M01 - Optional Stop With User Prompt (resolved)

[mrichards]

Hi,
Using V-Carve Pro 9, I have modified my post processor to add a M01 (optional stop) at the beginning of each toolpath that doesn't require a tool change. Now I can halt execution to screw down parts, re position clamps, whatever. Works as expected.

Now; I'm trying to add notes that pop up for the operator with the M01 stop but cant seem to get it to work.
In V-carve, the post processor has the ability to include notes with each toolpath.
The Acorn manual mentions that comments after a colon (:) are displayed (see 11.2.12 : | Visible Comment Identifier) .

I tried;

Code: Select all

N100 ; Optional Stop
N110 M1
N120 :THIS IS A NOTE
N130 ; Start Spindle
N140  S13000 M03
ETC...

also tried putting it on the same line:

Code: Select all

N100 ; Optional Stop
N110 M1 :THIS IS A NOTE
N130 ; Start Spindle
N140  S13000 M03
ETC...

Neither worked.
I'm wondering if I need to use a M225 to pop up an actual dialog box and somehow test for optional stops being active (however I don't see a parameter to query for that)? I wouldn't want to pop the dialog if M01 is off.

Any Ideas?
Thanks.

[cnc_smith]

Mark,


The ; can be used any where on the line. The : can only be used at the beginning of the line or just after the "N" number.

On the line with the M1 use the ; after the M1. This will display the commitment with the M1.

[swissi]

Mark
another way would be to use the "Skips" command.

F4 - Skips On/Off This function toggles the block skip feature. When block skipping is on, G-code lines that start with a forward slash character ‘/’ are skipped, i.e., they are not processed. Note that because of the way a job is processed (in a pre-processed buffered fashion) the effect of this key may be delayed if you press it while a job is running. The On or Off label indicates the state to which the /Skips feature will toggle to when pressed. It does not indicate the current state. The current state is indicated in the user window above.

Let the post processor write a line like this before the Tool Path:

Code: Select all

/ M200 "My message goes here"

As the command says, you can skip blocks starting with a "/" by turning Skips On (Run[F4] -> /Skips On[F4]).

-swissi

[mrichards]

The skips function with M200 worked perfect,
Thanks.

[ShawnM]

The skips function with M200 worked perfect,
Thanks.

Mark,
Can you share how and where you modified the Vectric PP to add in this optional stop? Would this be in the "new_segment" section? I have 3 cut files I could use this for.

Thanks,
Shawn

[mrichards]

Hi Shawn,
Sorry, I missed this question back in June.

Yes, I modified the New Segment section as follows:

Code: Select all

+---------------------------------------------------
+  Commands output for a new segment - toolpath
+  with same toolnumber but maybe different feedrates
+---------------------------------------------------

begin NEW_SEGMENT

"[N] ; ---------------------------------------------"
"[N] ; New Segment: T[T] - Speed:[S]"
"[N] ; ---------------------------------------------"
"[N] ; OPTIONAL SKIP F4"
"/[N] ; Stop Spindle"
"/[N] M05"
"/[N] M200 [34][TOOLPATH_NAME] \n [TOOLPATH_NOTES] \n PRESS CYCLE START TO CONTINUE[34]"
"/[N] ; Start Spindle"
"/[N] M03 [S] "
"[N] ; ---------------------------------------------"

[ShawnM]

Thanks Mark, I ended up manually adding a m code that I use to park my machine to send it to the park position at the back of my table and then added a M200 message with the details and then a "press cycle start to continue" in the g code. It was only for 3 cut files I use. I may try your code in my PP to see how it works. Thanks again.

Shawn