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Messages - consaka

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1
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 29, 2017, 02:59:52 AM »
Hi,
even worse, as this guy found looks like it upsets maybe a registry entry now he can't even install Mach fresh
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,35683.0.html

Craig

Meh until this problem is solved we really have no idea the relationship between his problem and the cheap knockoff. It could just as well be an improper/screwed up uninstall of mach software. It could potentially be caused by some other malware as well.  I recently fixed an odd obscure and unrelated problem on a PC that was malware related. When using a headset with mic the mic would keep muting itself. All because of some idiotic embedded malware.

The Hungarian Chinese:) don't have anything to gain by causing issues to PC's that use their products. In fact the opposite is true and though it might not seem like it they do test their software, hardware, and drivers to make sure they work on the machines they want them to work on. Not saying they are perfect but seen lots of software run flawlessly out of China but if ever there is a hiccup they get slammed harder then anyone else and everyone else has had hiccups too.
Just saying, usually its the hardware. Got stacks of chinese hardware, most from other people who I have installed for or repaired their video networks.
You got to give them some credit. Their are about as capitalistic as they can get. If they see a product priced so high it keeps the majority of people out of the game they ask themselves what it really costs to make that product.  The result is that China production is now some of the biggest in the world. Multi millionaires are being made over there pretty fast these days.  Most people 40 years ago couldn't even think about affording security cameras as those systems were $1,000's of dollars. Now you can get more then two for just a few hundred bucks. Now lots of people are buying cheap cameras that otherwise wouldn't. Sure they only last a few years but consumers don't seem to care about that. More work for me so why should I complain? Hehehe.

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Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 28, 2017, 10:31:33 PM »
Hi omiadhi,
if you decide you like the UC100, and thousands have, just beware that there is a whole bunch of cheap Chinese knock offs on Ebay
at the moment, best buy direct from CNCDrive or their US distributor.

Craig

I'll second that. The arduino/ramps setup that my first 3dprinter used was made from cheap chinese knockoffs. Their components often do not have the same load ratings or tolerances of the real deal.

3
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 27, 2017, 10:15:25 PM »
Hi,
Quote
I must point out that many of those features are production level features. A hobbyist would not need.
Bull*********, the reason I know these things are because I use them....

Craig

Goody for you. You aren't everyone else.  You also are either not a hobbyist or are one with deep pockets. Not everyone has such luxuries as endless amounts of money. Yet a good hobby keeps many people from going insane. Your attitude seems to be to pay up for the fancy stuff or don't play.
Fact is hobbyists do some amazing work especially considering most of the free software out there is a result of multiple hobbyists working together for a common goal.  Community based projects off another perk that many hard-line production software doesn't. And that is flexibility of features. How many times have I seen someone come up with a great idea in a forum and have it end up as a feature in the software.  Many times though I also still have some ideas that were added to production software per my request but that is pretty rare and it was a smaller company way back when. Usually if you want something and it isn't there you are just out of luck or you have to pay some big bucks to have it custom made for you.

4
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 27, 2017, 11:15:03 AM »
Controllers/software for 3d printers are CNC. Obviously a 3d printer is not going to need torch height control is it? Hehehe. I mean after all it is a printer and not a plasma torch. But then how many plasma torches have extrusion width control or thickness control? Your assertion is completely apples and oranges. Much of the software out there can be found that support those features. I must point out that many of those features are production level features. A hobbyist would not need.

Hi,
agreed Linux is daunting for most, ergo Window based software of which Mach is among the most capable and cheap.

There are a number of features that good CNC software/controllers are capable which are not available with controllers
for 3D printers. Backlash compensation,Torch Height Control, probing and for certain controllers high bandwidth closed
loop servo control, multiple encoder input, CCW/CW and quadature outputs, Modbus and/or serial plugins....this is
not an exhaustive list, just among the ones I know.

Craig

5
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 26, 2017, 05:44:14 PM »
Fiddling with Linuxs is a pain and something most people have no time for.  In the world of CNC 3d printing, MatterControl is free. So is Cura and a slew of others.  You do not have to fiddle with Linux for low cost solutions. Each of the various branches of CNC have free or close to free software solutions.  Typically dedicated software you pay for will be more functional but it doesn't even guarantee better support. The most common open source solutions often have a huge support community.  My suggestion is for anyone new to CNC to play around with the free solutions until they become skilled enough to understand how everything works and what features they need and or want.  Then explore some paid for solutions to see if they might get more. That is what I did with 3dprinting. I started with MatterControl and played with Cura and Slic3er. Then I got Simplify3D since it really combines the best of the free solutions. 


