Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Jim@PC on May 20, 2009, 03:55:38 PM

Title: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Jim@PC on May 20, 2009, 03:55:38 PM
Our company is currently trying to demo your Mach 3 CNC Controller software and we have a few questions I was hoping somebody could help answer for us.

First off, we are using a Vision 2448 Router and were wondering if the Mach 3 software is compatible with this piece of hardware. We are currently controlling the router with a hardware control panel. If your software is compatible with our machine, are there steps on how to directly hardwire the computer to the router and also configure the software to get it operational with the router?

Also, if compatible, is there a way to control the z axis when x and y axis’s are in motion while running a job?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Jim
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Hood on May 20, 2009, 04:26:27 PM
Did a quick google for that router and it seems unlikely that it will be a plug and play conversion. You may be able to do this with a bit of rewiring but that will depend on the drive types, ie if they accept Step/Dir input or if they are analogue.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Jim@PC on May 20, 2009, 04:27:44 PM
Thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be looking a little deeper into this..
Did a quick google for that router and it seems unlikely that it will be a plug and play conversion. You may be able to do this with a bit of rewiring but that will depend on the drive types, ie if they accept Step/Dir input or if they are analogue.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Hood on May 20, 2009, 04:35:41 PM
Are the motors servos or steppers?
Any idea what make of drives?

Hood
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: vmax549 on May 20, 2009, 04:36:10 PM
JIM I don't think Mach3 can do the on the fly adjustment of Z (;-(

Just a thought, (;-) TP
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Chip on May 20, 2009, 04:36:27 PM
Hi, Jim

If the Aries are Step & Direction Type the conversion should be fairly easy.

Mach's Plasma users have Auto Z height Control features, There are several way's to do it.

Gather up more info on your system will help, Others will post I'm sure.

Chip
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Jim@PC on May 20, 2009, 04:52:44 PM
Probably a good question. I think I need to do more research on this. I work in tech support for a fairly large company that specializes in personalized gifts. To be honest, I've never even used this type of machine before. Management wants to try this program out, and I'm starting from scratch. Most these terms are a foreign language for me, but I apreciate the input and will reference this thread as I learn.
Are the motors servos or steppers?
Any idea what make of drives?

Hood
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Jim@PC on May 20, 2009, 04:58:04 PM
The real reason we want to try this software is to see if it can not only change the x and y axis position when doing a job, but also change the z axis. Not on the fly or manually, but as part of a job.
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: vmax549 on May 20, 2009, 05:17:13 PM
I would be interested in the Z on the fly adjustments as well.  Any info I can read up on?

THanks (;-) TP
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Hood on May 20, 2009, 05:19:59 PM
TP there was a longish post here a while back concerning this, not sure if anyone got it to work properly or not, will see if I can dig it up and post a link.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: Hood on May 20, 2009, 05:43:28 PM
Here you go TP,
Quote
Go to config ports and pins input signals  in input signals stroll the to  THC UP and THC down  enable both enable Emulated then set a hotkey for up and down this will control your up and down with the keyboard hit apply and go to Mill Options check mark Allow THC UP/DOWN Control even if not in THC mode
Title: Re: Mach 3 compatibility questiion.
Post by: vmax549 on May 20, 2009, 08:58:01 PM
HIYA HOOD, Tried that but did not see where it affected the z position but I did not try it on a machine.

BUT that is not going to be effctive IF we cannot "control" the amount it moves up or down . When engraving moves of .001" are required to keep the engraved lines looking crisp.

SOmething along the lines of INC STEP jogging or an analog control will be needed. I THINK(;-)

The engraver he is talking about is an HPGL system that take the HPGL printer output direct from a GRAPHICS program and uses it to drive the engraver controller in realtime. SO those type adjustments xyz on the fly could be done in a realtime senario.

(;-) TP