Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Diode laser wiring-help please

« on: October 25, 2019, 06:45:23 AM »

Thanks Tweakie. I'll work my way through those articles and give it another try. I've read in the last two days all 110 pages of your laser project post, some great information in it. Thought I was catching up till I saw that the post was started in 2009 . Dilemma today is that me and the wife are going away for a couple of days to celebrate our wedding anniversary; I wonder about her response if I cancel and head back to the shed

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Diode laser wiring-help please

« on: October 25, 2019, 06:25:19 AM »

Hi Tweakie, yes Mach3, parallel port, Windows XP.

3

General Mach Discussion / Diode laser wiring-help please

« on: October 25, 2019, 05:49:05 AM »

Hi. I finally built my CNC router last year after collecting parts and information over several years. Thanks to all who post on this forum and put their videos on You Tube.
As with us all once it was built the question was what could I add next? I've added a rotary axis and am now looking at including a laser diode. The rotary spindle is controlled through a Huanyang VFD which I have had no issues with; having wired this up I foolishly thought I had the knowledge to wire the laser but after many attempts I am stuck. The better half is constantly asking what I'm "messing about with now" and "what is that burning smell?" so it's time to ask for help.
I've read many articles on using the Z axis stepper but I would prefer to add the diode as a spindle with PWM Mach control.
The BOB is a ST-V2 and the laser control board is a SW-LD73 shown below.
Can anyone advise?
Thanks

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: More text and engrave questions

« on: October 31, 2009, 06:38:34 AM »

Hi,
I've just come across SerifDrawPlus8, nice and cheap to download. This gives an export to cad/cam option. I saved three lines of text with this which opened fine in LazyCam. I haven't had time to explore greatly but on first impressions things look good.
Hope this helps.
Mike

5

General Mach Discussion / Lazycam plunge clearance problem

« on: September 10, 2007, 05:06:33 AM »

Firstly thanks to everyone who works on mach & lazycam, when I was told to scrap my cnc engraver you saved me

Now the problem:-
when i first used lazycam the plunge clearance in posting options (if this is the problem) was set to 0.1, i.e. if the cutter was at a depth of -1mm it would rise to -0.9mm before plunging to its next depth.
Now the cutter always rises to 0.1mm between every pass, i.e. if it is at -1.0mm it will rise to 0.1mm and the plunge to its next depth setting. As I use lots of passes to cut through material this constant rising wastes a lot of time.
I have not changed the plunge clearance in posting options as far as I can see, what am I missing or what shouldn't I have tweeked??

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with reverse or mirror image engraving

« on: July 25, 2007, 10:24:55 AM »

Hi,
 This wont be much help but this seems to be a general problem with most engraving. Even an expensive Dahlgren software that I've used had a pop-up reminding you to mirror and rotate 180degrees the text before pressing start! I hope your software has a mirror function.
Mike