Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: fp5757 on July 08, 2009, 10:52:12 PM

Title: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 08, 2009, 10:52:12 PM
Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3 The motor tuning screen does not pop up when trying to access from menu bar config, motor tuning, what is the problem, does anyone know?

I am using the following stepping motors for my 3 axis CNC machine:

#23-305-DS8A 425oz-in bipolar rating, 305oz-unipolar rating,
4.2v, 3A, 200 S/R, 3.2mH, Size #23, Dual Shaft.


I need to calculate few things for the Mach 3 on the motor tunning screen:

The number of steps per revolution, which if correct is 200
*The step resolution of the motor drive, full step, half step, 5, 10, etc., micro
steps


*The reduction ration between the motor shaft and lead screw.
The thread pitch of the screw which is 18TPI.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Chip on July 09, 2009, 01:21:58 AM
Hi, Fp5757

Re-Install Mach3 and try it again, You may need to download it again, This happens every now and then.

Chip
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Jeff_Birt on July 09, 2009, 09:39:57 AM
I would suggest reinstalling with the NEW LOCKDOWN version of Mach. It is 3.042.020 or something like that. So point in beating yourself up trying to get an old version to work.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 09, 2009, 10:47:39 PM
Thanks Chip, thanks Jeff I will install the new version ASAP.  

But idea that you have to install Mach 3 in default directory in order for all the software to work properly is disturbing and perhaps a oversight, sounds like a software engineering mistake that a beginner would make by hard coding the Mach 3 directory to C:\Mach3, absolute path is never used and that is coming from a software engineer with over 30 years experience in software development. I just hope that little oversight has been fixed in the latest version. Do either of you know what language Mach 3 was developed in, C, C++, visual basic, etc.?

 :)
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Chip on July 10, 2009, 12:42:30 AM
Hi, Fp5757

For the most part Mach3 is happy where ever you install it, The default location is C:\Mach3, Over the year's I've had this issue maybe 3 time's in many many many installs. There is a major rewrite that Brian is doing that should be out soon "Mach3 ver. 4".

I'm sure someone will comment as to the language it uses soon.

Chip
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 10, 2009, 01:09:55 AM
Thanks Chip for all the information, I really appreciate it...I am also looking forward to the new version.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Jeff_Birt on July 10, 2009, 10:08:51 AM
It does not really matter where you install Mach. I think they have stuck with the root directory as there are many occasions where the user might need to poke around the Mach directory and going to C:/program Files/... would be more work. While I don't like stuffing a bunch of stuff in my root directory I do keep Mach there as it makes it much easier to communicate with folks who are not as computer savvy about where certain files are.

As far as language, Mach is written in unmanaged C++. There are some guys who have been successful in writing plug-ins in managed code though.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 10, 2009, 12:30:45 PM
Thanks for the information Jeff, once I get my CNC router working like I expected to work then I will have time to contribute in a constructive way, and add more value to the product and the hobby CNC community,I was already looking at macros and plug-ins, but no documentation on either.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Jeff_Birt on July 10, 2009, 01:34:23 PM
Look in the plug-ins and SDK section of the forum. There is a good tutorial there on plug-ins. Also the Wiki has a lot of good info.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 13, 2009, 01:04:49 AM
I got a chance and installed new Mach 3 and LazyCam, and the motor tuning screen pop right up, need to do some calculations and finish up the fine tuning. I did have an issue, I tried to uninstall the older version of Mach 3 but no uninstall, and could not use add remove programs, so I had to just delete the old directory, but if you use regedit you will find remnants of old version of Mach 3...
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: Hood on July 13, 2009, 02:48:07 AM
Mach doesnt write to the registry as far as I am aware so the onl;y remnants in the registry will be Windows own tracking of Mach. To uninstall Mach all you do is delete the directory.
Hood
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: jimpinder on July 13, 2009, 02:52:19 AM
To get back to the rest of your post - yes, the motors will probably be 200 steps per rev. I would use the drives set to 10 microsteps - which will give 2000 steps per rev.

You seem to be saying that the thread pitch is 18 teeth per inch. This seems an odd figure. My old Acme was 10 revs per inch, my new ball screws are, of course metric at 5mm per rev.

If your pitch is 18 per inch, then your steps per inch work out at 36000. Should be OK for some nice accurate work.
Title: Re: Need help Mach 3 Version R2.63 on MW XP HOME w/SP3
Post by: fp5757 on July 15, 2009, 12:14:00 AM
Thanks Jim, got my CNC working this weekend, on the new and the old version of Mach 3, just wanted to make sure that it works on all versions, including an air cut, which work flawlessly, I love this hobby, can't wait to cut some interesting patterns, next is getting some cutting bits for my router.

I am thinking of remaking this same setup but with 4 axis or with the gantry that will rotate 180 degrees, Hobby CNC 4 axis Pro board and a table that could be tilted which would allow me to cut 360 degrees, I have an idea we shell see if it is doable.