Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configure parallel ports?

« on: September 19, 2012, 07:13:59 AM »

Ah now I understand, thank you again. I used to do design a development of electronic systems many many years ago but the old grey matter is getting a bit fuddled lately 

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configure parallel ports?

« on: September 19, 2012, 06:23:37 AM »

Now another problem, I have 2 breakout boards connected to the ports both of which carry a relay designed to trigger the spindle or coolant etc. These are operated by Pin 9. When I look at configuring the spindle on/off in Mach 3 it appears I can only use pins 1-6 is that correct?, if so do I need different breakout boards? Also in port configuration port 2 seems to offer the option of setting pins 2 to 9 as inputs is this also correct?

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configure parallel ports?

« on: September 19, 2012, 05:43:54 AM »

Many thanks for that, I must not have been clicking apply as now I have 0xce00 and 0xcc00 in ports 1 and 2

Bob.

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General Mach Discussion / Configure parallel ports?

« on: September 19, 2012, 04:33:42 AM »

Hi to all, looks as though I've stumbled at the first hurdle, lets hope this is not a sign of things to come. Anyway I have no native parallel ports on the PC that  I intend to use for Mach 3 so have fitted 2 PCI parallel port cards as I will need more than 5 inputs. When I look into device manager they are configured to Port 1 CE00-CE07, IRQ 18 and port 2 CC00-CC07 IRQ 19. So far so good. If I enter CE00 into Port 1 address in config the entry changes to 0x378 however entering CC00 into port 2 address results in 0xcc00. Is this what I should expect?. I want to be able to test the port outputs and the breakout boards prior to connecting to the rest of the control system which I guess I can do through the diagnostics screen, yes? Many thanks for your assistance for what might be a dumb question, it may not be my last methinks.
Bob.

5

General Mach Discussion / Physical Jog Wheel?

« on: September 07, 2012, 04:51:18 PM »

Can anyone advise me, is it possible to connect a mechanical encoder type jog wheel to Mach? I'd like to make up a pendant with such a jog wheel and drive select switches. Any pointers or reference material etc greatfully received.
Bob.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: August 25, 2012, 08:10:07 AM »

Hi All,
I've been looking at the possibility of using Mach 3 for some time now and due to the recent failure of my NEE AMC controller I am now desparate to get going. I built my CNC router about 10 years ago and it has given me sterling service until now. It's a simple 3 axis machine using Norwin DC drives (Analogue) and SEM motors. I have found a suitable interface board to convert the Mach 3 pulse and direction output to talk to the Norwin drives and am happy to go ahead with the mechanical and elecrical work needed. But I now need to get to grips with using the software. I use the CNC to produce panels of various shapes in 18mm thick board. I'm used to being able to draw the item with a cad program and then import a .dxf file into the machine which I would like to continue to do. I guess LazyCam and Mach 3 would do just that. What I really need is to get together with someone who uses Mach 3 to talk things over so anyone located in Southeast of the UK could help out? Many thanks.