Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Debugging printer to controller communications

« on: December 03, 2006, 10:25:13 PM »

We are trying to debug what appears to be a problem between the computor 25 pin parallel port and the controller 25db input.
We are running a 3GHz Celeron with 150g hard drive, 1Gb ram, MAch2 with a xlyotex controller on a small shark cnc.
The machine runs and stops intermittently, We have checked ALL switches and connections and are quite sure the problom is either the computor parallel port or the controller. the questions are: !. does the setup in Mach2 when setting the ports and pins screen change the pins from the setup that drives a parallel printer? We can look at the signals when the printer is run with an interface monitor and see the signals as the printer prints ok. 2. Does the reasignment of the ports and pins  in mach2 change the pinouts from the setup for the printer? Assuming (dangerous to do) that the parallel port sends signals to the controller, we should be able to monitor the drive signals to the controller as the router is running. There are some signals that are fed through ( limit and home signals) that are NOT involved. Without a pinout of the controller inputs and verificationof the data being sent to the controller it is difficult to determine if the computor parallel port is not working or the controller is not. When the programm is run it runs very erratic and jumps out of sequence. We have been throught the checking of the switches and are confident the problem is in the data transfer. Help!!!

2

General Mach Discussion / Progam stopping in mid-run

« on: November 30, 2006, 12:20:52 PM »

We are having a problem with programs stopping during a run. Thr steppers just stop and the RESET button (on the Mach2 screen) starts flashing
and the program and the router stops. On the screen we can click on the RESET button and click on CYCLE START and the program runs from that point. After 30/50 seconds the same thing repeats. This occurs on other programs likewise. We have checked the cables and voltages and are normal per the trouble shooting guide. This acts just as we stopped the machine by clicking the RESET button or PAUSE and then continued on clicking the flashing RESET button and clicking on the CYCLE START. We can monitor the pins, etc with a scope or line signal test but do not know what to look for. Any comment or suggestions will be greatly appreciated..TNX Technicrdd & TNX--We are running Mach2 with G-code from BobCad/BobCam, 3 mhz processor, windows XP. controller is xylotex 3 axis,

3

General Mach Discussion / Post Processor for Mach3/Mach2

« on: November 20, 2006, 08:04:31 PM »

Will the post proccessor used in MAch2 work in Mach3? If not Why? We are waiting for the newer one to upgrade to Mach3.

4

General Mach Discussion / Configure Homing Switches

« on: November 20, 2006, 02:05:28 PM »

We are having trouble with homing switch failures due to overtravel before the axis backs off. Have reset the homing speed to 10% . Would like to know if there is a way to set the backoff distance from the limit switch when the switch is actvated. The manual section 5.7.1.1 itells how but have not been able to stop the axis hitting the limit switches and causing failure due to overtravel. the switches are small  microswitches with a lever arm as the actuator...TNX

5

General Mach Discussion / Setting feed rates

« on: November 19, 2006, 11:36:53 PM »

In the Mach2Mill manual 6.2.5 RE: feed control family the the first part 6.2.5.1 states' using the F DRO speed as actual rate" but the speed rate will be less than the DRO setting if the maximum permitted speed is set. Where is the maximum speed set? If the setup in the feed control family is set (figure 6.7) as the units/min set to 1.00. does this mean the feed rate will be 60IPM? Subsequently if we put a F 200 in a G program line will it default bake to the 60IPM when runing the program?  We have this problem and are not sure how to correct. It appears that the  Feed Override (6.2.5.4) G code could be used but it would require care to not exceed the required cutting speed.

6

General Mach Discussion / best way to restart program after accidental Estop

« on: November 10, 2006, 08:48:18 AM »

We need to restart at the stopped position and continue the program. Do not have line numbers as were told Mach2 does not like line numbers(on one of the posts) . It is a problem to not restart at the stop point as we are in the last 20% of the cut. TNX rdd

7

General Mach Discussion / How to input the setover for the routing tool

« on: November 07, 2006, 02:26:41 PM »

Am having trouble getting the setover of a .250 ball end cutter setover (0.125").  I want the setover to be around 0.050". Can not tell where or the settings or offsets are to be used.  Can I do this in Mach2 or must I go back to the BobCad program to do the reset to a smaller setover, Help anyone!

8

General Mach Discussion / Need in house help with setups

« on: November 01, 2006, 03:33:37 PM »

  We need some help to expedite the setup of a small router system using Mach2/3. Located between CLE and Pittsburgh. Willing to pay for on site help. Must have current working experience with setup and programming.  Contact via email consultrdd@koolisp.com.