Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Spindle rotation causes a limit switch trigger??

« on: September 03, 2013, 02:35:17 AM »

Hi all

I had a problem with my Mach 3 machine dieing after a recent windows update (I do them every now and then). Afterwards my computer would not boot up. Eventually I reloaded windows and everything was fine. I decided to download the latest version of Mach 3 (r3.043.066). I have been using Mach 3 for about 3 years now and have never bothered with any update. I generally subscribe to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory. Case in point, I updated windows and that's caused me endless grief...

Anyway using R3.043.066 I couldn't get it to talk to my LPT port. I was using a PCI plug in card, so I also tried the onboard card. Nothing. The diagnostics screen wouldn't show any limit switches being triggered or anything at all. Eventually I got a whole new PC and still nothing. Finally I went back to an older version of Mach 3 and it started working again. It's so exciting to see motors move after spending nearly 2 days playing around and getting nowhere. So of lesser problem to me is whether others are having similar trouble with R3.043.066?

My biggest problem is that any time I turn on my spindle I seem to trigger a limit switch reset. On the diagnostics screen I don't see any limit switch LEDs turning on, but never the less it triggers the reset. Does anyone have any ideas on this at all? The machine is about 3 years old and hasn't had this problem before. I've checked the connections all seem ok. I've checked my earth connection to the machine bed, spindle VFD, and motor controller are all ok.

Cheers

Matt

2

Finished Plugins for Download / Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0

« on: February 15, 2011, 05:27:44 PM »

Hi guys. I believe I found the problem. When I pulled the computer out to plug the joystick into a rear USB port, it must have dislodged my PCI parallel port card slightly (it's not bolted down because the card came with a full size bracket and my computer has half size brackets. I've been meaning to use the CNC to mill out the hole).

I tried reinstalling Mach and it loaded fine, but when I changed the settings over from the onboard parallel port to my extra card mach just crashed again. I then check the address in control panel and it was missing altogether. That's when I opened up the computer to discover it not sitting properly. I've now got Mach running again, although I haven't tried the joystick plugin. I'll do that today sometime.

Cheers all - Matt

3

Finished Plugins for Download / Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0

« on: February 14, 2011, 10:09:58 PM »

I just tried to install the plugin myself. It said installed ok. But now I can't start Mach3. Everytime I click on Mach3, the splashscreen appears then a second later the whole computer freezes. Even the mouse won't move. I have to hold down the power button to reset the computer. I've tried this about 10 times now with varying combinations. Controller power on/off. Joystick plugged in/not plugged in. Any ideas? At the very least, how do I uninstall the plugin so I can at least get Mach going again.

Cheers - Matt

4

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: DXF to LC to Gcode

« on: December 30, 2010, 06:25:44 AM »

I've just found the manual for LC and noticed that in demo mode it only supports 50 lines of code... Oh well I will wait until my Router turns up and then check how well the demo runs before buying the software.

Cheers - Matt

5

LazyCam (Beta) / DXF to LC to Gcode

« on: December 30, 2010, 12:12:29 AM »

Hi all

Yes this seems to be another "I can't get my DXF into LC into Gcode". Sorry but I've read a lot of info here and still can't find a solution.

Overall I'm actually trying to get a PCB file into Gcode so I can make my own PCBs. I'm using Protel 99SE which I've saved as a DXF. I've then opened that with AutoCad2004 and removed things I don't need (like solder masks etc) then saved as DXF R12. I open the DXF in LC and it all appears to be there. Others seem to be missing stuff at this point, but my file appears all there.

I've got 2 layers, 1 being the tracks and 1 being the outer drawing of the PCB itself. I've assigned each layer a tool, and also set depths for each one. When I hit POST CODE it saves the file. But inside the Gcode file is only about 50 lines of sensible code then it just repeats G42, G40 for a few hundred lines. This is where I'm missing things. Does anyone have any ideas?

I'm still running the demo version, which according to the website is limited to 500 lines, not 50. I'm new to all this, my first CNC router is due for delivery next week, but I'm using the holidays to learn how to drive it all.

I've attached the Lcam and the tap files.

Cheers - Matt