Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / XML files

« on: November 12, 2008, 12:32:00 AM »

I know this is probably a dumb question, but how does one "read","interpret", "understand" a XML file, or is that some kind of black majic?     mjh  

2

General Mach Discussion / setting up mach3 and hobbycnc switches ,limits etc.

« on: November 11, 2008, 01:53:05 PM »

I have been trying to set up my switches . I am new to cnc and built the "joe's 2006 machine last winter together with thehobbycnc 4 axis controler. the machine uses mach3 and sheetcam. The machine is operational .

I am trying to set up my switches with very little success. I have followed to a tee the PDF tutorial and ended up with problems .So then I tried the video tutorial at the mach3 site and copied the various sheets and instructions , problem as I see it is the tutorial sheets do not agree with the sheets seen in the video .Neither seem to work for me , I get "request for external E stop" or "software limit" and others e stop signals which do not seem to be alluded to anywhere so the couses cannot be diagnosed .any help appreciated....mjh  

3

General Mach Discussion / setup tutorial

« on: October 27, 2008, 12:11:25 PM »

I am trying to set up my machine ,in particular soft limits per the setup tutorial. I end up with several questions .
I am attempting to use just 3 switches only.

Under "Homing parameters" I am assuming when referring to figure 11 they actually mean figure 12 [bottom of page]

In figure 12 the first column "reversed" first of all what does "reversed refer to ? secondly tutorials I have seen show X,Y,and Z enabled .

Z in the "softmax" column is zero and in the "soft min" column a negative value, is this correct ?

As the Z axis zero is at the upper limit of travel when the tool decends should the DRO be reading positive or negative levels ?

Lastly is the soft limits button always on when doing any machining operation or only on [operational] during jogging? 

 

4

General Mach Discussion / RESCALING

« on: October 07, 2008, 01:03:45 AM »

I am a novice, let that be a warning. I recently upgraded my Mach software with much help from this group. today I ran my machine off of gcode developed from sheetcam. I am in the middle of trying to configure the machine.

So I made a cad drawing brought it into sheetcam which made the G code which in turn was introduced into mach3.I ran the machine and cut an "air" piece. I would like to increase the size of the piece, rescale it that is I have no idea how to do this or for that matter where it should be done .should it be done in the orignal drwaing ,sheetcam or mach3 . Perhaps it is all three but the most efficient way would be nice.....Any help appreciated sorry for the rather rudimentary question

5

General Mach Discussion / reinstalling mach3

« on: September 28, 2008, 10:00:28 PM »

how to reinstall mach3.................mike hide

6

General Mach Discussion / lost enable.dll

« on: September 28, 2008, 03:28:50 PM »

Hey guys and girls ,I have "lost" enable.dll .how can I get it back or do I need to reinstall Mach 3  ?

7

General Mach Discussion / program quits at 5K line every time

« on: September 26, 2008, 01:22:18 AM »

I am  novice and inserted a string of g code generated in sheetcam ,it is about 35K lines but consistently quits operation at precisely 5000lines.Is there some kind of "stop" at 5000 lines that is intentionally included or perhaps I have somehow triggered. Any help appreciated

8

General Mach Discussion / layers

« on: August 24, 2008, 05:41:00 PM »

I have a drawing in sheetcam with muliple layers, what order does Mach perform operations on then ,should they be numbered or are they performed as they are listed .....?   regards mike hide