Messages

1

Bargain Basement / Texas Microcircuits Mini Pendant and Zero Touch Off

« on: March 11, 2019, 07:11:19 PM »

$110 shipped (US)
Texas Microcircuits Mini Pendant and Zero Touch Off pad. Includes all documentation. ready to install and use on your Mach 3 system. Plug & Play!

2

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 1997 DYNA MYTE DM4800 VMC to Mach3 Conversion

« on: August 29, 2012, 04:59:43 PM »

Wow, that's a lot of work! I can't imagine the man-hours that have gone into it!
Just curious, how does your tool changer go to the correct tool if it's only a simple AC motor that can go forward and reverse? How does it know how far to rotate if the next tool is say, 5 tool spaces away?
Thanks
Dean

3

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: USB TO PARALLEL

« on: December 24, 2011, 11:43:53 AM »

Then a good library section to hold it ALL in one place.  Would it not be nice if someone ask aquestion on tool comp and you were able to answer with Go over to the libary and download the ToolComp manual and look on PAGE 27 . That will explain what you need to know. If you need help get back with me. AND you now has a good BASE to explain things further.

I know that this has gotten off topic, but I'll post anyway .

I retrofitted a series I Bridgeport and the "hardest" part of the whole process was cleaning 20 years of oil/coolant /dirt off of it. It was relatively easy. Then I moved on to Mach3. Use the manuals you say. Which one? the Mach1.84 one? the Mach2 one? The titles leave a bit to be desired and explain obsolete features and gloss over others.
The information is available, but it's not as easy as you, who have "grown up" with Mach make it sound.

My observations parallel yours. "LOCK" Mach3 and live with whatever limitations it has, and put out Mach version 4 (that works) when it's ready, so the rest of the add-on industry can continue to evolve without the shadow of impending change looming over their head. JMHO
Dean

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 4.0 Rev Update

« on: October 30, 2011, 05:21:40 PM »

I am not a programmer so please forgive me if this is an ignorant question.
If there is a 'lock down' version that works, why would you continue to "tinker" with the old version (3) revisions and not focus resources on the 'new' version (4), since it sounds like version 4 changes the way the program "thinks" and undoubtedly will need to be debugged? Just curious.
Thanks
Dean

5

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: BRIDGEPORT SERIES II CNC MILL W/ BOSS 6 CONTROL RETROFIT

« on: May 11, 2011, 11:53:02 AM »

Joe,
Good job on the retrofit! I did a Series I BOSS 6 and kept the original steppers, Gecko 203's and run then @ 65V/7A. I have had no problems at all for the last 2 years. I also limit my speeds to 100 IPM. Just be aware that your BOSS 5 has no gearing (belt) so your speeds will be slower. Boss 6 and newer have a 2.5:1 drive. I think you will be well served for putting these machines back in production if they aren't wore out. Mine still holds tenths. I reused as many parts as I could to save on components including the original (modified) heat sinks for the Geckos.
Good job.
Dean

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slowdown limit

« on: May 11, 2011, 10:29:48 AM »

Don,
I encountered these two limit switches also when I retro'd my series I Bridgeport. Hood has what
I think is the best option and is what I incorporated. Use the highest switch as your limit and set up a soft limit, in my case .5" before encountering the hard limit. Just abandon the pre-limit switch. as the soft limit is performing this function (less problems). JMHO.
Dean

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Benefit of 4th axis homing switch?

« on: May 10, 2011, 06:29:36 PM »

The best setup I know of is using a slitted disk with an optical switch.  When the slit is oriented over the optical switch, the switch changes state and gives your home pulse.  The axis will (and should) only home in one direction.

Reasonable if only in one direction. Any switch could work?

I do believe a rotary home switch is important if you have static fixtures on your rotary table, and also helpful in cutting threads.

Wouldn't consider threading with a rotary table, I use a lathe or thread mill. What do you mean by static fixture? I keep a 4-jaw chuck on mine almost exclusively.
Thanks
Dean

8

General Mach Discussion / Benefit of 4th axis homing switch?

« on: May 10, 2011, 03:15:41 PM »

I currently don't have any homing or limit switches on my 8" rotary table. I've never needed one. I have seem some tables with homing switches. What am I "missing" that I could benefit by having a "home" switch on my rotary table?
If there is a good reason, what kind of setup (switch) is repeatable from two directions (or does homing in a circle only go one direction?)?
Dean