Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Jackal on July 13, 2010, 09:00:19 PM
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I've been looking at the Ajax control system for $1199. http://www.ajaxcnc.com/mach_cnc_systems.htm (http://www.ajaxcnc.com/mach_cnc_systems.htm) Is anyone here using this or have any comments? I have a Hurco KM3P that I am wanting to retrofit. It would probably take a long time to piece together something with components from different suppliers, so my thought is to get it all from one place. It might make troubleshooting easier.
Let me know the good or bad of this system. I know that this is a Mach board, but let me know if the CNC11 Centroid would be a better choice.
Thanks,
Jackal
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It is a proprietary system with very little suport. A piece together system with Mach suport would be less frustrating.
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Thanks Captain,
I thought maybe the Ajax would be easier & quicker. After further checking, there is very little support. Plus, when you figure out which system you need they change it, or the price and that throws you off.
I was wanting the Dc10 & 303b ( < I think????????) set-up. It was $1199.00 & after waiting a few weeks it goes up to $1495.00.
While getting ready to order it, they tell me now the All-in-one had replaced it, but it is still available for a higher price. Then, after asking about the all-in-one, they don't have the manual out yet???????
Those Whale drives by DuGong look like the way for me. Using CNC4PC boards with the RJ45 connectors, they connect with plain CAT 6 cables. A simple plug-in. You can also tune the drives from a separate computer ( laptop).
Thanks for the info,
JAckal
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If the Ajax was plug and play it would be very good. It turned out to be very difficult to get running. Others products are documented very well, and there is lots of support.
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I installed the DC3IO kit running Mach a few months back. As stated customer support is non existent besides their forum. With that being said, most of my install problems were not that bad and most of them were from not understanding the instructions completely or just doing something stupid. I had it up and running within a week and fine tuned it within 2 weeks. I have been using it almost daily in production with no issues.
I think it is a well built unit however the heads in charge really need to get one set of instructions (as there are many and they are different) and at least give a few minutes of phone support to new buyers. I couldn’t get them to answer or return any calls once the purchase was made and I found that insulting as well as a horrible customer service policy. I will say almost all the answers I needed were on the forum if I searched around enough.
Bottom line is, I like the system but not the way they run the business. If I treated my customers like that I would be living in a cardboard box.
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Do you have a probe or MPG hooked up on your Ajax? I need help with mine.
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I will definitely go with something else. You hear to many complaints about no contact or tech help. The only tech help, is what the other members and users on the forum are willing to do.
JAckal
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If you do go with ajax, I would be happy to help you get it going.
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Thanks Capt,
I appreciate the offer.
Jackal
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Captain, yes I need help
I purchased the allinone from Ajax to run with Mach3, & mach says I need to set spindle bits in"machajax.xml"
I have 1 sevo hooked up & when giving it a 1. move the motor turns the give me an encoder error.
I hit reset then it says need to set spindle bits.
thanks, Dave
If you do go with ajax, I would be happy to help you get it going.
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Check in the Ajax config. Both high and low spindle bits should be set to 0-auto detect. Also in config you can change the "stop encoder error" from 1 to 0 to let the machine run with the error while you get it dialed in, just be careful they don't run away on you and don't forget to change it back when your done.
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Thanks, BW, - spindles are at "o" but will not let me a "1" in the encoder area
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You need to change it from 1 to 0 on the encoder to disable it. If you are unable to do so, something else may be wrong. Aslo turn your encoder by hand and see if it gives you the same fault.
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my servo is on the bench, btw, I am trying to use an old servo off a bp mill & the critter has wiring for a tach and brake, do these need to be hooked up?
when I reset mach3 and give it any move amount it spins about 2 revs & get (axis x position error) then reset then I get (you must setup spindle bits in machajax.xml).
I am runnig a 12 volt bat until my power supply gets here, could this be the problem?
Dave
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Not sure what motors you have but I do know you don't need the tach or the brake. I would wait until you get your power supply before testing any further. Also if you wired up your encoder cables yourself double check them, I crossed one wire when I did mine and got errors.
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Your brake may be causing issues if you do not have it energised as likely it will be on and thus not allowing the motor to rotate properly.
Hood
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Hood
the spindle turns very freely.
Thanks
Dave
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The brakes on motors are normally spring loaded so you have to supply voltage to take the brake off, if yours is spinning freely then sounds like it may be the opposite but that would be unusual.
Just mentioned in case it was your issue, afraid I know nothing about the Ajax so cant help there :(
Hood