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Messages - Curmudgeon

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1
LazyTurn / I Like it !
« on: June 03, 2010, 07:48:26 PM »
I just found Lazyturn !
I guess it's not exactly hidden, but still !
I'm pretty sure it's going to work for me and I have already built gcode from a dfx I'm hoping will work. Copying it over to the shop PC now so I can run it on a real machine. Looks good in simulator and in Mach2 lathe, but I'm not moving any machine parts yet.

Is this an active effort ?
I ask because while I've been learning to use it, I've found a few bugs. Nothing that keeps it from outputting good code, just stuff that's not refreshing when it should, or not clear as to how it works.
I'm NOT complaining, and I'm OK with it as is, but if the authors are looking for feedback, I can contribute.

 

2

Update on 4th AXIS (rotating, but not indexed).

Everything is working as hoped for!  Not sure why the resetswapedaxis() was not working originaly, or why the spindle speeds were not displaying correctly, but the next time I tried it everything worked fine. I suspect I had changed things so much it just needed to be restared to get back in sync.

I'll post up a video when I get it working on the machine.
Thanks to everyone for the help.

3
I do know that the stepper gets hotter just holding perfectly still than it does spinning. Sort of makes sense, but not intuitively.

4
I think you use servo motor for Spindle.
Constantly moving, does not hurt to Servo motor?
I'm sure your right.
I had this stepper/gearbox from a previous project and just decided to use it for a proto-type. Originaly I was going to have a real indexed axis, thus the stepper. In the end I just decided to use it for a spindle.
I actualy have a real spindle with a 3 jaw chuck and a matching tailstock that's off an old Sherline that would work much better. Speed control and on/off all right there on the front panel of it. But what fun is that ?

5
So the SwapAxis() and ReSetAxisSwap() are Mach functions then, and functions must be called from a macro, Ahhhh it's all comming together now...
I think I have everything I need.
I can't do any testing till I get home tonight, but I beleive you have me pointed in the right direction, THANKS !
Richard

OK.  Some success, some stuff still to be worked out.
Spindle swap worked flawlessly, reset, not so well.
Not sure why, but resetaxisswap() never put things back completely. I didn’t try just doing another swap from 3 to 6.

Also I have both the ‘A’  and the Spindle motor tuning set up exactly the same, but the spindle turns extremely slow unless I use numbers like S40000, which is equating to about 200 RPM’s ??
The DRO never reads any RPM’s  for the spindle.

I probably have something configured as angular instead of rotational or otherwise set incorrectly.
Not a lot of time to fuss with it last night, but I’m confident I’m very close.

Thanks for all the help !

PS
Your mill is amazing.......

6
So the SwapAxis() and ReSetAxisSwap() are Mach functions then, and functions must be called from a macro, Ahhhh it's all comming together now...

I think I have everything I need.
I can't do any testing till I get home tonight, but I beleive you have me pointed in the right direction, THANKS !

Richard
 

7
Steve, team, I'm trying to figure out the options for running my stepper as a spindle and getting confused (it happens a lot). I've read this thread and I know I can do what I want with Mach and macros, but I'm not sure exactly how to do it.

I want to run it continually, like a spindle, pretty much just off and on. I don't need to zero it or ever know where it is. I know I need to configure it and the spindle in Mach3, but beyound that I'm not sure.
I see M951, then I see a bunch of references to Swapaxis(6,3). I can’t find the source for M951 (did it get renamed ?), and I’m wondering if I need the little swapaxis board to do what I want.

It's set up, tuned, enabled and running now as 'A'. I know I need to configue the spindle and enable it.
Past that. I'm not sure.

Thanks !  

8
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smothstepper and 3D probing plugin?
« on: May 11, 2010, 08:16:49 PM »
Sorry Denis, I haven't  done any probing yet. Just getting started and doing some research when I found this post.  I kind of doubt the problem is the smooth stepper, but then I'm no expert for sure !

9
SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smothstepper and 3D probing plugin?
« on: May 11, 2010, 10:46:45 AM »
I'm also interested in this post. I use a SS, but plan to get away from it.
I need to do some probing and was doing my research on probing when I found this post.
 

Anyone ???

10
Relatively new to the forum, been lurking and running the demo version of Mach3 while building my Rockcliff  model A CNC.
Got it up and running just yesterday and ready to start making some sawdust. I’m a software guy by trade, but have always had a wood working project in the shop as my escape. I started making duck calls a few years ago and that hobby lead me to CNC. Not for the barrels, that’s the fun part of call making, but for the tone boards. Tone boards need to be very precise, and consistency is mandatory. Most folks use hardened steel jigs. Jigs are expensive and you can’t just make one any time you need one. Being able to use different radi (arc’s) is my goal, and I want to do it with software, not jigs. I also want to be able to probe a toneboard I already have fine tuned and then cut that on my CNC. I have a LOT to learn but don’t doubt I will get it all working with the support tools provide by Art, and of course the folks on this forum.  I’m looking forward also to making a few other things on the CNC, that’s why I built the 12x12 instead of buying one of the much smaller kits that would have sufficed for just the tone boards.
Also using a notebook and a Smooth Stepper with no problems so far....

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