Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Mainer on February 06, 2009, 12:33:35 PM

Title: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Mainer on February 06, 2009, 12:33:35 PM: I'm collecting suggestions for the content of a new Mach3 User's Guide. What information would you like to have included?

One thing it is NOT going to be is a "how to write GCode" tutorial. There are already any number of those, better than I could do. But, assuming you have worked your way through the Mach3 Installation/Configuration Guide and your machine is set up and ready to go, ...what do you want to know about actually using Mach3?

All suggestions appreciated, with no guarantee I'll use any of them, but I do want your ideas.

Thanks!
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Kerry Harrison on February 08, 2009, 12:06:56 AM: How about a section on the tool table including how to set up tool offsets and run a tool turret.

Can't wait to see a new manual. It sounds like a huge project but sure will be great to have.

Thanks,
Kerry
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Mainer on February 08, 2009, 02:20:46 PM: Thanks Kerry. The tool table and tool changing are certainly likely topics.

How about all you other guys? Please share your thoughts.
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Chaoticone on February 08, 2009, 06:32:06 PM: How about screen shots of all the pages with highlighted areas containing links to a definition of what it does and other settings it may effect. Kind of a quick reference.
Also, one thing I would think would be really helpful would be the default screen sets with the buttons having a label telling their hot key and oem number.

Good Luck! Looking forward to seeing it.
Brett
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: RICH on February 08, 2009, 10:28:05 PM: A reference section which provides links relative to a specific topic for additional information?

I second what Brett said about different settings and what it can affect. ( it could be like a chart
/ spread sheet settings across the top and side and an x showing what it affects)

Maybe a good way to see what is required is to scan the posts and look for common postings.

RICH
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: HimyKabibble on February 08, 2009, 10:46:14 PM: I think a really good starting point would be explanations of the eight billion configuration settings. There are many things under the setup menus that I have no clue what they are, or what they do.

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: ostie01 on February 08, 2009, 11:17:25 PM: Would like to see a very detailled section about rotary axis Set-up

Also some more explanation about different boards you can add to Mach3, like Pokey or any other board.

Maybe some basic Vb macro, something we could start with and modify for our own need. (tool change, tool measurement)

Just my idea.
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: fer_mayrl on February 09, 2009, 01:05:38 AM: I guess a good topic to include is coordinate systems and fixtures (G54, G55... etc...)

Best Regards
Fernando
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Mainer on February 09, 2009, 02:55:11 PM: HimyKabibble, the new install/config guide describes a bunch of the config setting, though maybe not the full eight billion. ;D

Thanks to all for your thoughts so far.
Keep 'em coming...
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: N4NV on February 09, 2009, 10:54:04 PM: Quote from: HimyKabibble on February 08, 2009, 10:46:14 PM
I think a really good starting point would be explanations of the eight billion configuration settings. There are many things under the setup menus that I have no clue what they are, or what they do.

Regards,
Ray L.

That's what I would want, and not just the obvious like "shuttle accel" sets the shuttle acceleration. What exactly does it effect, what are the range of values to use and how changing those values affect mach.

Vince
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: RICH on February 10, 2009, 06:49:36 AM: Mainer,
Thought you would have recieved more replies than you have so far. In that thought, and thinking about your
task, here is an idea. Why not have the members do a review of the manual ? Seperate pull down by page pull down manual review. Post a shot of a pull down or section of it and simply ask......what is not clear in the manual relative to this page or part of the page. This way you would get a full review by the users and know any problem area.
Yes, it would take time, maybe a few months, but then, it certainly would be complete.
Just a thought,
RICH
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: edvaness on February 12, 2009, 01:24:12 PM: To put out a manuel , explaining all the HOW TO'S , that can be done in Mach. would have to be a a book set,
Called "MACH ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR DUMMIES" for people like me. Mach has more capabilities than most cnc machine software.
Most production cnc machines come with a BIG box of books. So, I'd say you have a big job on your hands, and wish you lots of Luck.
And someone will always Question , why isn't it in the book. >:(
Again , I say, Best of Luck. And , I admire you for taking on this project.

Ed
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: N4NV on February 12, 2009, 01:51:24 PM: Oh and don't forget MachTurn, especially all those settings in the wizards.

Vince
Title: An easy one- a page to write down config settings
Post by: Waynec on February 18, 2009, 07:35:48 PM: I like the ideas I've seen here, and I also think the existing manual is decent considering the complexity and versatility of the software. But I can think on one easy thing-

Add a page or two with spaces to note key settings for your current configuration. Port and pin settings per axis, spindle settings, etc.

I know that you are supposed to back up your set/xml files, and most of us do. But if you just want to verify what a particular setting is supposed to be when you are monkeying with various settings, a written reference page would be a great idea.

Wayne C
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Chaoticone on February 18, 2009, 08:13:35 PM: Good idea Wayne. I like to add to it. Maybe just screen shots where you fill in the blanks?

Brett
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: fer_mayrl on February 19, 2009, 12:31:11 AM: Im thinking it might be a good idea to have a section with a tutorial on using mach3, for operators.
On how to operate a machine controlled by mach, not setting it up, but actually runing it.

BEst regards
Fernando
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Mainer on February 19, 2009, 05:24:52 PM: The intent is indeed for this to be an "operator's guide." In theory at least I covered the setup information in the new install/config guide that came out a couple of months ago.... ;D

Waynec: Section 5.8 of the new install/config guide has blank tables for documenting your setup. Is that what you're looking for?

Keep the comments and suggestions coming!
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: jrlandau on August 17, 2012, 02:21:48 AM: Was this new Mach3 users guide ever produced? The present one seems to date from 2006
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: Mainer on August 17, 2012, 07:52:28 AM: Not by me, unfortunately. After I finished the Install/Config guide I started work on a UG, but had to quit because of advancing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. I don't know if anything else is in the works. I'm sure Brian would like to find a writer to do a new UG, but it's hard to find a person who:

1. Understands machining practices
2. Knows (or is capable of learning) Mach3
3. Can write from the point of view of a user
4. Is capable of dealing with the production of a multi-chapter document hundreds of pages long.

If you know anybody, drop Brian a line.
Title: Re: What would you like to see in a new Mach3 User's Guide?
Post by: JohnHaine on August 21, 2012, 08:23:20 AM: Why not make it a Twiki? Then users can contribute as they solve problems...