axis from the plugin configuration dialog
 
*** Select OOB axis from Mach4 settings and the same axis from the plugin configuration dialog
  
=== Other ===
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== Other ==
  
 
==== '''Version list''' ====
 
==== '''Version list''' ====

Revision as of 15:49, 10 January 2018

Mach4 is a CNC motion control software developed by Newfangled Solutions. The Mach4 SimpleMotion drive plugin is needed to run motor drivers connected to SimpleMotion bus with Mach4.

Requirements

The following things are needed for building a CNC machine using Mach4 and motor drivers connected with SimpleMotion bus:

  • Atomi, IONI or Argon-based motion system, e.g. CNC mill, connected with SimpleMotion bus
  • Windows PC
  • Mach4 software + license
  • SimpleMotion adapter depending on selected motor drivers

Motor driver configuration

Configure the motor drivers with Granity software:

  • Motor specific settings
  • Set position mode for every driver except for possible velocity-controlled spindle motor
  • Set suitable max. speed
  • Configure homing for all possible axes to ensure the positioning accuracy
  • Set soft travel limits

Mach4 installation

  • Download and install Mach4
  • Download the plugin files to the plugin folder TODO: Mistä?
  • Launch Mach4
  • Select the SimpleMotion driver plugin from Mach4 settings
  • Restart Mach4
  • Select the plugin as motion control device

Configuration

Mach4 configuration

  • Plugins
    • Simplemotion drive plugin must be checked
  • Motors
    • Counts/unit, velocity, acceleration, reverse
  • Axis mapping
    • Select motors. Numbers are different here compared to driver numbers!
    • One OB axis can be selected for being used as a velocity or position controlled spindle
    • Do not enable axes without motors
  • Homing/SoftLimits
    • Set home order
    • Home dir is selected in Granity software
    • Set home in place if needed
    • Set soft travel limits
  • Spindle
    • Min. and Max. RPM
    • A position controlled spindle can be selected here if it's enabled in motors

Plugin configuration

  • FTDI port number
  • Buffer max fill percentage
  • Spindle settings
    • Position-controlled spindle
      • Select from Mach4 settings
    • Velocity-controlled spindle
      • Select OOB axis from Mach4 settings and the same axis from the plugin configuration dialog

Other

Version list

Version Comments
0.1 The first beta release

Known issues

  • A small bump after disabling or stopping motion is possible