Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: August 11, 2013, 12:29:16 PM »

No, I never did see a resolution to this. I switched back to using mach2 since we are just cutting out simple shapes. I'll be putting mach3 on a new computer and installing all new controls one of these days.
On occasion, we use mach3 to cut some files that mach2 won't cut. They come out ok as long as there aren't a lot of direction changes in the cut file.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 06, 2010, 01:40:25 PM »

I measured the CPU and RAM usage when idle and when running.  I also posted the General Config and Diagnostics page.  I changed a few things in the Gen Conf since I posted the XML's yesterday.  I just turned off high res screens, enhanced pulsing, Plasma Mode (CV), G100 Nurbs (CV), and Home SW. Safety.  After changing all this, it still made no difference; the error is exactly the same.  I will try to get a stick of RAM at lunch and try it this afternoon.

The Time in Int fluctuates between 5.5 and 6.5.  The pulse frequency is steady at 43718.
CPU Usage:
0-12%, Mach3 running, but idle
20-50%, Mach3 running and cutting

Memory Usage:
47104k, Mach3 running, but idle
50244k, Mach3 running and cutting

Frank

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 06, 2010, 10:32:00 AM »

Hi.  Here are the results from the driver test.  I ran it all the way up to 100kHz and it worked great.  I have also attached the specs for the computer.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 05, 2010, 09:01:05 PM »

I changed Mach3 to 45kHz when it was not working to see if that would help.  It was originally at 25kHz.  Changing to 45 didn't make any difference.  The computer is a dell, about 3 years old.  I don't have specifics with me as I'm not at the office anymore.  I can post them tomorrow.

Frank

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 05, 2010, 06:54:57 PM »

I tried to change the Dir pulse width to 15, and then to zero.  There was no effect on the error.  I have posted the xml files for both Mach2 and Mach3.  One thing to note is that every once in a while, the start of a movement will cause the steppers to "grunt" a bit, and it sounds similar to a stalled stepper.  However, this only happens when using Mach3, and it happens randomly.  I have checked all of the mechanics of the machine, and the linear bearings and drive components all operate smoothly; not to mention that it only happens when using Mach3.

Frank

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 05, 2010, 03:28:43 PM »

Hi Hood.  Thanks for the reply.  The motor tuning for steps/unit, velocity, and acceleration is the same, except that the velocity is in units/s (Mach2) instead of units/min (Mach3).  In Mach2, I left the default settings the same for pulse width and prechange.  All works good with Mach2.  In Mach3, I tried to change the pulse widths from 1 to 5us.  The lower the number of microseconds, the worse the motors ran.  I didn't see a dir prechange setting in Mach3.  I also tried to flip the active setting on each motor and it didn't make a difference.  Any other ideas?

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 losing steps

« on: October 05, 2010, 01:41:05 PM »

Hi all.  We recently upgraded one of our plasma cutters to Mach3 from Mach2.  After doing so, we noticed that the x and y axes would lose steps.  In other words, if I was to zero the torch, drive around the table for a few minutes, and return to zero, the torch would be 3/16" away from zero in both directions (both negative x and negative y).  After trying to change every setting imaginable within Mach3, and swapping drives around, etc, I reinstalled Mach2.  Now the torch goes back to zero as it should.  Does anyone have any idea what would cause Mach3 to "lose" steps on the same setup that works perfectly with Mach2?

Thanks,
Frank

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Offset for multiple heads

« on: October 03, 2010, 12:16:08 PM »

Thanks guys!  I will give this a try and report back.

Frank

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Offset for multiple heads

« on: September 14, 2010, 09:36:49 AM »

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the replies!  I think I will use the G54/G55 method.  However, I am not sure if it will work without some extra playing around.  We use our machine in G54 coordinates all day long (we just put our material on the table in any location, zero the axis to the corner, and cut).  I was wondering if the G54/G55 are relative to each other, or relative to machine coordinates?  In other words, if I setup G55 to be -6,2, my machine coordinates are currently at 50,50, and my G54 coordinates are recently zero'd to 0,0, would changing from G54 to G55 make the machine want to move 56 inches in the - x direction, and 48 inches in the - y direction to get to 0,0, or make it want to move to -6,2, which would be relative to the G54 coords?

Frank

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Offset for multiple heads

« on: September 11, 2010, 01:36:05 AM »

I should clarify one thing.  My machine has a single head with two tools fixed to it, not multiple heads.  I messed up when writing the topic.