Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Steps Per Inch

« on: February 27, 2007, 07:27:08 AM »

Hello,

My current cnc machine has a direct drive  20 degree tooth pinion and 20 degree rack setup.

My current stepper motors are 640 oz 1.8 degree 200 steps per inch.

So when I calibrate steps per inch in the settings page I wind up with somewhere around 639 steps per inch.

My machine cuts fine but the low resolution shows on circles and any radius I cut.

Is there anyway in Mach3 to increase the resolution (steps, a multiplier) or is the only solution mechanically such as a gear box or geared motor.

Thank you,
Tom

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cabin Fever

« on: February 04, 2007, 11:49:42 AM »

Sam,

1) With all the extra weight from the angle iron, new z axis and larger motors, and  except for lowering the z into the spoil board I have not seen a need for the hold downs. Even though I do plan to do something in that area in the near future.

2) The ballscrew I got off of ebay came with no documentation, I just hooked it up and it worked. There are 5 threads per inch and I don't know how to determine pitch, but it takes a little over 4000 steps per unit in Mach3.

3) And yes it is 1:1 ratio belt drive

4) The quality and price of the steppers is excellent, but in my case if I had to do it again lacking gearboxes, for a little more money purchase a geared motor.

5) Yes the 1 1/2 inch angle iron stiffen the frame alot and I was able to use the original wheels over.

The whole conversion process took about four days to complete, as I also need my machine up and running quickly.

I basically did only as mush as I had to get the increase performance from my Ascension upgrade, this was just a learning process.

By the way thank you for your great pictures, I am in the process of designing my next machine and just might play with that option.

Again anyway I can help just ask, if you want to talk one on one send me your phone # (I have one of those local call anywhere lines) and we can talk.

Tom

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cabin Fever

« on: February 03, 2007, 10:17:06 AM »

Sam,

Follow this link for the latest pictures of my cnc upgrade    http://www.accurate-inspections.com/pr cnc upgrade/


I would love to see some pictures of your original 3.6:1 belt reductions units.

I have only heard of these as mine was cable driven.

Fell free to ask for more pictures or info if needed and I will post them to my site.

I am currently working on a blog site with my component info and pricing, but I am having problems posting pictures.

I will post the link when it is working.
Tom

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cabin Fever

« on: February 02, 2007, 08:35:03 AM »

Sam,

Thank you very much for this information, I will also do some research into this upgrade path and post if I come up with anything that will help.

How is your conversion coming, if I remember you are converting an older Shopbot Pr correct?

The only thing left from the my original machine after my upgrade is some of the uni-struts, the only regret I have is that I didn't go with a geared motor.

My machine is much faster and more powerful now, and much more dependable due to using Mach3 but but my resolution is poor due to the direct drive( 20 tooth pinion 20 degree Racks).

So depending on what you want to produce on your machine keep this in mind.

If I do the encoder upgrade I will need new double shaft motors so I will go with a geared one at that time.

Tom

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cabin Fever

« on: January 31, 2007, 08:41:02 AM »

Hello Brian,

Unfortunately I was unable to attend and meet you at the Cabin Fever Expo, but I am very interested in the system that you were demoing there.

I would like to incorporate the feedback system you are using into m y current cnc setup.
Would you be willing to share your stepper motor and encoder information ( model, size, supplier, etc:)?

I have already contacted Ron at Rogers Machine and his boards are compatible with my existing system.
I just need to get new double shaft steppers and the proper encoders to make it work.

Thank you,
Tom

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cabin Fever

« on: January 12, 2007, 04:54:47 PM »

Hello Sam,

I just did a major overhaul to my cable driven 1997 ShopBot PR, the only thing left from the original machine is the uni-strut frame.
My new controller the Ascension 1000 from Custom-CNC uses Mach3 software and I would never turn back.
If you have any questions about my build please fell free to ask away.

Hello Brian,

I hope to make it to the show if business allows it,(it's about a two hour drive )and look forward to meeting you.

Tom

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edge Probing

« on: December 16, 2006, 08:30:57 AM »

Scott,

There is a edge probing file that came with the Shopbot(if I can find it) could you convert that to G-code?
Hardware, mechanical and assembly are my strengths not programing.

Tom

8

General Mach Discussion / Edge Probing

« on: December 15, 2006, 03:42:56 PM »

Hello,

I have now gotten my probe connected and working.
and would like to do some edge(profile) probing with Mach3.
Is there a macro or wizard available for this function.

Thanks,
Tom

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: New PlugIn just about done..

« on: September 07, 2006, 06:56:30 PM »

Hello,

Just installed the Shuttle Pro 2 plugin and it works like a charm, luv Mach3.

Thanks,
Tom

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: New PlugIn just about done..

« on: September 06, 2006, 06:37:34 PM »

"Goto downloads and then FTP then Mach3 it is shuttlepro.dll

Copy it to the plugin folder under mach3

open mach3 and goto config tab then to config plugins and activate it.  Click on right box to configure."


Thanks,
Tom