Messages

751

General Mach Discussion / Re: Moving mach3 to another PC

« on: February 10, 2017, 10:43:23 AM »

The best way is to do a fresh install of Mach3 on the new machine first, run the tests to ensure it is running correctly if using parallel port.

Next you copy the old Mach3 folder and just paste over the new install, replace your desktop shortcuts and that is usually all thats needed for a parallel port setup.

752

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setup Mach3, my stepper motor howls but does not run

« on: February 10, 2017, 08:36:31 AM »

Is it any motor or all motors?

Sometimes when steppers howl, they are being told to move too fast or with too much acceleration - try reducing these to start with.

Also check pulse width in motor tuning, try 5us

753

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone heard from Hood lately?

« on: February 10, 2017, 06:07:13 AM »

I have seen his posts over on the Mig welding UK forum very recently, i think he was busy with work.

754

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 ruining parts

« on: February 08, 2017, 03:27:58 AM »

Oliver - sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there will be NO future updates of Mach3, it is now legacy software and being replaced by Mach4 at some stage.

No bug fixes, no changes, it is what it is i'm afraid.

Mostly it works just fine as long as you accept its little quirks and foibles

755

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling a chip blower

« on: February 07, 2017, 04:08:59 PM »

Yeah i saw the cheaper open units, either way will do it i reckon, nice and easy

756

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling a chip blower

« on: February 07, 2017, 12:35:50 PM »

easiest option from my view would be to buy a little dual off-on cyclic timer module, probably £20 or so - set the periods for what you desire then control it from the coolant output on the machine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GIC-1CMDT0-TIMER-ANALOGUE-SPCO-MULTI-FUNCTION-12-240-Vac-dc-/112028479315?hash=item1a156aef53:g:dLMAAOSw2XFUadoI

757

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 ruining parts

« on: February 07, 2017, 10:33:23 AM »

I seriously doubt it is the fault of Mach3, what version are you running??

Unless specified by your THC maker (mine is) i would run 062 version for a start.

Why does it fail repeatedly? My plasma will ruin maybe one part in 50 or so - this is probably a months work for me as i don't use it every day, most of the time i can rescue the part by starting with the THC/Torch off, run the part and when i get near the fail i just flip the torch on and away we go, i did say most of the time 

There are other ways but now i generally cut my losses, move the part for best fit in CAD and start over.

I have no idea why it would always jump to line 13?

758

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pause and re-start not working correctly

« on: February 07, 2017, 09:27:20 AM »

062 seems to be the "go to" version for Mach3

759

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pause and re-start not working correctly

« on: February 07, 2017, 09:05:16 AM »

The only time i have managed to get this to work is to press Feed-Hold then when the motion stops I press stop, to get going again i used Run From Here iIIRC

I hate doing it though and really try not to.

760

General Mach Discussion / Re: Proma thc cnc plasma work only in test mode

« on: February 07, 2017, 09:03:09 AM »

In Setup - motor tuning - mill options, is Allow THC movement even if not in THC mode  checked? It should be unchecked.