Hi,
if cost is the prime determinant then Linux CNC, its free. Uses industry standard Gcode, within the exception that there is no standard as such but close.
Software is all open source. If you want to fiddle with Linux...

Craig

6
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 26, 2017, 12:09:46 PM »
I guess it depends on a number of factors.  Mostly it depends on whether or not you want to use a mach3 software or mach4 software or other software. mach related software seems to be industrial oriented as well as the corresponding hardware. There are other alternatives for the hobby users though that is a lot cheaper.  Like the standard arduino with Ramps board attached to it or even the tinyG and smoothie as hardware solutions which allows you to pretty much use any software you wish with the exception being mach3 or 4 software. I know with the arduino and ramps combo and boards like the smoothie board you can use those for ANY CNC style operation from 3d printers to laser cutting and engraving as well as wood routing.
I'd say if you are going for industrial strength and a full time business and you have the money stick with mach software and supported hardware.  Otherwise if you want flexibility to use your cnc for whatever and if you want simplicity then explore the other widely supported open source solutions I mentioned a few of. Probably the most common is the Arduino Ramps combination.  Literally both can be had for around 60 bucks or less and a good amount of the software is free and widely supported.  If you do decide to go this route I would suggest getting the Arduino Ramps combination already set up for the type of CNC you plan to do.  Find a supplier that can load it with a config file or firmware for your configuration. In other words if you have a dual stepper motors for y or z axis and or one for an extruder if you want to do 3d printing.  Good luck with your project.
 

I'm new to this forum.  I'm building a cnc router and just investigating now.  Just want to be sure about something.  Am I correct that I should be able to use a windows 10 desktop with the usb port to a motion controller feeding the parallel port on the breakout board for the motors.  Thanks.  Great stuff here!

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Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: September 11, 2017, 06:11:01 PM »
Thanks Craig. I guess if I ever need to go industrial I'll know where to start. And by industrial I mean someone drops a project in my lap with a pile of money and says, "do it!"

I have heard good things about Fusion360 and I use Tinkercad for the kiddies to learn on but for myself I can't be tied to the net so I use DesignSpark. Seems to work pretty well with short learning curve.

A smoothie board is just a controller board. It can be used for just about any CNC operation. Often used for 3d printers.  Probably about the same caliber as a tinyG only more capable.

Cheers.

8
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: August 22, 2017, 12:14:24 PM »
Thanks Craig.

The nema 23's that My router table uses seem more then adequate but I guess if I wanted mad speed I would need something bigger then thenema23's and  tinyG. What I like about the tinyG is I can control the amps going to the motors right from the board. You raised a few more questions though. The tinyG setup I have uses ChilliPepper to send the gCode to the tinyG and for me that is bad since it requires internet access or a nerd genius to figure out how to download some files and tweak those files to work offline. So would mach3 or mach4 even work with the tinyG? Keep in mind all I have is laptops from windows 7 to windows 10.

I also have a smoothieboard I can use for one of the upcoming projects. Am I correct in assuming it too is a motion controller and 4axis driver?

9
Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 under win10
« on: August 20, 2017, 02:27:32 PM »
Ok I am a bit confused. Granted I am a bit new to the whole CNC world but I did recently put together a decent sized machine from a kit I bought online for somewhere near $300.00  It came with a tinyg board that plugs directly into my laptop.  The software learning curve is a tough one. To do most things it seems to take up to 3 or more different pieces of software that could easily cost more then the cost to build the machine.  First you need the software that actually sends the gcode to the CNC router. In my case it is chilipepper or some such thing. But you also need software to create the code in the first place.  That software seems to depend on what you are actually doing.  Of course if you want to convert a picture or a template you need another piece of software.

So my background is mechanical and I have welders and a cheap plasma machine. My son also picked up a broken 3d printer we want to fix but need a new controller board for it. Of course we also need software for it.  All we have are laptops of cheap vintage. Namely the cheapest you can get at Costco. They only have USB ports. This talk of BOB's and motion controllers is confusing. So what is the tinyg board that I am using? Is it a BOB or a Motion controller? Will mach3 or 4 not work with a tinyG board? I want to build a CNC plasma cutter table but I still have to control it. I was going to try to either use my spare smoothie board for either it or the 3d printer but not sure which it would be good for if either.  I also heard plasma produces a noisy environment that can mess some boards up plus you have to hack into the torch for on and off control.

My son uses the router table and would probably use the 3dprinter with his laptop. I need to be able to use all three with my laptop.  Am I going to be able to use mach 3 or 4 without going completely broke?

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