Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Subroutine calls not working

« on: July 06, 2012, 03:28:47 PM »

Would it be possible to load a file such as a name plate using the same tool for all toolpath's and then edit the gcode to stop and change the tool at a specific point and if so how would I do this? Are there any other software programs that would do this for me. Thanks to all on this forum it is definately a great resource for begginers.


 THANKS,
 Craig

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Subroutine calls not working

« on: July 06, 2012, 03:09:22 PM »

Thanks Andrew,
 Basicly I am trying to figure out how to make a sign or nameplate or any part that uses different tools for profiling,pocketing, drilling etc and load it at the same time into mach3. Vectric 2.5 D doesn't allow this. I have to make a different file for each toolpath that uses a different tool. If I use the same tool for all those operations , I can just save to Mach and run the part.  I am not sure what or where the subroutine feature is located in Mach. I was hoping to be able to load  the program with all toolpaths and be able to stop and change the tool as needed. Thanks again for any and all help. Are you a pilot? I see Piper 2010 as your screen name !
 
 Thanks,
 Craig

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Subroutine calls not working

« on: July 05, 2012, 08:23:01 PM »

I am new to the cnc world. I have built one out of mdf and 720 oz stepper motors using 1/2 10 ACME LEAD SCREWS.  Gecko drivers 203 and porter cable routers. I got my motors turning and I have had limited success using sheet cam. I recently got vectric 2 1/2 d and it works great. I finally feel like I am making real progress.
 The problem I am now having is when I make something like a sign using different tools I have to make 3 seperate files. when I use the same tool for all process's it works great. I don't really understand the post's above about writing in macro's , Their must be an easier way.

4

Share Your GCode / Re: Free DXF file art disk download

« on: May 11, 2010, 12:18:17 PM »

   I am using delta cad as my cad program and sheetcam for my cam program. I downloaded some free dxf files and they open in my cad and cam program many times bigger than my material. I can change the size in my cad program. When I save it as a dxf file and open it in my cad program it is still the same size as it was before I made the change....Any help would be greatly appreciated...

   Thanks,
  Craig

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Big steppers don't work

« on: April 07, 2010, 11:08:30 AM »

HELLO,
  MY QUESTION IS ABOUT MICRO STEPPING. IS MICROSTEPPING A FUNCTION CONTROLED BY MACH, THE BREAKOUT BOARD, THE MOTOR, OR SOMETHING ELSE?  I AM BUILDING A CNC ROUTER , ( A PROTOTYPE TO LEARN BEFORE BUILDING THE BIG MONSTER),  I HAVE A MTA 100 MASS TERMINATION CARD, EZ PLUG STEPPER CARD W/ GECKO 203 DRIVES . MY STEPPER MOTORS ARE FROM HOMESHOP CNC WITH THE FOLLOWING SPECS...
2 PHASE
STEP ANGLE 1.8
VOLTAGE 2.0
CURRENT 6.0 AMPS
4 WIRE
HOLDING TORQUE 520

POWER SUPPLY IS AN TEK 65 VDC
1/2" - 10 ACME LEAD SCREWS.
WHEN I TESTED MY MOTORS WITH 2000 STEPS IN MACH, THEY SOUNDED GOOD. NOW THAT I HAVE THEM ON MY TABLE AND HAVE CALIBRATED THEM USING MACH IT SHOWED MY SETTING NEEDED TO BE 21333.00 STEPS. WHEN I RUN A PROGRAM FROM THE MACH WIZARDS OR EVEN JOG MY MOTORS THEY DON'T SOUND GOOD AND THEY GET HUNG UP. DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING  TO DO WITH MICRO STEPPING. THE PROMO ON MY MOTORS SAY LOW COST MICRO STEPPING JUST GOT BETTER.
LOST AND CONFUSED, PLEASE HELP
 THANKS, CRAIG

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: jogging slow and limit switches won't work

« on: September 24, 2009, 07:01:28 PM »

Can't get cnc router to home properly.
 I'm back with more problems.. Thanks to the help on this forum I solved my frequency problem.. Now I am  getting close to actually cutting something with my homemade cnc router. I am able to move all axes, but I cannot get them to home properly. I have not installed any limit devices yet. I cannot get the green lites to go on any axes either. I read some earlier post and tried all those suggestions and got no where. My table on the video screen shows my part to be to the outside bottom cross hairs of  the machine coordinates.  Any help as always will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks.
Craig

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I ??

« on: September 21, 2009, 11:59:54 AM »

Rich,
  I finally got it. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions . For anyone else that has a similar problem, this is what I found.   I ran the driver test as suggested. The test actually didn't look that bad, but when in the Mach  window under diagnostics it showed the same problem with erratic pulse frequency. I  decided to load the special driver found in the Mach folder.  This fixed my problem. My pulse frequency is now locked in at 25382 and I believe this is a great number. I'm glad I didn't give up and go and buy another computer.   Thanks Rich, and all others

Craig

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I ??

« on: September 18, 2009, 06:32:30 PM »

 
  I ran the optimization program with no change in the pulse frequency. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.. Maybe I will have to get a new computer.. I need advice on how and where to get the right computer for mach 3.

  Thanks all for the help..
  Craig

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I ??

« on: September 14, 2009, 06:36:52 PM »

Rich,
  I tried taking the video card out and using the intergrated video card. This did not work, the pulse frequency was still all over the place. I also tried a video card from another computer, still no change... Once again I am lost. any help would be greatly appreciated...
  Thanks,
   Craig

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I ??

« on: September 14, 2009, 09:46:20 AM »

Rich,

  Thanks, I will give that a try and get back to you in a few days.