Hi Low shift, Ins and outputs.

[airnut]

I realize that there are a whole lot of guys out there building or retro-fitting all kinds of machines with the Masso unit. Got to say I have not been disappointed with the Masso unit and now have started the 2nd build. At the same time I recognize that it is a work in progress.

What I see on Version 3 is a whole lot of input fields that are not assigned and also a few outputs that could be assigned. As well as a lot of real estate taken up by tool changers and the like that some if not most of us do not have.

My machine is older and has a Shift function for low and High which would be great to be able to call from the program. At present I have a manual switch to do this but as I said it was callable in the old set up and I would like it on this setup.

Can we prevail on Support to add this function. It doesn't seem like a very hard thing to do and would be good for all of the Bridgeport copy machines being converted out there.

Thanks for all you do.

Steve

 

[cncnutz]

Hi Steve,

Can you elaborate on exactly what the Hi / Low functionality is on your machine.
If you simply want to use replace the manual switch with an output that can be called from Gcode then the function already exists.
Assign the output of your choice as an Auxiliary output. Example Auxiliary Output 5
From Gcode use the M64 P5 and M65 P5 to switch between Hi & Low

Cheers Peter

 

[airnut]

Peter,

The High / low range feature is for a gear change selector. This machine does not have a VFD and instead has a (transmission). Normally this is done manually. However, when converted to CNC there is a shifter that is air operated and of course that can be controlled with Solenoids and then output relays enabling program call from G code or MDI panel.

I am trying to understand what you said. After 4 plus months I am getting close and can almost taste success, but, also, I really am getting "dense" I guess, I don't understand what you said about auxiliary outputs or how to set them up. Can you point me to a Video or text that explains this completely?

Regards,

Steve

 

[cncnutz]

Hi Steve,

There is no video on the auxiliary output us but have a look at M62, M63, M64 & M65 documentation.

There are 16 auxiliary outputs that can be assigned to any of the Masso TTL outputs in the G3 or to any TTL or Relay output on the G2.
These are called Auxiliary Output 1 through to Auxiliary Output 16. https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/setup-and-calibration/list-of-configurable-outputs
These are used in conjunction with the M62 through to M65 Gcode commands.
Only M64 & M65 will suit your purpose.

If you assign an output as Auxiliary Output 16 then you can use the gcode commands M64 P16 to turn on Auxiliary Output 16 and M65 P16 to turn it off.
The "P" part of the Gcode command refers to the Auxiliary Output number.

There is little else to be said about it really.

I don't know about the Bridgeport transmission but if you need to stop the machine before changing gear then you will need to issue an M5 to stop the spindle before sending the M64 P16 or M65 P16.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Peter

 

[airnut]

Peter,

Thanks for this, I will dive in as soon as possible and see what I can set up. I will post here when I have it figured out.

Regards,

Steve

 

[airnut]

Peter,

Ok thanks, so if I understand you on this, I can call the function through a aux output (1-16) to the relay board which will toggle the shift function. using G code. Great, But and (maybe I am just dense or over thinking this), where do I find the input function that matches to that output to use my panel switch selector as an input for manual control?

Regards,

Steve

 

[cncnutz]

Hi Steve,

There is no corresponding external input to operate the output.
Sorry I misunderstood and thought you said you were currently doing it with a manual switch but wanted to used GCode and MDI instead.
I was talking about replacing the manual switch with an output.

The only output that has an external button associated with it that can be called in GCode is the Chuck Clamp output.
From memory you are already using this for your tool changer. If I am wrong and it is free then it may be an option.
Things to note: Gcode M10 & M11 turn on and off the chuck clamp output.
Neither the external button nor the GCode commands will work while the spindle is turning which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you need.

Cheers
Peter

 

[airnut]

Peter,

Thank you. It's just so sweet to be able to install a switch to an input and have it all (In House) as it were. Makes outputs a snap and they are coordinated with the internal workings of the Masso and assigned the G code.

With this, I think this is possibly the last puzzle piece and that may be what I need to finish this build. That is with the exception of the post processer to be able to post programs from Bobcad 29.

