Announcement: Mach3 is now closed loop!

(This was posted earlier under a different subject and Bill asked that I post it again.)

Group, I've been holding off announcing this as we are waiting on
production boards from the manufacturer. Jim Cullins of Sound Logic
and myself have been working on an encoder interface for Mach
systems
which closes the encoder loop back to the software. I'm happy to
announce
that after revisions and much testing that an interface does indeed
exist and works perfectly.

A macropump monitors Software DRO's and Encoder DRO's at 10
samplings
per second and faults the system on a discrepancy value set by the
user.
A "following error" value is entered into an onscreen DRO. The
system
will enter "feedhold/pause" and halt all motion until the situation
is
corrected. So this means no more ruined parts on systems prone to
losing
position. And that potential exists for practically any open loop
system. I have been using this on a test machine (Bridgeport) and it
works
very well. I adjusted acceleration and velocity higher to purposely
cause lost postion for testing and over the past few months the
system has
performed perfectly every time. The board is connected via a second
parallel port that must be installed in the PC. This also allows the
user
to run at faster feeds and speeds without the fear of losing
position.

In a count discrepancy, an onscreen LED next to the offending axis
will
flash red, the machine will halt all motion on feedhold and a 90 db
sonalert will sound and alert the operator of the situation. It will
allow
the operator to jog cutter away and correct count discrepancy. This
is
done by a "sync" key that has been added next to each axis as well.

Mach3 is now closed loop. In addition, the board includes 4 onboard
output relays to control auxillary devices. And up to 4 additional
inputs
for probes, MPG's, OEM triggers, etc. Also provides external power
supply for the encoders. Which eliminates the need for encoders with
less
than 50 ma draw for the Geckos. Can use any encoder now. The
installation is very easy and I will offer a complete package with
everything
needed for a hassle free upgrade. Also with this system. Mach3 may
be put in "reset" and the controller becomes a manual DRO. I will
include the macropump and screenset designed for this use.

The board and more info can be seen at:

www.rogersmachine.net

As I stated, we have no boards ready for shipment and I will post
when
they are available which should be any day.

This makes Mach a much better system.
Thank You, Ron



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