[diyengineer]

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/...0mm_Components

Would it be easy for mach 3 to control a Reg Green Yellow stack light?

Anyone done it?

[CarveOne]

Are you talking about directly from Mach3, or through gcode commands when a job is running?

Mach3 - A VB script can be written to detect when the Run, Reset, or Pause status is active and maybe send that signal to a breakout board.

Gcode - Gcodes for functions that you don't otherwise use could be used. There are user definable gcodes also. you would need a board to translate the signals to control the lights or LEDs.

I'm no expert on this subject but I think there are possibilities.

[jalessi]

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/...0mm_Components

Would it be easy for mach 3 to control a Reg Green Yellow stack light?

Anyone done it?

Pairing a PoKeys56U with solid state relay's (SSR) would be a elegant solution even though it might be a bit of overkill.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10636

http://www.poscope.com/pokeys56u

Having 55 digital I/O at your disposal and only one USB cable or Ethernet connection back to your computer makes for a very clean installation.

Duncan at CNC4PC stocks the entire line with all of the accessory products too.

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/index.php?cPath=54

Jeff...

[rustamd]

I'm in same boat, and would like to have stack light on my machine, but at the moment really could use yellow light when M1 is active, does anyone have solution on how to go about doing this?

Thanks,

[PoppaBear10]

There is an easier way........

all you need is 3 outputs off of your break out board, (second para port may be needed), or usually an SS or ESS will have the outputs extra.

In Mach3 build a "Brain" for your stack light, conditions, on the output side, since most stacks are 24v. You would need to use 3 relays to pass the signals.

Brain would be:

(the below resetled and m1led are inverted and and'ed together)

ResetLED->invert
>and ->output4 (green light)
M1Led->invert

M1Led->output5 (yellow light)

ResetLED->output6 (red light)

you could use brains to add complexity or other conditions as well.


Scott

[diyengineer]

Say i only have 1 output port free. How do i expand that port into more?

[rustamd]

Say i only have 1 output port free. How do i expand that port into more?

Second parallel port or PoKeys is what I use.

[diyengineer]

No 2nd port on the BOB. Looks like ill have to use POKEYS for expansion.

[rustamd]

Thats what I mean, you get second parallel port(a expansion card for your computer), and another BOB and you got more I/O.

But Pokeys is good option also.

No 2nd port on the BOB. Looks like ill have to use POKEYS for expansion.

[diyengineer]

(chair)

haha

opps!

I didn't even think about using a 2nd BOB on another parallel port! That would be a quick way of doing it too.

[Al_The_Man]

Have you looked at a Modbus fix for expanded I/O?
There is a stack light example
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...YRqkjeEwfGAc9A
Al.

[rustamd]

This is close, but I dont think its exactly what I need, and I don't know enough about this stuff to modify to my needs, and I think i worded my goal wrong,

Basicly I got this one 2 axis mill, so when there is Z change or tool change I put in M1's in the program, so I would like to be able to see when its time to change tool or reposition Z without having to walk over there but just glance at the stack light.

Is something like this possible?

Thanks,
Russ

There is an easier way........

all you need is 3 outputs off of your break out board, (second para port may be needed), or usually an SS or ESS will have the outputs extra.

In Mach3 build a "Brain" for your stack light, conditions, on the output side, since most stacks are 24v. You would need to use 3 relays to pass the signals.

Brain would be:

(the below resetled and m1led are inverted and and'ed together)

ResetLED->invert
>and ->output4 (green light)
M1Led->invert

M1Led->output5 (yellow light)

ResetLED->output6 (red light)

you could use brains to add complexity or other conditions as well.


Scott