Messages

1971

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic pulse train fix?

« on: June 10, 2013, 07:15:01 PM »

Sorry, but I didn't keep track of the Dell's model numbers as we tried them but the problem was typical in that each had on-board graphics and had ringing on the signal. Additionaly the driver test would show pulse rate was not near
the test pulse rate ( say 20k instead of 25k).  The one I am currently on at this moment, GX520, is fine for everything but just sucks for use with Mach.

Have an old laptop ( NEC with PP and runs Mach with no problem ........but it is so slowwwwwwwwww......

Had a computer put together for me and works fine. So do the driver test and look at the signal if you can and decide form there is the only true advice I can give.

RICH

1972

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic pulse train fix?

« on: June 10, 2013, 08:03:18 AM »

dell computers are pretty stable.

Just a comment and your experiences may be different .................
 
Not my experience and that goes for about 6 different models that we have tried using.
The on-board graphics may cause problems thus providing a very poor output signal.
I would not recommend using a Dell unless you use an extenal motion device.

RICH

1973

General Mach Discussion / Re: nema 23, 76mm body, 1/4'' - 6.35mm shafts, 'b' through shafts - now what?

« on: June 10, 2013, 07:48:36 AM »

I just want to buy some stuff.......

Buy once and for the right reason or you will end up buying  lots of stuff.  

I will assume that you are retrofitting an existing machine.
How the stepper is wired determines it's operating characteristics. Torque, operating speed, amps / voltage required
etc. The stepper is sized for intended use and you need a desirable  torque range at some operating speed for whatever you are going to do. The system ie; power supply, drive and motor act as system, so, before you just buy
you need to understand how that is interelated.

You may want to consider using servo's instead of steppers. They require a different type of drive.

Suggest you consider modifying  the motor mounting instead of picking a motor that fits in a particular housing.

So define what you are going to do with the machine, see what type , size, motors are required for anticipated movements, provide a correct drive for the motorof your choice and make sure the power suply is adequate.

Thus go back to the Gecko site and "STUDY"  all the info there and know before you go.

BTW, 180 Ncm  not  "180 Nmc" is likely the holding torque rating in metric units.
             1 newton centimeter = 1.4161193228 ounce inch


RICH

1974

General Mach Discussion / Re: nema 23, 76mm body, 1/4'' - 6.35mm shafts, 'b' through shafts - now what?

« on: June 09, 2013, 11:58:51 PM »

I suggest that you do some reading on stepper motors for understanding. You will find a lot of good information on
the Gecko site. Below is a link:

http://www.geckodrive.com/

RICH

1975

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog Pad issue...TIME TO UPGRADE

« on: June 09, 2013, 08:02:01 AM »

Any ideas? Or should I just upgrade to GREENBULL CNC from BuildYourCNC.com?

Only you can decide if the above is an upgrade.......

I would suggest you tune the motors. Have a look at the Mach manual.
You can re-configure the keys (see Chapter 5 in the Mach manual) to suit your own preferences.

RICH

1976

General Mach Discussion / Re: lLearning curve a few pictures

« on: June 08, 2013, 06:26:31 AM »

What version of Mach do you have installed as the manual says only tested to V3.042.029?

They have custom screen sets which need to be installed correctly make sure you follow the instructions
provided in the manual.

FROM THEIR MANUAL:
The screen presentation for the BladeRunner is in the form of a custom screen “set”.
The file is stored in the MACH3 Folder and has a .set extension.  It controls what buttons, readouts (DRO’s) and
bitmaps (pictures) are on the screen. The visual look is controlled using custom bitmaps.  Bitmaps used
with CandCNC screens are all stored in a folder located in the Bitmaps Folder (under MACH3) and in a
sub-folder named CandCNC.  With the exception of certain custom objects in a screen there is no setup
information.  Certain operations on the Bladerunner (parameter feedback and DTHC or Spindle Speed
functions) MUST use the associated screen set to operate properly.

BladeRunnerAIO-UBOBIII Install:
1.  Copies two PROFILES (XML’s) to the MAIN MACH Folder
2.  Copies several Screen SET files to the MAIN MACH Folder
3.  Creates a folder under MACH3/Bitmaps named CandCNC
4.  Copies all of the bitmaps for the MACH screens to that folder
5.  Copies the custom drivers (PLUGINS) to the MACH3/Plug-in folder
6.  Opens the MACH3/macros folder and creates a folder for each Mach Profile
added in step 1
7.  Removes default MACH profile links (Icons) from the Desktop
8.  Puts two custom Icons on the Desktop for the BladeRunner Plasma and Router




I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program SEVERAL (8?) times.

Try using the desktop icon made by install and see if the screen loads prperly.




What it DOES:
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO:
Load or install MACH3
Load or install any other software
Setup the MACH3 Profile for your specific table/machine

I cannot load my personalized license

Just copy the license from the CD into the Mach directory.  

RICH

1977

General Mach Discussion / Re: y drifting problem

« on: June 07, 2013, 04:55:06 PM »

It seems to me that errant pulses are being sent to y with each z movement.

Don't know how you came to that conclusion.

Looks like the Z axis is not perpendicular to the table. I can't see the other side of the groove.
I am assuming that your steps per unit are correct and that backlash is not a factor.

RICH
 

1978

General Mach Discussion / Re: struggeling to run a gcode from cambam

« on: June 07, 2013, 09:06:03 AM »

Thanks Russ.

Tom,

You set the machining feedrate in Cambam.

Not sure if you actualy tuned your motors. You need to find out where thay start skipping and then lower
the velocity from  the skipping point to say 30% of where they skip. That will give you some headroom
and you can refine from experience or testing.

RICH

1979

General Mach Discussion / Re: struggeling to run a gcode from cambam

« on: June 07, 2013, 08:30:30 AM »

and the machine is kind of making a sound like the motors want to go but they aren't.

The second line of gode (GO Z0.5 )  is a rapid move at max velocity so think your skipping.
Lower your velocity  and  acceleration to half your curent value and see how it goes.

If it stops when you are requesting a tool change, change you configuration by checking ignore tool change
in general config.

RICH

1980

General Mach Discussion / Re: Still confuse about Mach3

« on: June 04, 2013, 07:05:10 AM »

The pathing created in LC uses the defined tool information from LC. Posted code will call out the tool number used in LC. The tool information in the MACH3 screen  is from  the tool table of  MACH3 if you have that tool defined in the Mach tool table and if not you will only see the tool number.  LC or Mach dosen't know what tool you actualy have in the spindle and you have a few options to deal with that in Mach's configuration. Changing a tool can be automated or manualy done.

Unless you have a tool changer it becomes rather simple in that you should have have the correct tool in the spindle along with the tool touched off correctly and just run the  program.

RICH