I do not have a ATC. I do have a power draw bar and a Spindle speed control that could be associated with the ATC but no ATC. So my chuck clamp function is not presently in use. If it disables the call to the spindle drive and nothing else that will set the brake then that should work great.

The Spindle Brake is now working perfectly outside the (Loop) as it were. I had it confused with the chuck clamp function. Arie got me sorted out on that one.

If this workaround works then I will be good with it. Still back to my initial request. How hard could it be to duplicate the logic of this function internally and add another input and output option programed and labeled as shift? Just copy and paste. In this case it seems like it is all the same logic just with a different name. I can't see ever using all of the existing options on one machine and more options are good.

Regards,

Steve

 

[airnut]

Peter,

Thanks for all you guys do down there under. I have to say I am very positive on Masso at this point.

I used your suggestion and hooked it up and just ran a test on it. It works great. The spindle interlock is automatic from Masso and also the M10 /m11 codes shift it. And the plus is my panel switch shifts it also.

There is only one thing I have noticed so far. There is an interlock safety check box on the clamp function in the Midi command box for this function.

I must check this box before using the buttons to shift it. I have not written an actual program to see if and how that works out in a program yet.

In my case and as a "workaround" and if you don't mind the minor confusion from the labels in the f1 screen and Midi box issue this does seem to work well as a high / low shifter at this point.

You asked what we wanted to see for improvements and I still would like to see the change I suggested as it would make things a lot cleaner in the long run. Workarounds are good short term fixes. Masso is becoming a great long term product.

So its just a long term suggestion. BTW, just thinking about how you may do it. You have lots of real estate in the F1 screen, you could use a toggle box to select between the list of common and not so common features like mine which could be called by the builders.

Regards,

Steve

 

[airnut]

Peter,
Back to this topic. I have now changed this back to all manual control for the shift function. My panel push button is a lighted toggle switch which tells me what position the transmission is in. One problem that has surfaced is that the output from the Masso relay board was constant. that is to say the SSR's were always in either one or the other state. This has caused the SSR's to be on all the time and that meant the air shift solenoids were also on. There was a constant buzzing from the Solenoids. The shift function does not need to be on all the time, and this has now caused the SSR's to both fail. My solution is to not require the G code function from a program and drive the SSR's directly off the panel switch and install an additional momentary push button that interrupts the low side of the selected SSR, thus shifting the head from low to high etc. The shift can only work when the spindle is not turning and that is limited by the motor relays which have the extra contacts and wiring to lock out the shift function and also operate the Spindle brake.
So, the shift between low range and high range can only occur when the motors are off. These things are controlled by the Masso already. Anyway, it is now not dependent on the Masso to function, and I just need to make a manual shift if necessary whenever I do a startup or tool change.

Regards,
Steve

 

[breezy]

@airnut
Not sure which version of software it was introduced but there is now Auxiliary Output (1-6) Toggle inputs that will toggle the state of the corresponding Auxiliary Output (1-6 portion of 16) that would allow toggling the SSR's ON/OFF and also to control the outputs through gcode M64/65.

• Auxiliary Output 1-6 (Toggle)
  

  List of Configurable Inputs

  docs.masso.com.au

 

[airnut]

Arie, Yes, I found those in the input tables on the mill. If I got this right. So inputs 1 through 6 passes through to corresponding 1-6 outputs and can also be controlled by inserting a m64 and off with M65 in a program call no matter what they control. Is that right?

I just got the new version announcement today and will be doing that download soon. So far, I have not seen the implantation we talked about in the upgrade specs. To be honest I have not done the download and install on the last 2 versions. Just getting back in the saddle after a down time of over 1 year plus.

As a reminder, You told me on my suggestion that the F1 screen initial password log in box would be fixed in the next release so I did not have to move my mouse select to it every time I ran the system and opened the F1 screen. That was so if it needed a password it would automatically center the mouse pointer position like the opening screen in Masso does. I suppose it doesn't matter to those with touch screens but sure is a pain for us that still use the mouse.
DId that ever get done?
Regards,
Steve

 

[airnut]

Arie,
Scratch my last. Fantastic! I just downloaded the latest version and the F1 function change is in there and working great. No more having to reposition curser to the box to enter the password. Thank you.