Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: LostInTranslation on September 15, 2014, 03:31:42 PM

Title: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: LostInTranslation on September 15, 2014, 03:31:42 PM
Well, i come to you guys as i need help.

Bought a cheapo (well relatively) 3040 cnc router and installed all the mach 3 software and then spent three days banging my head against a brick wall trying to get ANYTHING to work.

Yes, i am a newbie and probably need all the help i can get with setting up this damned machine, so if anyone fancies a huge challenge, then pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeee HELP !!!

Dan
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 15, 2014, 07:26:21 PM
i may be able to help what are your problems
Mike Irvin
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Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: ZASto on September 16, 2014, 02:44:44 AM
Have you read the Mach3 manual?
I would start from there :)
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: dude1 on September 16, 2014, 04:08:04 AM
give more info on the machine set up speeds and feeds you have set it to.
list what you have tried
have you conformed the computer is connecting to the bob.
what is the bob make model what ever, stepper size , what make are the stepper controllers, is the power supply working.
and have you read the manual.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 01:18:05 PM
Need Help as well!!  Starting to use my home built cnc, and not sure if my steps per are calculated correctly.  I am using xylotex 4 Axis 36V 3.5A Drive Box with Four 425 oz.in. Stepper motors with mach 3 on windows xp.  1/2 - 10 5 start lead screws .    MY problems is drawing in vcarve pro, I draw a 24" diameter circle and mach 3 cuts a 12" circle. What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 16, 2014, 01:29:59 PM
set  v carve material setup make sure material is 24 x 24 or larger make sure datum position is set  to  x0 y0  NOT center  make sure  "use offset" is unchecked
Mike Irvin
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 01:41:33 PM
Have been doing that and getting the same result every time.  Everything is scaled to 1/2 the size I draw.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 16, 2014, 01:47:13 PM
Is mach3 set to 1.000 on all the scales
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 01:52:40 PM
Where would I look?
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 02:00:36 PM
Sorry really new to this. So far this is my only problem.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 02:14:32 PM
Found the scale and it set @ 1.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: LostInTranslation on September 16, 2014, 02:16:16 PM
Hi all,

Ok, first of all, yes i read the manual (very badly translated chinese !!) and followed the instructions to the letter.

Mike, thanks for the offer of help.  I have a 3040Z router and engraving machine from China (yes, i know ..... bad move maybe, but funds are slightly limited) So far, I have installed the mach 3 software from to link provided to me from the supplier. Opened the "mach 3 mill" screens (as indicated). Turned it all on and hit the tab button (as instructed) to reveal a sub screen which should allow me to manually engage the motors (just to see if the thing worked). I got nothing !!!!! The screen comes alight with the x and y axis showing that my machine should be moving around, but machine stays quiet as a mouse (apart from the cooling fan !!)
But
When i open the "mach 3 turning" screen, i got an operational z axis and nothing else.
The installation sheet indicates a 3040Z/6040Z mach 3 software requirement.

Been away from CNC machines for a few years (prevously a Bridgeport cnc mill setter in a past life !!) But thought i would give this a go as a bit of a hobby which is why a may sound a little "green" at this.

Had another session at banging my head into a wall this evening trying different sorts of things but still get all of the above.

Looking forward to any help and advice offered.

Dan
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 16, 2014, 02:21:08 PM
I think you problem is with v carve settings i am not up on v carve as i use sharp cam and turbo cad i will get a friend who is good with it to try and get you an answer





Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 02:22:30 PM
Thanks Mike
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 16, 2014, 02:31:37 PM
LostInTranslation  did you get the message i sent you about calling me
Mike Irvin
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 02:50:32 PM
No, But I can call.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Craigerp71 on September 16, 2014, 02:58:20 PM
@ Mike; Sorry realized that wasn't for me.
Title: Re: Heeeeeeeelllllpppp
Post by: Mike Irvin on September 16, 2014, 04:11:09 PM
Send me the v carve drawing file for the circle you are trying to cut  i will forward it to my friend and he will look at it
Mike Irvin