Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??

« on: December 08, 2019, 01:40:38 PM »

Hi,

I never fixed this problem. My solution was to return the XHC controller board and get a refund. I then purchased a SmoothStepper which essentially fixed all of my issues regarding the spindle sensor.

Hope this helps,
Steve

2

General Mach Discussion / Lathe Threading (Single Point) Fix - Mach 3

« on: May 24, 2019, 09:03:28 PM »

This is an FYI for other users. I hope to help anyone else who has run into this issue.

I was single pointing a screw thread with 28 TPI. The actual thread cut was closer to 29.5 TPI. Perfect looking thread, but just 29.5 TPI.

The fix to this was to uncheck 'Spindle Speed Averaging' under Config>>Ports and Pins>>Spindle Setup. After unchecking/deselecting this option, the thread cut perfectly.

I'm not 100% on why this was happening, but it is interesting that the thread pitch was in error of around 6% and the spindle speed was in error of about 6% (250 rpm command, 267 rpm actual). Is 'Spindle Speed Averaging' somehow causing the system to ignore the actual speed?? Obviously it is still picking up on the index.

My system: Smoothstepper, Mach 3 Version R3.043.062, HF-based CNC lathe

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??

« on: October 01, 2018, 09:14:15 AM »

Thank you very much for the advice. I may indeed switch to a SmoothStepper as it seems like a better long term solution.

I'll update this post when I figure out more about how to make my setup work correctly.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??

« on: October 01, 2018, 06:37:55 AM »

Attached is the plugin screenshot...

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??

« on: October 01, 2018, 06:36:48 AM »

Thank you for the help. Yep I've already tried setting the index debounce to 0 (and many other values). I've attached a screenshot of my plugin settings - I've played a bit with these as well but don't see anything that would relate to this issue.

I may be able to get a refund for this board and get a new one. I was really planning on threading abilities.

Can you recommend a couple of Mach3 compatible boards that interface via USB? I guess Ethernet may also work for me but I've used USB in the past.

Thank you again,
Steve

6

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??

« on: September 29, 2018, 02:56:30 PM »

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I have been using Mach 3 for about 4 months now - starting with a cnc mill and now I am finalizing a cnc mini lathe.

My question is regarding the cnc minilathe spindle index. I am using a MKX-IV control board (USB) and have the X and Z axes working correctly. I installed a NPN hall effect sensor and magnet for the spindle speed sensor, and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to get a stable spindle speed readout out of mach. When checking the actual electronics, I have a clean, stable frequency as measured from the sensor. But Mach 3 reports a spindle speed only in increments of 600 rpm (going up to 1200, 1800, etc as I increase spindle speed). If I check the 'Spindle Speed Averaging Box' then I will get different spindle speeds that seem semi-accurate (i.e. 536, 640, and any other integer), but the speeds bounce around a lot. In case it is important - I am using a licensed Mach 3 and not demo version.

I'll keep working on it but feel like I've checked everything. My one hope is that I noticed someone else with this same 600 rpm increment issue using an MKX-IV board. It didn't appear that the issue was resolved though. I'm attaching my Mach3 Turn xml file in case that helps any diagnosis.

Thank you for any suggestions and/or comments.