Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: LAMEIII on December 30, 2010, 09:52:00 PM

Title: Newbie looking for guidance
Post by: LAMEIII on December 30, 2010, 09:52:00 PM
I'm a retired hobbyist who is on the verge of purchasing my first CNC Router. I've been doing a lot of reading on forums about the operation and software programs and have 2 questions that I'm looking for some guidance. I'm planning to buy an entry level machine with a 24 X 24 working area.
1 If I want to make a sign that is 30" long is it possible to pause the machine at a  pre-programmed point to reposition the wood?
2 I may be using a Bosch Colt router which seems to have an overheating problem. Can the software be programmed to allow a pause of sufficent time to allow it to cool down?

Lameiii
Title: Re: Newbie looking for guidance
Post by: Hood on December 31, 2010, 04:18:18 AM
Yes and yes.
I have done the offsetting many times when making name boards for fishing boats. I just made up my code as two programmes and when one half was finished I repositioned and reset the DROs and loaded the next code and off it went.

For your pause, you could do several things, the easiest would be to place a M1 in the code where you were needing the pause then when you were ready pressing Start would set it on its way again. If just wanting a pause with a set time you would have a G4P* in your code, the * would be the time in seconds you wanted to pause for. The last option would just be to do a feed hold and then press start when ready. The last one however may not be the best option as you would have to pick your moment to do that so that the cutter was not in the work at the time.
Hood
Title: Re: Newbie looking for guidance
Post by: ger21 on December 31, 2010, 06:28:03 AM
Two options with the Colt. Get a variable speed model, as you'll rarely need 30,000 rpm, and it'll run cooler and quieter at it's lower speed settings.
I do most of my wood cutting at 10,000-15,000 rpm.
Option2, is to get a fixed speed Colt, and get a SuperPID to control the speed.This get's you more efficiiency, which equals cooler running. Speeds as low as 5000 rpm, which allows the use of small drill bits, and full On/Off and RPM control from within Mach3.

www.superpid.com