Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: northray on August 21, 2008, 11:34:13 AM
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Hi All, I have the most puzzling problem.
I have built two cnc routers I used the same routout controls and the same stepper motors and both machines work fine until I noticed that one of the machines
when cutting circles seems to step around the circle where the other machine cuts with a smooth action.
On trials I did cutting the same size circle.
The machine that cuts in a smooth action cuts 5 times faster using exactly the same settings as the other machine.
Now here is the funny part when I cut a rectangle of the same size the machine that cuts fastest on a circle is now the slowest, not by as much though
I use a PC on the one that cuts a circle with the stepping motion running windows XP the other machine is a laptop running windows 2000
I have switched machines with the computers and the results transfered to the other machine.
So the laptop works fine on both machines
The PC works both machines but with the same result when cutting circles ie slower and with a stepping motion
The only difference I can see is the laptop is running windows 2000 and the PC windows XP and has a lot more computing power than the laptop
Any ideas as to the problem
Thanks
Ray
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Try copying the miil.xml file from the computer with the fast smooth circle too the other computer.
This will copy the good machines setting to the slower and avoid missed check boxes etc.
Don't forget to back up the other one first though.
Steve
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Hi Steve, I will give that a go
Thanks for the reply
Ray
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Sounds like you may be using CV on one and Exact stop on the other, copying the good xml over should do it for you but you can always turn on CV and give it a go before you swap the xml's.
Hood
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Hi Hood,
Thanks for the advice is the cv and exact stop in the config menu if not where is it
Sorry for my ignorance but still getting my head around Mach2/3/4
Thanks again
Ray
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General config page, just about the middle of the page. As a test just type G64 into the MDI line and that will put it in CV mode. G61 puts it in Exact Stop so if your G Code has either a G61 or a G64 it will change you mode no matter what your setting is on the General Config page, that is until the next time you start Mach.
Hood
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Hi Hood, I will try in the morning but I am hopeful that this is the answer
Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on.
Ray
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Hi Hood,
I tried what you said but in gen config it was set to CV as was my laptop.
Tried entering the G64 but it made no difference.
I might try uninstalling mach and then reinstall to see if that works.
Whats your thoughts of this.
My son thinks it might be a problem with the com port settings within the computer but that is way over my head he said he will check this out at the weekend.
So I am still scratching my head on this one
Thanks Ray
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You dont need to uninstall, you can just install again over the top of itself. However it is unlikely that it will help as the settings are stored in the xml and that wont get overwritten in the install. If both machines are identical then try what bowber suggested and use the xml from the other machine and keep a copy of the one that is presently there, just rename it before you copy over the other one.
Hood
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Hi Hood, I have not done what bower suggested as I do not know how to copy the XML
or where to find it.
Can you give me an idiots guide to doing it.
Once again sorry for the ignorance but computers are not my thing.
Thanks ray
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No apologies needed :)
Ok go to the icon you use to start Mach from and right clcik on it and choose properties. Click on find target and Windows should open the correct folder (Mach3 one) and your xml should be highlighted. Right click on the xml and change its name, maybe changing the file extension to old or putting old in front of the name or whatever you want really as long as you change it and remember what you did in case you need to put it back. Next go to the other computer and find the xml by the same method, right click and copy (dont change its name) If the computers are not connected by network you will need to put it onto a USB stick or similar so you can then paste it into the Mach3 folder on the other computer.
Hood
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Hi Hood and Bowber.
My son did as you said and all works fine now.
Many thanks again for all your help.
Ray
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great news :)
Did you save the xml? if so rename it and attach it to the forum and I will see if I can find anything that would be the cause. You have to use the additional options on the full reply page to attach the file.
Hood
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northray,
Happy things are working for you.
I use two different pc's, a lap top 500MHZ and a 3 gig mhz pc and can say that when cutting circles or a shape on the lathe there is a difference in preformance especialy at a transition point or say 0,90,180,270 on the mill.
The faster pc just does the computing that much better. It is not a 10 fold increase but it's very noticible.
RICH
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Hi Hood, I did save it so I will try and post it it would be interesting to find out what the difference was.
Hi Rich, I used the laptop as my first trial and moved on to the PC but as I have built two machines I have kept the laptop to test the second machine.
As you say the PC is faster but I am surprised how well the laptop works.
I am trying to decide which one to keep but both now work very well so I cannot make up my mind, one is slightly bigger at 900mm x 500mm cutting area so I might keep this one.
Thanks again for everyones help great forum
Ray