Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis set up on B axis query

« on: November 26, 2018, 04:15:11 PM »

Within Mach3 you can configure the B axis to be slaved with your Y axis - thus freeing up your A axis for rotary working.

It is not recommended to connect two axis (motor drivers) to the same pin.

Tweakie.

Thanks 4 reply. I set up the B axis to be slaved with the Y axis. I was just trying to keep B free for when I build a B/A head.

Just out of interest why is it not recommended to connect two axis (motor drivers) to the same pin?

2

General Mach Discussion / 4th axis set up on B axis query

« on: November 26, 2018, 09:56:02 AM »

I currently have mach3 set up using 4 motors X,Y, Z and slave the Y using the A axis. I want to include a 4th axis i.e. rotary positioner . I guess I have two questions about that.

Q1: Can I use the B axis as an alternative to A axis

Q2: If I reconfigured the controller wiring to run both Y axis motors off the same pins, which would then free up the A axis would that be an advantage? As both Y axis motors currently home separately I find this useful to square the table but could be persuaded to switch to dual Y. 

3

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Auto zero VB script imperial to metric conversion query

« on: December 12, 2017, 07:05:59 PM »

Call SetDro (2, 6)

Might it be possible just to ask a couple of other questions please Gerry about this so i'm clear.

Am I right in thinking 3 seconds of delay before start?
Code "G4 P3"

Am I right in thinking 100mm of travel before stop is therefor
Code "G90 G31Z-100.

Feed rate 5mm per second, how would I write the value of F?
Code "G90 G31Z-100. F50"

I wish the end mills to retract 20mm how do I input that?
Code "G1 Z1. F50"

4

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Auto zero VB script imperial to metric conversion query

« on: December 12, 2017, 06:04:18 PM »

Thanks Gerry! 

5

VB and the development of wizards / Auto zero VB script imperial to metric conversion query

« on: December 12, 2017, 04:46:50 PM »

Hi,
i'm using the script below but wondering how to write the values in metric instead of imperial as the script comes. For example the touchdown material I have is 6mm thick and i need to change the command (2, .060). How should that be written as 6mm?
Thanks for any suggestions


CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state
CurrentGmode = GetOemDRO(819) 'Get the current G0/G1 state

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then 'Check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
DoOEMButton (1010) 'zero the Z axis so the probe move will start from here
Code "G4 P3" ' this delay gives me time to get from computer to hold probe in place
Code "G90 G31Z-4. F4" 'probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving() 'wait while it happens
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002) 'get the exact point the probe was hit
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos 'go back to that point, always a very small amount of overrun
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, .060) ' change .060 to your plate thickness and then adjust for final accuracy
Sleep 200 'Pause for Dro to update.
Code "G1 Z1. F50" 'put the Z retract height you want here, must be greater than the touch plate thickness
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if applicable
End If
If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If
If CurrentGMode = 0 Then 'if G0 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G0"
End If   

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: whats going on with this gcode and file?

« on: March 16, 2016, 12:26:42 PM »

Thanks

7

General Mach Discussion / whats going on with this gcode and file?

« on: March 16, 2016, 12:14:19 PM »

I've been given a file exported from Sketchup and formatted in various ways to cut out using the plasma. I've taken the file into sheetcam, run the post processor and imported to Mach3.

What are these concentric rings showing? I dont usually have these!

See the original file, sheetcam gcode and screengrab for details. Any thoughts welcome..

 

8

General Mach Discussion / plasma/mach3 line segments issue.

« on: March 06, 2016, 05:45:46 PM »

Hi,

I'm trying to work out why any dxf file I make looks segmented on import to sheetcam and import to Mach3. I normally cut 3d forms in foam using the vectric aspire package but have recently set the machine up as a plasma cutter and it requires more knowledge about vector files and dxf preparation it seems to get smooth cut curves.

Every file I bring into mach 3 appears as segmented lines. Is this just as it always appear or is it an issue from the original dxf or a mechanical issue?

I've attached file examples and screen grabs of my mach3 setting to assist. A few variables i'm sure you'll agree.
current Mach3 setting for plasma
Velocity 17500 (metric)
Acceleration 1750 (metric)
CV ON
IJ settings?

Using a process of elimination I thought it might be good to tackle the dxf and gcode first as the mach3 screen clearly shows segmented lines.

Thanks

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma velocity and acceleration settings enquiry

« on: February 19, 2016, 08:39:20 AM »

I incorrectly wrote 100mm/s/s when this should have been 500mm/s/s.

The advice I was given suggested for cutting smaller text was lowering velocity and increasing acceleration. Perhaps i've not decreased Vel enough and increased Acc enough?

10

General Mach Discussion / Plasma velocity and acceleration settings enquiry

« on: February 19, 2016, 07:11:48 AM »

I wanted to ask the Mach3 forum about a specific plasma issue which might be related to the feeds and speeds I use. Its one of those process of elimination issues, mechanical or software? I'm not getting smooth curves on the cuts and this could one of several issues but i've wanted to discuss my Velocity and acceleration speeds for a while incase these were unusual.

I use T5 belt drive directly from a 15T pulley's, Nema 24 motors and Gecko540.

To cut 3mm (0.125984) plate these are my metric Mach settings

steps: 26
Velocity: 5500mm/min (216.5354")
Acceleration: 100mm/min (3.93701")

Any advice or thoughts welcome

Thanks