Multiple Axis Movement & other issues

[dylan-hydronalix]

Hello,

I have a few questions in regards to the control unit and MPG pendant.

Currently I have a HTG5A1S installed on a 4 axis mill. After the install of the control unit I have run into the issue that if the machine is jogged manually in 2 axis the unit will freeze up completely and proceed to run until it reaches the hard limit of the axis. In this scenario, the entire unit is unresponsive and even the emergency stop is unusable. The only way to stop the machine is either to let it reach the hard limit or cut the power entirely.

Also, is there a way to automatically obtain a tool offset for different length tooling? Currently we have a system where we do not have a fixed collet and so we will have tools that extend out different lengths.

Finally with the MPG pendant, how do you obtain different movement rates? The CNC that we have is very large, so even at the highest setting the movement with the pendant is painfully slow.

 

[masso-support]

1. Whats the software version running on your MASSO controller?, its displayed on all screens on the top right corner.
   
2. Can you please send us the MASSO settings file as per this link: https://www.masso.com.au/docs/masso...download-machine-profiles/save-load-settings/
   
3. Regarding the MPG moves, there was one issue that we have resolved regarding MPG not working well if turned to quickly. This issue was fixed in v2.28.22a, please also note that moving longer distances using MPG might not be a good idea as its designed for more precise positing.
   
4. For tool length you can use the automatic tool calibration option, please see this link: https://www.masso.com.au/docs/masso...tion/touch-probes-plates/automatic-tool-zero/
   
5. If your version is less than v2.28.22a then please email you MASSO's serial number to support@maso.com.au and we will email you the new software.
   

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

Quote from MASSO - Support on February 28, 2018, 7:09 am

1. Whats the software version running on your MASSO controller?, its displayed on all screens on the top right corner.
   
2. Can you please send us the MASSO settings file as per this link: https://www.masso.com.au/docs/masso...download-machine-profiles/save-load-settings/
   
3. Regarding the MPG moves, there was one issue that we have resolved regarding MPG not working well if turned to quickly. This issue was fixed in v2.28.22a, please also note that moving longer distances using MPG might not be a good idea as its designed for more precise positing.
   
4. For tool length you can use the automatic tool calibration option, please see this link: https://www.masso.com.au/docs/masso...tion/touch-probes-plates/automatic-tool-zero/
   
5. If your version is less than v2.28.22a then please email you MASSO's serial number to support@maso.com.au and we will email you the new software.
   

1. Mill Gen-II v3.25
   
2. Uploaded.
   
3. Found an alternative solution.
   
4. Currently we are using your automatic tool zero feature, however our tool setter is 40mm tall. This has led to the machine thinking our tool is 40mm longer than it actually is. Is there no way to automatically account for this or must the tool setter be completely flush with the bed? So far we've tried manually adjusting for this. I have also attached a few pictures to see our tool setter conditions.
   

Also to reiterate we believe we have the newest software update, and the dual axis movement completely freezes the control unit. We are also using Fusion 360 for all our CAM and design purposes where specifically use the CAM options for Masso specific units as specified by the software.

 

[masso-support]

the MASSO settings file is 0 bytes, can you please resend the file.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

We are having issues downloading the settings. While attempting to save the setting files on to a USB drive, the MASSO control unit will lock up until the USB drive is pulled. This we have tried for upwards of 20 minutes and the unit stays unresponsive the entire time after "Save To File" option is selected. We've tried inserting the USB while the control unit is on and before it's started. We've also used several different, clean USB drives. It is not until the USB drive is pulled that it will say settings saved to disk and become responsive again.

EDIT:

To add, each time the we have attempted this, the MASSO file is empty.

 

[masso-support]

Yes the old software had some USB driver issues and that is why we should update it, can you please let us know your controllers serial number and we will send you the new software and the new software also supports USB hubs and mouse.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

5A-1879, How do we account for the height of our tool setter?

 

[masso-support]

Thanks, just emailed the new (alpha) software to your registered email ID (naxxx.xxxxer@hyxxxxxxix.com ), please load it to the controller and follow the following steps.

So the way tool setter and machine work offset works is as below:

1. Once the Auto tool zero has been enabled and setup in F1-Setup screen, make sure there is a tool in the spindle and home the machine.
   
2. Next with the same tool in spindle jog to the machine bed and touch the tool tip to the machine bed.
   
3. Now while the tool is touching the bed, go to F4-Tools & Work Offsets.
   
4. Double click the G54 and click Autoload button next to the Z Offset value.
   
5. Click Save and now the default work offset G54 is set and your machine bed is now Z0.00. This value will remain in the controller even after power down and as G54 is the default work offset that gets loaded on power up, your machine bed will be automatically set to Z0.00.
   
