Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 12:34:00 PM »

Can someone point me to past posts regarding workspace parameters? To be more specific, can I work in the -X & -Y axis?...I currently have work that was drawn in -X Quadrant and I am assuming mach3 "software limits"are why it will not simulate or run the file. Thanks Colin

2

General Mach Discussion / Cannot get into Mach3

« on: November 18, 2008, 02:29:30 PM »

Everything was fine a few months ago, I just haven't had time to get out to the shop. Computer boots up but seems like it will not even go into windows. I may be in the wrong place here but, I purchased this computer "refurbished" solely for the purpose of running this mill with Mach3. Any idea's? Thanks Colin

3

General Mach Discussion / Sherline mode or not?

« on: July 31, 2008, 09:50:39 PM »

Hi, I have a questech cnc educational mill I retrofitted with PMDX 122 breakout board, PMDX 150 driver boards. The mill is a sherline with oriental PK 266-e2.0a 2-phase stepper motors w/1.8 deg. step. I have read quite a bit of the past posts regarding motor tuning and config. however, I am not clear whether or not I should be using the sherline mode. I am a little confused as to what it's function is. I have finally got these motors to work by jogging. I configured the boards for 1/8 step, which if I understand this correctly, computes to 32000 steps per. with a .050" worm. (200X20X8)
I set the steps per to 28000 and let mach fig. it for me from there and it computed a figure around 31950. It seems really accurate.

1. Do I leave what mach did or do I change it to 32000 even?
2. I did this tuning with the sherline mode activated, was this the right thing to do?
3. What is the best practical, reliable and accurate setting for me to use as a beginner?
4. I set my backlash for Y and seems to come back right on the money however, after finally getting X accurate, it wanted to go past my "zero" .001" each time. Y did not do that. Is this normal and/or can it be fixed? (Even though it is going past my "zero" check, it is also accounting for it, which is right)

Thanks for any help! Colin

4

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Wave form??

« on: July 23, 2008, 10:21:16 PM »

I have installed Mach3 on xp, had a wave form initially then lost it. How can I get it back?

5

General Mach Discussion / Should I scrap Vista for XP?

« on: May 28, 2008, 03:43:19 PM »

Is there anyone successfully using Vista with Mach3 2.0. I am a newbie with a newly retrofitted mill and I believe Vista is the problem. Thanks Colin

6

General Mach Discussion / Vista, Mach3 Help!

« on: May 27, 2008, 04:48:19 PM »

I am new to this stuff like many other folks and hoping to get some input as to why I cannot get mach3 which appears to be functioning according to the tutorials so far, will not run the motors on this initial start up. Someone has advised that I check to make sure the port I installed is working and to use parmon which is what I plan to do if I can figure it out, also he had me check to see if a printer would work to see if it was getting that far. Finally was able to get that to work but, still no response to the mill. My mill is a retrofitted Questech Micromill with PMDX 122 & 150's. Motors work if I use the test mode buttons on the boards, leds are showing to be normal "All is well and active".

I purchased a new HP PC/Vista with only usb ports, I was told to install this moschip parallel port, which I did along with the drivers and they too seem to be working according to Vista, I am lost and need some help! Thanks in advance for any help. Colin