Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Jerky movement running code, but jog is OK!

« on: July 14, 2015, 08:17:43 PM »

I have a client system running Mach3 on a router:

32 bit Windows XP SP3
On-board parallel port
PMDX boards interfacing between PC and OEM controller cabinet
Stepper motor/ballscrew axis drives

Problem: After a 4 month period, trying to run previously proven code, the machine axis moves are jerky when running code, but move normal in jog mode.

I have read various threads with similar symptoms, and have applied, or checked for the many solutions presented in those threads... with no improvement on this system.

Items checked:
CV-Exact Stop, and Look Ahead setting in Config (no change)
G8 entry in code (none present)
G1 after previous G0 (correctly placed in code)
Motor tuning Vel and Acc set correctly for previous proven code runs
Driver Test reports System Excellent
Re-installed most recent Mach3 release

Initialization in code:
G20G64G17
G90
G91.1

Non of the equipment was powered up during any storms/blackout/brownout

Attached are the .xml, and a video of the X-Y axis jerkiness while running code

I have run out of ideas for checking a system that ran fine the last time it was powered up.

Any help ideas will be tried quickly and results reported back here.

Thanks, Paul

2

General Mach Discussion / Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 03:06:24 AM »

First, I apologize for hijacking this thread... but it is so close to what I'm going through, it didn't seem worth starting a fresh thread.

Also a Chinese machine converted from factory pendant/controller to Mach3, but using PMDX boards... Also at about 90% (spindle speed is not linear).

Trying to cut two sided 3D item out of wood blocks, using code generated by MeshCam Art V5. Code proofs fine in CutViewer.

Problem has been Y-axis losing position, so when other side is machined, it is out of register. Now the Z-axis is losing position, and has both gone above and below reference zero.

Have systematically eliminated heay load electric equipment in the shop. upgraded line filtering power strip for the computer. cleaned and lubed slideways.

Stepper motor tuning steps calculated using a 1" dial indicator. Velocity originally set to manufacture's listed "working speed", but slowed down to 90% as part of troubleshooting. Acceleration... adjusted for 45 degree ramps (I read somewhere years ago). Z-axis motor specs are way different than XY.

Anyway, have been making a lot of chips without a useable sample so far. Any nudge toward identifying the source would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/628157563/cnc_tombstone_engraving_machine.html

3

General Mach Discussion / Rectangular Pockets have curved ends

« on: June 14, 2013, 02:05:34 AM »

While trying to troubleshoot a gaining/losing step problem, I developed a test block code, hoping to help identify the problem... to be subject of another thread.

The current issue is the actual run produces odd curved ends on what should be rectangular ended slots. I thought it was a result of Constant Velocity, so changed to Exact Stops, and the problem got worse.

The cutter is a 4FL 1/4" carbide ball mill held in an ER11 on-size fractional collet, running at 19000 rpm, 175 ipm, 0.3125" depth per pass,in soft fir... so deflection shouldn't be a factor.

The attached pics show the run result, TurboCAD/CAM path and simulation, and CutViewer simulation. I also checked the code, and it defines rectangular paths.

Dial indicator check shows no backlash. Mach3 ver .066.

Any suggestions?

4

General Mach Discussion / Unexpected Crop Circles

« on: May 18, 2013, 03:48:08 AM »

I've been away from Mach3 for a few years, so am frantically clearing mental cobwebs...

I have a problem with my first major attempt with Mach3.

3D G-code generated from STL model using the latest version of MeshCAM. Code proofed in CutViewerMill... all good.

Run code on Mach3 R3.043.066 install on CNC router, runs great, then suddenly takes off in a large circle.

The stray tool path occurs at a G2/G3 IJ code line, and behaves like it loses reference for absolute IJ distances. There is a G90 line at the start of code.

Attached pic shows a large circle that occured while running at approx line 1800. The smaller circle happened when restarting the  code.

Any suggestions?

5

LazyCam (Beta) / LazyCam Pro 2.55 Offsets

« on: October 18, 2007, 10:57:22 AM »

Hi Art & Brian,

Finally getting back to testing Lcam with the latest version 2.55...

I'm still having problems with offsets on my test dxf, trying to offset on the outside contour. I can offset inside with no problem. However, when I try to offset outside, Lcam won't create the chains if I use a 0.125" tool diameter. I tried other tool diameters with mixed results:

0.0625" => outside offset created
0.1250" => outside offset not created
0.1875" => outside offset not created
0.2500" => outside offset created
0.3750" => outside offset created

Still looking for the option to do spot drill and cycle drill from drill circles. Is there a chance the original drill circle could be persistant, then manually deleted after drill options are completed... similar to Offsets?

I've added a screenshot of artifacts that are created when I click "Clean".

Thanks,
Paul, Central OR

6

LazyCam (Beta) / LCam Pro ver 2.05

« on: June 01, 2007, 10:50:10 PM »

Hi Art,

Here's what I got...

Still no Offsets actually created. But I do like the tab icons! 

Also noticed it is trying to do climb milling, even tho "Clockwise" is unchecked.

Thanks, Paul, Central OR

7

LazyCam (Beta) / LazyCam Icons

« on: May 26, 2007, 06:48:34 PM »

Hi Brian,

Here are some icons I threw together for your consideration. They are in .bmp format, but I can save them in any file format you need.

Thanks again for all the good work...

Paul, Central OR

8

Mach Screens / New Screen4 Mis-behavin'

« on: November 26, 2006, 03:54:26 PM »

I've been having problems with the new scrolling Screen4 (MachSupport Download Page)... While trying to assign hot-keys to Page 50 (MachSilverBluse.set), I can't select button properties with either right click or left double click. Occaisionally I get a properties dialog, but it's for the background image. Also, when left clicking on the buttons, the handles do not appear for any manipulation.

Oddly, one session allowed me to get access to the button dialogs, but after entering the hot-key the button object moved down about 32 pixels and wouldn't let me reselect it.

I downloaded the old non-scrolling Screen4 from the ArtSoft Download Page and installed it, and I can modify buttons normally.

Is there any known conflict with installed apps that would effect the behavior of the new Screen4?

Paul, Central OR

9

Mach Screens / Layered Objects in Screen4

« on: July 13, 2006, 01:15:37 PM »

I modified the 1024.set file for a new Toolpath Screen (Page 3). I'm not grasping how to layer objects so buttons, etc. are on top of bitmaps.

Using Bitmaps to Back seems to effect all pages... when adjusting Page 3 bitmaps (grey panel to go behind buttons, etc.), I lose the material graphic on the Offsets Page (Page 7). So, I modified BackgroundToolpath2.jpg rather than float a separate grey panel .jpg.

Additionally, the small 20x20 objects in the upper left corner have moved to the front. And there is a grey bitmap covering "Ticker0" in Mach3 that doesn't show in Screen4. It is partially covering a button I added.

Here's what I ended up with:

http://www.coinet.com/~pwc/Mach3Screen/PaulWC.zip

Any help or pointers on how to tidy up the display for Mach3 would be *greatly* appreciated. 

Paul, Central OR