Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: PC Specification??

« on: April 13, 2012, 04:44:41 AM »

Thanks Hood

I am reading up on SS my concern at the moment is the homing of the slave axis.
Reading on the SS page there seems to be an issue when trying to home the gantry onto both drives
I really don't want to trade one issue for another, so will keep reading and trying to learn more
You would have thought with all the many people out there using Mach the PC question shouldn't be that difficult to resolve
As I have said when in the config every thing is spot on and I couldn't ask for anything better
But as soon as I return to the run screen it all goes "Pete tong", just got to find out what, why and resolve it one way or another

Thanks again

Ex Apprentice

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: PC Specification??

« on: April 12, 2012, 04:35:13 PM »

Hi Hood

Thanks for the response, hope your keeping well, no I haven't forgot I still have your driver all boxed and safe, just in case.
Got all the electronics boxed and seems OK, built the z axis and gantry, just wanted to test things out before going to far with my concept.
I have come up with a novel way of creating the linear bearings (I think, seems to work and should be sufficient for this build)
As you can see I am still dabbling with the machine (monster) as and when I can get on it.
The PC I have for mach also shows a good graph on the driver test maybe not at peak but up to 60K its good
I was really pleased with the performance of the set up during the tuning, until, as I have said I went back to the run screen
I will try "Angel Techs" suggestion regarding the slow jog rate when next at play time
The reason for asking about PC spec's, I believe my HP although looks more than up to the job is doing something in the background when I change from tuning to run
As always I am trying to keep the costs down, its easy to to throw money at things but that's not in the spirit of DIY or challenging and what do I learn if I just go out and buy a machine
(Typical Engineer)
Any way back to the PC spec question, I will have to try and find a PC tech and ask what could be going on
I am sure there are loads of PC's that are spot on for this application, its just finding out which ones and why

Regards

Ex apprentice

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: PC Specification??

« on: April 12, 2012, 01:12:08 PM »

Hi Rich

No not using a Dell, for some reason I went for a HP, I seem to remember a similar comment somewhere regarding Dell PC's
Regards

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: PC Specification??

« on: April 12, 2012, 10:37:28 AM »

Thanks Angel Tech

will do
didn't think, so many other things going and to think about apart from trying to build my machine.
Does anyone use a Dell machine, if so can they post the spec and how it performs

Regards

Ex Apprentice

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: PC Specification??

« on: April 12, 2012, 03:58:07 AM »

Hi Rich

Thank you for your reply

The graph under driver test is pretty good, one small spike other than that its pretty much a flat line (unless I go up to 60K or above)
Its just really annoying that under the config set up all the motors run really well, if they stayed like that it would be brilliant, but as soon as I save and jog via the run screen is when it all goes bad.
Does that mean under config the pulse signal is good and under run something is interupting the quality.
I am sure this can be solved with a different PC hence the request, I will carry on building in the knowledge (I hope) that I can just replace the PC at a later date.
Thanks for the SS suggestion, a bit more quite reading up on SS but being in the UK a lot of things required will need to be shipped over .
Thanks again

Ex apprentice

6

General Mach Discussion / PC Specification??

« on: April 11, 2012, 02:25:03 PM »

Hi everyone
Just a simple question! I am in the process of tuning my steppers, when in config (motor tuning) I can get the motors to run sweet, smooth, & quick.
As soon as I save these settings and return to the run screen and then use the keyboard to jog they run rough and lumpy!!

I have read that the general consensus is when in the run screen the PC is using more resource than when in the config state.
My PC is a HP P4 3.0 with 1GB of ram, video card installed, clean apart from whats needed. At the moment I am setting using the demo version of Mach

So my question/s are
Can someone confirm the make, model, spec of a known PC that does the job of running Mach 3 well" ?
I am sure this question sounds simple but apart from buying / trying numerous PC's how can you tell?
Or
Are there other options out there to sort this problem that are cost effective?

Thank you for any help and guidence you can offer
Ex Apprenice

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dual Monitor Display

« on: December 26, 2010, 07:46:46 AM »

Hi Hood
Seasons Greetings (bit late)

Thank you for the reply, is & when will the next revision of Mach
With PC 's parts getting cheaper (Dual monitors graphics cards etc) just thought this would be a nice feature.
I have run Mach running on one screen while having Sheetcam open on the other so far
and have managed to stretch Mach across both (single view)doesn't look so nice though
The build is progressing (slowly) but I'm happy with the build so far, just need to crack on

Thank you and regards

Ex apprentice

8

General Mach Discussion / Dual Monitor Display

« on: December 26, 2010, 06:58:21 AM »

Hi all
Just a quick question, Is it possible to set two different mach screens over two monitors?
For example, I would like to have the "run" screen showing on one monitor while having the "diagnostics" screen showing on the second monitor
I have been able to set up the graphics card to do all the various options of display, but cannot achieve having two different Mach screens showing at the same time

Has anyone tried this or is it just wishful thinking
Looking forward to some guidance on how (if possible) to set this up

Thank you and regards

Ex-Apprentice

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Application, Mach3 torch height control.

« on: November 15, 2010, 04:44:53 PM »

Hi JP

That's good news, as I said I am sure loads of people have read these posts and really enjoyed the content
It would be soul destroying for quite a few of us if this subject just died a death with no outcome
Having a mechanical leaning (but learning the electronics side at a very steep curve - I find this very interesting)
couple that with the fact that it has the potential to be such a good system
Cant wait to read more
I fully understand the time thing my customers just seem to get in the way of my hobby

Thanks again

Ex Apprentice

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Application, Mach3 torch height control.

« on: November 15, 2010, 04:26:06 PM »

Hi Matt, Scot & JP

Where does it go from here, I must say and I am sure I speak for a lot of other readers whats next? I have really enjoyed reading the posts.
Is this topic closed or will it continue to run so close yet so far.
This in my mind is what its all about, you gentlemen are stars and it would be of great service to all us lesser mortals to continue to a conclusion
hopefully a cost effective home brew of a THC system that challenges the commercial options.
I am sure I am not alone in trying to build things for myself (even if it takes longer) If money was not an issue we would all go out and buy the things we want
and life would be simple, but that's not what Mach is all about for the majority of people
So come on gents and please continue your excellent debate and hopefully we can all learn as we read

Thank you for getting this far

Ex Apprentice