Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: 96dodgeviper on August 07, 2013, 07:40:55 PM

Title: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 07, 2013, 07:40:55 PM

No matter what I do, I can't get the CNC machine to carve larger then 1/2" by 1/2".
I even tried the samples that came with PhotoVCarve and also Mach 3.
I sent the file to the company that makes the PhotovCarve, and they said it is fine,
that it must be some settings in my Mach 3.  Any information would be greatly
appreciated.

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: woodspinner on August 07, 2013, 07:55:38 PM

is photovcarve in inches and mach in mm?

Just a thought.

John

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 08, 2013, 11:10:20 AM

Both are in inches...good thought...I wish that were the problem.  Thanks

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: woodspinner on August 08, 2013, 11:52:16 AM

I'll give it one more shot, if I remember correctly from my use of the trial version, first you load the image, second you define the material size, make sure the image size is set to something larger without a leading decimal point?

John

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 20, 2013, 01:55:10 PM

I double checked that I was using 15   x    12.9  inches.....and made sure the decimal point was not leading.  Still carving about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.
Seems like I'm so close...but yet so far from finally figuring it out.
Thanks for trying.
Darrin

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: Picengraver on August 20, 2013, 02:04:59 PM

Are you sure that your Steps Per in Mach3 are set correctly?   Sounds like they may not be.
John Champlain

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 20, 2013, 02:08:45 PM

Sorry...new to all this.  Where would I check to see if my "steps Per" are correct?

On a side note...I tried moving my "X" motor manually...to 18....and it only moved about 3/4 of an inch.

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: Picengraver on August 20, 2013, 02:34:55 PM

In the menu - Config > Motor Tuning.  The formula to use to calculate the Steps Per is:

Steps per motor revolution X turns per inch of lead screw X microstep setting of the stepper motor drivers.
EX: 200 x 10 x 8 = 16,000 Steps Per.

John Champlain

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 20, 2013, 03:21:18 PM

That is probably my problem.  I went through the manual that came with the cnc machine...it tells me to choose between Inches and MM...I chose inches.
But when it comes to the "Steps Per" it only gives one set of numbers...which are probably in MM (came from China....which they tricked me..said it was "USA"..from CA).
So, I'm going to go onto the Company that makes Mach 3 and see if their manual gives me the settings I need to Tune the motor in Inches.
Thanks so much for your help...I would have never guessed that.
Darrin

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: woodspinner on August 20, 2013, 04:16:59 PM

You could try multiplying your existing numbers by 25.4 to account for the conversion, at least it may get you inthe ball park

John

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: alenz on August 21, 2013, 12:43:03 AM

You may find this stepper calculator helpful.      http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.msg110286.html#msg110286
al

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: jimthefish on August 21, 2013, 05:02:44 AM

Have a look at your program and make sure there is a G20 (Imperial in the first line). Someone once gave me a program for model loco cranks and I had the same problem (cutting small). I put a G20 in the first line of his program and it cut the correct size. So if there is no G20 in the program put on in and see if that cures the problem. Just a thought! Jim

Title: Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help
Post by: 96dodgeviper on August 21, 2013, 06:46:30 PM

John....I multiplied by 25.4 and it seems to be pretty close...good enough.  Thanks so much.
Now just work out a few minor issues and I should be all set.  Thanks so much.

Thanks Al and Jim for your inputs also.