Topics

1

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Bass Boat Dash Plates

« on: June 23, 2010, 12:06:49 PM »

Here are a few pictures of a few dashboard plates that I made for my nephew this morning..
I got a new In Groove milling tool last week and wanted to try them out so far they are working great.I have not used some of the profiling bits that came in the set yet but am drawing up a few things to cut with them..
 Oh and just remembered that I had posted some of the same drawings a few weeks back but this is a different material and a few changes in the design..
Hope the pics are OK..
Gary

2

Tangent Corner / IN-Groove Carbide Indexed Routing tools

« on: June 22, 2010, 10:16:51 PM »

Has anyone tried these, they are by amana Tool company.I just got a set last week for my router and have only used one of the .030 tip x 30 degree bits in it so far but man they cut nice with the right  feed and speeds.
   I bought the 1/2 inch router shank set that comes with 7 different styles of bits.So far I have only used them on one job for engraving but , nice clean cut running 60 IPM and 10000 rpm on the router  I cant wait to try out the different slot cutters that came with the tool.  And also they will custom cut any angle or profile you need.. Nice set from what I have done with it so far. And since you only change the tip its all nice carbide and  only 19 bucks for most inserts, And you never know with some looking around I might be able to find them cheaper somewhere on sale..here is a link for a video on them  http://www.amanatool.com/ingroove/
And I do not work for them or sell them or anything I just wanted feedback on them.  ALso just wanted to add that only the engraving bits are indexed so no need to re-set zero, I thought when I got them ALL of the bits had the same Zero length..Still need to zero the other style bits..
Gary

3

General Mach Discussion / Little help Please

« on: June 11, 2010, 07:42:35 PM »

I just had a computer  crash  but  luckily I had a backup of all files on Mach and am using a different laptop.I was using a Toshiba with the smoothstepper .And I have copied my Licence file in so that Is working it is licensed to me on start up.
  I copied the XML file into the Mach directory where the old one was. I ran the driver test and get great strem sometimes and too high sometimes ,but found a thread to fix that , But my question is what file is the PORTS AND PINS configuration in? I thought that was the XML file , but when I open Mach and check the pin configuration everything is blank nothing checked pins not noted or anything. SOOO nothing runs and I know there is a file somewhere that I can copy to Mach from my old backup..
  So which file do I need to put in Mach to get the ports and pins to change?
Thanks
Gary

4

General Mach Discussion / GO TO ZERO question

« on: July 18, 2009, 10:26:38 PM »

How do I get the Z axis to come to clearance BEFORE X and Y move to Zero position without manually lifting the tool to clearance before hitting the go to Zero Button?
Is there a script or macro I can change for that?
Thanks
Gary

5

SmoothStepper USB / Smoothstepper and Mach problems

« on: July 18, 2009, 10:17:16 PM »

Seems like I have to shut down Mach 3 before re-loading a program because If I do any jogging to get to a position or change to run a different program Mach OR Smoothstepper wants to keep offsets loaded then all hell breaks loose when I run a different program.
   Also when I use the auto zero tool to set Z zero (it does fine) then it wants to drop into the part over an inch then come back up unless I re-start mach after I use the auto zero tool..
  For some reason it wants to keep the ofsets in the program and I cant zero it out unless I re-start Mach..
  Not sure if it smoothstepper or mach , but I never had the problem until I added the smoothstepper..
 It hard to explain exactly what it does but to run a program I need to zero everything with the part THEN re-start mach , do not save the fixture then, start mach to run a program correctly..
  It might be something stupid that I am doing but I am going to have to go back to the videos again to see if its me or the program...
Gary

6

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / My New Router Gantry Build

« on: June 03, 2009, 09:28:47 PM »

OK  back on my build again but actually getting some progress made , I have the Y Z Gantry almost finished just need to attach the router and one bearing support on the bottom of the Z axis backplate,, ANY opinions are welcomed , this is my first metal router , I stripped the wood router and threw it out to make room for the new one.. The X plane is going to be able to cut approx 48 inches..
  And I am welcoming ANY opinions before I get this finished, I did hook the servos up to my control and I am really happy with the results I can jog back and Fourth up and down the hit go to zero and it has been coming back to zero without any noticeable backlash using my micrometer..I know that is not under a load but so far so good..
Gary

7

General Mach Discussion / Joining_linear-rails?

« on: April 29, 2008, 03:08:46 PM »

Can_linear-rails_be_connected_end_to_end_without_loss_in_accuracy_or_will_they_bounce_when_
going_over_the_joint?
I_am_going_to_re-build_my_wood_router_and_use_a_steel_tubing_frame_like_a_shop-bot_after_building_
one_with_an_MDF_frame_I_just_dont_get_the_quality_of_cuts_with_it_in_MDF_like_I_wanted_and_pretty_much_new_
that_this_was_a_prototype_anyway_but_I_want_to_go_with_linear_beaarings_this_time_and_have_seen_a_lot_
of_smaller_pairs_of_linear_bearings_that_If_they_will_work_if_I_connect_end_to_end_will_save_me_some_money_on_bearings..
Thanks
Gary

8

General Mach Discussion / Using_MM_Ballscrews_with_Inches

« on: April 06, 2008, 09:54:14 PM »

I_have_been_looking_on_ebay_for_router_parts_but_have_not_read_anyone_ask_if_you_can_use_a_Metric_ballscrew_
on_a_system_running_inches_and_how_can_you_calculate_steps_with_Metric_threads_and_still_run_Inches_in_Mach3
Thanks
GaryV

9

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / .EPS_Conversion

« on: April 01, 2008, 05:16:53 PM »

Does_anyone_know_what_to_use_to_convert_.EPS_ext._files_to_DXF_or_tiff?
Thanks
Gary

10

General Mach Discussion / Encoder_info_help

« on: March 07, 2008, 10:07:02 AM »

I_picked_up_a_few_servo_motors_on_ebay_last_week_and_need_an_encoder_it_had_a_tach_not_an_encoder_
and_the_other_one_is_a_Hirata_servo_with_a_DAITO_encoder_but_the_outputs_are_A-Signal_B-Signal-and_a_Z-signal_
Will_this_encoder_work_if_so_what_configuration_wouldI_use?
--I_am_running_gecko_320s_but_cant_get_this_encoder_to_work_
The_motor_starts_running_as_soon_as_I_engage_the_drivers_
The_motor_does_change_directions_and_slows_down_when_I_jog_but_seems_like_I_cant_get_the_encoder_to_work>
Also_where_can_I_get_a_few_regular_TTL_encoders>
I_have_not_seen_that_many_on_ebay_with_the_right_shaft_size_or_configuration?
Thanks_and_sorry_for_the_underlines_bad-keyboard_in_garage
GaryV