Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: doug@grovehill.biz on September 12, 2023, 08:11:52 AM
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Hi All
My name is Doug and I have been building my own version of a gantry CNC machine and am quite proud of the results but I am stuck and up against a deadline. I am currently using Mach4 with PoKeys 57CNC controller and drivers. I have created a pretty simple 2d sign in Vectric Vcarve Pro. Everything works fine. Gcode looks OK to me but when I try and cut the file it runs fine for a while then at some point. Not always the same place. After a pass the Z will rise to safe height move to new position but then plunges to deep and usually breaks the bit. I have previously run much bigger files without this problem. After many attempts and much reading I decided to try using Mach3 instead of Mach4. So I bought a mach3 license but when I start M3 it says EStop button pressed even though nether the independent Estop or the Estop on the PoKeys pendent are not tripped. So now I can't get M3 or M4 to work and I don't know now whether to try and find some fix for my original problem or keep trying to get M3 to work? Very frustrated and since I built the machine myself I don't have a manufacturer to pester. Plus I am under a time crunch to get this file cut. I feel like the Gcode is ok. I was very careful to use shielded cables and ground the shielding. I tried to use all the best methods to keep out extraneous signals but this is the feel I get since the problems happens in random places. I guess I am asking if anyone can suggest a direction or recommendation or even if I should focus on Mach 3 or Mach 4? Seems like using the most current software would make sense but have read some reviews that Mach 3 is more stable than Mach 4? Any thoughts or help appreciated. I have attached the Gcode file for anyone's inspection.
Thanks
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With regard to the Mach3 EStop...
In Config. / Ports & Pins / Input Signals - scroll down to EStop and change the Active Low state. Apply the change.
Tweakie.
note...
Overall Mach4 is the best option but 'hey-ho' whatever works best for you is the way to go.