Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref All Home and Go to Zero

« on: April 08, 2020, 02:56:40 PM »

Joel,

I think you are confused between the terms Machine Zero ("Home" position) and Part/Program Zero (lower left hand corner of your work piece - wood). It's not your fault, the 'Go to Zero' button should be labeled 'Go to Part Zero'.
The 'Go to Zero' button in Mach 3 is used to move your router from the Home position  to the lower left hand corner of your work piece. In other words, once you establish the Home position (Machine Zero), you and Mach 3 can find any other X and Y position on your table. Just move your router (X, Y) to the lower left hand corner of your work piece, lower the Z-Axis to the top of your board, and then just zero out  the X, Y, and Z-Axis buttons in Mach3 (Main Screen).
Now, when you click the Go to Zero button, Mach 3 will automatically move your router from the Home position to your Part/Program location.

Try the following: Turn off your Homing switch in Mach 3 for this example.

1. Move your machine (tool bit) to a random location on your table and call it "Home" (Machine Zero). This is usually located somewhere near the lower left hand corner of your table. Mark the location with an X.
2. Raise the Z-Axis upwards and stop at a point (just before hitting the Limit Switch) you want to call Home for the Z-Axis.
3. In Mach 3, click the 'Ref all Home' button (all zeros). You have now established the Home position for the X, Y, and Z-Axes. (Remember to Save your settings before closing out of Mach 3.)
4. Now, starting at the Home position, move the router to the lower left hand corner of your work piece. Lower the Z-Axis to the top of your piece of wood. Go to the main screen in Mach 3 and "zero" out the X, Y, and Z-Axes.
5. Return to the Home Position by entering G91 G28 Z0 (one line) in the text box (MDI screen in Mach 3) and hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
6 Finally, to verify that you set it up correctly, hit the Go to Zero button in Mach 3. Your tool bit should be sitting on the top of your work piece (lower left hand corner).

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 toolpath problem

« on: February 09, 2020, 11:20:34 AM »

In Mach 3, go to the Config tab and select 'ToolPath from the list. Take a picture (cellphone) of your settings, then try my settings (pic below) and see if it solves your problem.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: "Reference All" Jitters in Motors (M3)

« on: January 12, 2020, 10:01:32 AM »

David,
I don't know your level of expertise with CNC routers, but the 'Go to Zero' button on the Mach 3 main screen is NOT used for sending your X, Y,  and Z axes to the "Home" position. That button sends your axes to any one of the six Work Offsets (G54 -G59) you set up and select on the Offset screen. Mach 3 defaults to the G54 offset. So what ever value you have in the G54 Work Offset screen is where Mach 3 will send the router when you hit the Go to Zero button. Remember, the G54 offset value is ALWAYS referenced (measured) from the Machine Zero (Home position).
The Go to Zero button will also send your router to any location you set up for "Part Zero"  (X=0, Y=0, Z=0) on your work piece (wood). Part Zero is usually located at the lower left-hand corner of your work piece. Once you move your three axes to that corner and "zero out" the X, Y, and Z DROs (Digital Read Out) in Mach 3, the Go to Home button will go to that position automatically every time you hit that button - as long as you start at the HOME position.
Ok, so don't use the Go to Zero button for Homing.
(Sorry for being so long winded)
Now, it's the G28 X0 Y0 Z0 G-code command that will send any CNC router to the Home position. Most G-code programs will have the G28 command at some point in the program to raise the Z-Axis first, then the X and Y axes.
You can see this in action by going to the MDI screen and typing the following:
(Make sure all fixtures and clamps are out of the way.)

G28 X0 Y0 Z0  (Rapid movement)
or
G28 Z0 (hit Enter)
G28 X0 (hit Enter)
G28 Y0 (hit Enter)
If you get a hand held "Pendant", you can set it up (OEM codes) so when you hit the Home button on the pendant it will automatically send your router to the Home position. The OEM codes also work in "Script" files.

Let's get back to your problem. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Go to the Config tab on the menu bar and select 'Homing/Limits' from the list. You should have all green check marks under the heading 'Auto Zero' column. Also, play with the Speed percent setting. It may be too slow/fast.
2. Go to the Config tab on the menu bar and select 'Safe Z setup'. You should have  a check mark next to 'Allow Safe Z moves'.
3.If you have the 'Soft Limits'  button turned on (green) on the main screen in Mach 3, go to the Config tab on the menu bar and select 'Homing/Limits' from the list. Make sure you are not out of bounds with your settings.
4. Go to the Config tab on the menu bar and select 'Motor Tuning'. Your Velocity and Acceleration may need to be adjusted (motors too slow or too fast). They may be struggling to keep up.

Hope something I suggested helps,
Roger

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: "Reference All" Jitters in Motors (M3)

« on: January 11, 2020, 12:26:20 PM »

I would be curious to know if your "jitter" problem also happens when you send the X, Y, and Z axes independently to Machine Zero ("Home" position). I think I had the same problem.

Move your X, Y,  and Z axes to some random location on your table. Go to the 'MDI' tab in Mach 3 and enter ('Input' text box) the following to send each axis to the Home position:
G01 Z0 (hit the Enter key)

G01 X0 (hit the Enter key)

G01 Y0 (hit the Enter key)
Then repeat the above process, but use G00 this time.
(F.Y.I. - G01 is a Linear interpolation move and G00 is a Rapid positioning move)

Did the jittering still happen?

Thanks,
Roger