6. Once the above is done, on any new tool change the controller will do a touch off and then as per the height of the tool your machine bed will automatically become Z0.00
   

Please let us know if you need any further help.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

Ok, just had a chance to update software. I have attached our current settings.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

Had a chance to test out some of the machines control, and ran into a new issue. Now, after homing it the machine, it will rapidly move in the x and y axis until it abruptly stops.

With the MPG pendant, unless you are moving a single click at a time the machine will act unpredictably, even moving in the opposite direction at times.

Also, the issue where the the double axis movement causes to the unit to lock up still persists. It even freezes mouse movement.

Finally, will your auto tool zero work even though we have to manually put in the tools? The tools will always be different lengths. I have included links to videos of us showing our problems.

 

[masso-support]

1. So it looks like the machine is homing the axis and then going for an auto tool zero position and due to high rapid rates locking up, we need to see the settings on the controller and need the MASSO settings file.
   
2. Do you have auto tool zero enabled in the F1-Setup screen?
   
3. Adjusting tool heights is what auto tool zero is for, it will automatically adjust the tool length.
   
4. If can please send the MASSO settings file with this new software version then we can look into all the settings.
   

 

[masso-support]

Just saw that you have already loaded masso settings the file, we will check the file settings and get back to you.

What time zone are you guys in so that we can probably do this over the phone much faster.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

We are in GMT-7.

We have fixed the homing issue and figured out the auto tool zero properly. The issue with dual axis movement persists, and we are now having trouble using the PlayStation controller, as no input are working.



I would like to thank you however, as you've been incredibly helpful and our machine is at least usable now.

 

[masso-support]

Oh great, we also had a look at the settings file and below are some points that can help you guys going:

1. Firstly please note that the release that you are now using is an alpha (pre-release) as with the old version there were issues with USB drivers as the chip manufacturer stopped supporting USB. So this release has new USB drivers and supports USB hubs and mouse but at the same time the entire software was reworked which induced some new issues that are being found and resolved.
   
2. Mainly to our knowledge the biggest change at this stage is that the controller performs well till only 40khz pulse rate and anything above this will cause issues, so as a first step please reduce all axis feedrates so that its less than 40khz.
   
3. We looked at your settings files and found that if you see the resolution of each axis, it comes out to be very high which practically is not possible in a mechanical system and is just increase the pulse rate (khz). So please reprogram your drives and make the pulses per revolution values smaller.
   
4. Secondly, as with any setup lets do things in small setups because doing everything together in a single go will cause confusions.
   

Step by step approach:

1. Reprogram your drives and make the pulses per revolution values smaller.
   
2. Make sure all axis pulse rate is below 40khz, we can increase this later its just that lets run slow initially and get the machine going.
   
3. disable auto tool zero and check homing works fine
   
4. next enable auto tool zero and test this works fine
   
5. get familiar with auto tool zero and work offsets
   
6. next do some dry runs on the machine to understand and test work offsets
   
7. Finally look into things such as PS2 and MPG, please also give your feedback if you have any issues with these two and we are also working on a new MPG logic that will have smoother movements, hope to have it ready in the next day or two.
   

And please don't hesitate to contact us because most of the time we have resolved the same issue earlier and might be something simple.

Thank you for your patience and kind understanding.

 

[dylan-hydronalix]

So we've had a chance to reprogram the like you said and make a few parts, but we're still having some issues.

The MPG pendant will still move in the opposite direction on occasion, especially on the .100 setting.

Also, our alternative solution to the keyboard, the PS2 controller, is not functioning. We've wired it like your diagram you have, but no buttons function at all. They do absolutely nothing.

Finally, does your controller have the option to change when the spindle comes on? We've found that the program will just start and machining regardless if the spindle is up to appropriate speed or not.

I have attached my settings so you can see what we've done so far.

 

[masso-support]

1. The reason why MPG would move in the opposite direction is if for example your axis has a minimum travel of 0.00 and maximum travel of 1000mm, now if the softlimits are switched off, then using gcode G0 X1100 we move outside this range and then try to move to lets say 1200mm with MPG then the system will see that you are already out of the MAX travel range and correct itself by moving back to 1000mm.
   
2. The right way to fix the above is: First make sure the min and max travel for all axis is properly set, next enable soft limits, this way you will always be in the axis travel range.
   
3. Yes in the alpha release PS2 is not yet working, this will be corrected a bit later in the release.
   
4. Regarding the spindle I think you are talking about the spindle acceleration time, as this differs on machines, right now you can put a G4 command after spindle start to add a delay. We are also thinking to add acceleration and de-acceleration settings for the spindle in the F1-Setup so that MASSO can automatically wait for the spindle to come up to speed before cutting.