Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM laser connections

« on: April 13, 2021, 08:30:11 AM »

Thanks

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM laser connections

« on: April 13, 2021, 06:34:01 AM »

OK. That shows my lack of knowledge 
But I'm learning
I will play with the outputs again

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM laser connections

« on: April 13, 2021, 06:14:52 AM »

Hi Tweakie. Thanks for that.
Followed the Warp9 Laser install to the letter but didn't work.
Found that , for some reason, my system only recognises Port 2 for the M10/M11 commands even though the BOB is plugged into port 1 on the ESS.
Changed M11P1 to M11P2 and away it went.
Thanks again for your valuable time and assistance
Doug

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM laser connections

« on: April 12, 2021, 07:45:19 AM »

The rest of the attachments

5

General Mach Discussion / PWM laser connections

« on: April 12, 2021, 07:43:13 AM »

I have had a diode laser running on my CNC for a while now but can only operate it at 100% so I now want to get the PWM working.
I use a Warp9 ESS connected to a 5 axis BOB via port 1 and have pin 17 connected to the PWM connection on the laser for M10/M11 control. Works well.
I built Tweakie's little NAND trigger unit and connected it all up as below and followed the spindle/laser setup in the Warp9 install manual.
I have tried playing with various M10Pxx/M11Pxx and S********* commands but pin 1 will always stay low (0 volts).
I am either missing or not understanding something here and hoping someone can help please.

Thanks

6

General Mach Discussion / Home build using 2040 Aluminum Profile

« on: March 21, 2021, 01:38:38 AM »

Hi everyone. I am considering building a new CNC router to replace my original (and highly modified) unit and am considering using 2040 aluminium profile for the frame. That seems to be the standard for openbuild laser units but am wondering if it would be strong and rigid enough for a router. If anyone has any experience with this form of construction I would love to hear from you.
Doug

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using a Rotary Axis

« on: March 16, 2021, 06:51:36 AM »

Hang on. I think I just asked a very dumb question. I have suddenly understood how this rotary axis thing works.
Please excuse my dumbness

8

General Mach Discussion / Using a Rotary Axis

« on: March 16, 2021, 05:48:52 AM »

I have been using Mach3 to drive my self built CNC router/laser machine with great success. Now I want to be able to etch with either the router or the laser on a curved surface. I have figured out the hardware and how to configure Mach3 but am at a loss with the CAD software. I use Fusion 360 and Inkscape for CAD but cannot figure out how to get them to generate the GCode for a curved surface for Mach3. Are there extension/plug-ins available for these programs or do I need to get different software. Any advice will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Doug

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser not cutting on axis

« on: November 14, 2020, 05:32:14 PM »

Thanks. Checked a couple of of them. Seems to work so I got myself a coolant tube that I'll mount on the laser.
Watch this space.
Cheers

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser not cutting on axis

« on: November 09, 2020, 05:32:48 AM »

Tried that. Got a small improvement with a shorter focus but not able to completely eliminate the problem. Given that the problem moved from one axis to another when I rotated the laser head indicates the problem is mostly with the laser head.
However I find keeping the lens clean helps a bit. It gets dirty quickly.
I have heard of compressed air being used on the cut but not sure how to set that up or if it will have any effect.
Does anybody have any ideas?