Recent Posts

1

Mach Screens / Re: simple numeric keyboard for input in DRO

« Last post by Thom on April 21, 2026, 02:22:39 PM »

Sorry but I thought this was modified for an MDI input keyboard on Reply #3. Not being able to write scripts/code makes some functions difficult. Thank you for the reply.

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 scale issues

« Last post by Bill_O on April 21, 2026, 07:26:42 AM »

You need to incorporate the screw pitch.
I also suggest lowering the microsteps.
That is very high

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: page up, page down for z axis not working

« Last post by Bill_O on April 21, 2026, 07:24:01 AM »

If it is a number keypad make sure NumLock is off.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle won't start - pwm bumped to minimum setting - Advice please

« Last post by scottrich on April 21, 2026, 02:16:16 AM »

Since it works when you toggle “Step Low Active”, check:

Ports & Pins → Spindle Setup: make sure PWM is enabled and min PWM isn’t set too high
Try lowering Minimum PWM (e.g. 0 or very low)
Verify Output # for spindle is mapped correctly (Ports & Pins → Output Signals)
Check pulley settings (Config → Spindle Pulleys), max speed not set too low
Also confirm your S command in MDI (e.g. M3 S1000) actually outputs a valid speed

The “pwm bumped into minimum” error often happens when Mach3 can’t output a valid PWM within your defined limits.

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach 4 scale issues

« Last post by robertsears on April 20, 2026, 10:56:27 PM »

Hello,
I have a Harbor Freight mini mill that I converted into a 3-axis CNC machine using a Heavy Metal ball screw conversion kit and Automated Technologies electronics. For my workflow, I design parts in Fusion 360 and run them in Mach4. I also installed the Mach4 Mill post from Autodesk’s website into my local library.

To test the setup, I created a small bottle opener. However, every time I run the G-code, the finished part comes out at about half the intended size. The scaling is consistently off—the part is always noticeably smaller than the original design.

In my machine setup, the units are set to inches, while the unit mode is set to metric. I’m wondering if this mismatch could be the issue, or if my motor settings might be incorrect.

Motor settings:

Counts per unit: 40960.0
Velocity: 35 units/minute
Acceleration: 0.49 units/sec²

Motor specs:

200 steps per revolution (1.8° per step)
128 microsteps

My calculation:
(200 × 128) ÷ 0.625 = 40960 counts per unit

I’d appreciate any insight or suggestions on what might be causing this scaling issue.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: page up, page down for z axis not working

« Last post by Tweakie.CNC on April 20, 2026, 10:47:24 AM »

Not sure this will help but…
In Diagnostic / Keyboard Inputs check that Page Up / Page Down illuminate when you press those keyboard keys. If not then change the key allocations (usually 33 / 34) to match your 540p keyboard.

Tweakie.

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: page up, page down for z axis not working

« Last post by jlroch on April 20, 2026, 08:59:21 AM »

is there no one that has any suggestions?

8

*****VIDEOS***** / Re: Greetings from Tokyo this spring.

« Last post by Tweakie.CNC on April 19, 2026, 01:16:28 AM »

Excellent work Yoshii - your builds just keep getting better 

Spring is rapidly progressing here in the UK also, the daylight hours are getting longer, flowers are blooming, birds are singing and making their nests. It will soon be summer.

Tweakie.

9

*****VIDEOS***** / Greetings from Tokyo this spring.

« Last post by myoshii on April 18, 2026, 07:58:56 PM »

Spring is rapidly progressing in Tokyo, hinting at the intense heat of this summer. How is it in your country?

https://youtu.be/NTkY0HkL2p0

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Tool height probing jitter

« Last post by FiveO on April 18, 2026, 12:20:40 PM »

if the upper link does not work for videos, use this: https://limewire.com/d/2c3Jx#pvVPYoUWnE