Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Keyboard control lost

« on: March 16, 2024, 08:02:32 AM »

Using Mach3 yesterday after a pause for lunch I found that I had lost the ability to move the mill spindle using the arrow keys on the keyboard. I had been using it earlier in the session without problems.
 I tried a different keyboard still no movement?. The spindle moves correctly using the MDI screen and when running a program.
 I normally use the keyboard to zero the Z axis and its loss makes things difficult.
Anyone able to help?
Malcolm Smith

2

General Mach Discussion / Write Wizard

« on: August 29, 2022, 04:15:18 PM »

It must be 5 years since I last used Mach 3 and I am pleased to see Graham Waterworth is still on the forum.
My problem is trying to use the Write Wizard. Initial problem is naming the code generated by Write so that I can find it again.
Can someone get me straightened out on this please
Malcolm Smith

3

General Mach Discussion / Attachments

« on: February 18, 2017, 04:28:50 PM »

 
I have read the section on attachments but find one area has not been considered.
After three attempts to send some files I have failed but now unsure what to do.
First error ' an unacceptable extension'
Correct the extension and send again. Error 'file of that name as already been sent, rename files'
Did this and now the error is ' this message as already been sent'.
Problem is you cannot see what has been accepted or what is causing the error nor how to restart.

What is my problem and how do I overcome it.

Malcolm S

4

General Mach Discussion / Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 07, 2017, 06:01:25 PM »

My pentium3 used to run mach3 using windows 2000. After battery problems due to a long period of no use it was repaired and was loaded with windows XP. This runs slowly compared with W2000 and I have not been able to drive my mill so far. It runs at 735Mhz. When my controller is switched on the spindle rotates at a reasonable speed but cannot be controlled. If I run driver test I get an error report 'Cannot find vectors' 'Pulsing too fast'. Pin settings do not seem to have any effect on the mill but do alter LEDs on the Diagnostics display.
Is this computer/XP not able to drive the mill or is it a setup problem?. Is a special parallel port requied.

T.M.Smith

5

FAQs / LazyCam Help

« on: October 27, 2015, 06:16:56 PM »

Two questions, first I have managed to lose the LazyCam window which enables the layers to be set. Cant get it back by reloading. How do I get it back please?

Secondly my Email address in Profiles is out of date; can I just amend it in my profile or will this upset anything.
Sorry if this turns up in the wrong place but it is a long time since I used the forum.

T M Smith

6

General Mach Discussion / Laser Power

« on: February 14, 2011, 03:17:02 PM »

The other day I saw a laser (controlled I think by Mach3) cutting shapes from 1/16" steel sheet, very interesting.
A couple of questions come to mind which I am sure someone can answer.
What power/type laser would be required to cut up to 1/8" steel?
Can a laser repeat the cut to cut thicker metal?

I have spent some time looking through the Forum but not found the answers

Thanks M Smith

7

Feature Requests / Download Options

« on: October 08, 2008, 05:22:22 PM »

Got to get a post in to prevent relegation.
I find it tedious to get rid of the green markers (ie read/view  mails that are of no interest).
The best example would be the foriegn language sections.
Would it be a worthwhile idea to for members to be able to subscribe to the subjects they want to read rather than getting everything
all the time

T M Smith

8

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Display problem maybe?

« on: June 18, 2008, 06:31:36 PM »

I am programming a small frame which contains 3 lines of text. The lines of text and the frame are arranged as 4 subroutines called from the main program. Each line of text has been run as an independant program and works OK.
When 'assembled' and using G52 to locate each line of text within the frame I have a problem.
When the program is loaded to a newly started-up Mach3 the text is correctly positioned in the frame but when I engrave it on the screen it 'cuts' at a completely different place, not on top of the displayed text.
Subsequently, after a toolpath regen the text is out of position but engraving is cut on top of the displayed text.
I have played with the coding and cannot improve the situation!!

Is this a known problem or is it likely to be my coding? I have not tried cutting this on the workshop mill yet.

TMSmith

9

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Subroutine attempt

« on: May 28, 2008, 06:52:03 PM »

I am trying to use a subroutine to produce several copies of a part on a single piece of plate but with no obvious progress.
So far this is on the study PC not in the workshop.
Using the manual and answers on this type of problem given in the Forum I have written a program to cut two squares by calling a subroutine twice. If I run this program the sequence seems to jump the subroutine. If I single step through the program it still seems to skip the subroutine. If I start single stepping in the sub-routine it appears to execute correctly.

So my first question is - can such a program be single stepped through OK in Mach3 when correctly programmed?
I have also noticed that generally M98 & M99 are used but sometimes examples use G98 G99; are these typing errors?
Neither version helped me though.

tmsmith

10

LazyCam (Beta) / Text offsetting

« on: February 29, 2008, 05:31:01 PM »

Can anyone help me out with this problem.
I am using V,X and I to create the roman numerals on a clock dial.
Using Times New Roman font in LC I can drag the letters (approx 5/8 in tall) into a frame, select them and offset to the inside so all raised material is removed from inside the letter by the 0.75mm cutter.  They will later be filled with wax.
However if I load the clockface DXF into LazyCam then drag the letters 'onto' the clockface dxf I can select them but offsetting the cut on the inside does not work, no code being generated,
Doubling the scale or reducing cutter size does not help either.
Has anyone overcome  this difficulty or can see a way to pocket the letters.

tmsmith