Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Problem with computer running mach3

« on: May 31, 2011, 09:48:44 PM »

Hey Guys,

I'm having a problem with my setup, hope you guys can help. The problem is that the stepper motors don't step smoothly when I jog an axis (or any other time for that matter). I believe the issue is with the computer trying to keep up. I had the mill up and running for a year or two now and then the computer died. I bought a replacement computer and am having issues. I worry that the new computer I bought will not work. It is a flat panel, Intel Atom N455 1.66G PC. It came preinstalled with windows 7. I went through, installing mach3 using the vista instructions. I think I will install XP on the machine and see where that gets me.

What all do you guys think?

Ahh, yes, and when I installed mach3 the first time, several years ago, there was some documentation that optimized the computer to run and not be interrupted. Is there such documentation for win7?

Thanks,
Adam

2

General Mach Discussion / Machine Zero

« on: December 24, 2009, 09:26:55 PM »

I have a problem setting up a program from time to time. I import gcode into mach3 from mastercam. The gcode's origin becomes the machine zero origin and not the G54 origin as intended, whatever I do, I can't change it. Fiddling with the "Program #" in mastercam has fixed the problem before but it is fairly sporadic. .  I tried zeroing all the work offsets, G55+ to a new zero but it didn't help. . . I think there is something I am missing. Thanks!

3

General Mach Discussion / homing/limit setup

« on: December 24, 2009, 03:10:07 PM »

Hey,

I'm trying to get my machine setup with homing and limit switches. I have the hardware setup- one switch per axis to control +,-, and home, wired closed until tripped.

The problem I am having is that when I home the machine, it jogs until it hits the switch, backs off it but stops prematurely. It doesn't go far enough to untrip the switch.

What can I do to remedy my problem?

 Thanks!
Thorp

4

General Mach Discussion / Status Light Setup

« on: April 13, 2009, 11:31:32 AM »

Hi

I'd like to make a status light for my machine. . . like the industrial machines have. Green for running, red when idle, off for off.

I've got the hardware figured out but I'm fairly new with mach3. Can someone help me out? And where is a good resource for learning scripts and macros etc.

Thanks,
Adam

5

General Mach Discussion / Problem; rapid at end of op

« on: November 22, 2008, 10:24:50 PM »

I've ran into a problem and I'm not sure if mach3 is to blame, mastercam, or most likely, me.

The machine is an X3 that I recently converted to CNC.

The problem is that at the end of the operation, the machine decides to go somewhere instead of straight up and stop. The first time, I was pocketing and at the very end the machine rapided to another xy coordinate and snapped the bit. The second time, the machined rapided up, then  over and then back down partially into the part, ejecting the part.

So I guess my question is what dictates where the machine goes at the very end of the operation? I don't know what safeZ is. Could that possibly help?

Thanks,
Adam

6

General Mach Discussion / First chips; My PP woes?

« on: November 04, 2008, 12:56:19 PM »

So I finally made my first chips.

I'm having a problem that is possibly post processor related but I really don't know.

I'm running mastercam v8.2 and mach3. Default fanuc post processor. I've tried downloading two other post processors intended for mastercam and mach3 but they freeze up when I try to post. I would guess they're meant for a later version of mastercam?

The first thing the machine does is g0x0y0 and then plunge g1z-.08. It backs up and then continues on with what it is suppose to do. The initial plunge was not programmed in nor intended. It is suppose to start with pocketing two holes at a different location.  I've verified with mastercam and can't figure out what the problem is.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Adam

7

General Mach Discussion / Spindle Control

« on: October 19, 2008, 03:12:21 PM »

Hi,

I'm trying to setup my mill with spindle control. I think I have the hardware setup correctly but my issue is getting anything out of my BOB (cnc4pc - c11g). I've gone into Ports&Pins -> Motor Outputs, enabled the spindle and set the port and pin. I went to Ports&Pins -> Spindle Setup and enabled the spindle and set it to step/dir. I've tried playing with the tuning of the motor in Motor Tuning -> Spindle.

I'm checking the system by issuing a m3s2000 in MDI and looking for a blinking light and the pin.

Any help greatly appreciated,
Adam

8

General Mach Discussion / Setup help much abliged!

« on: September 24, 2008, 01:56:09 AM »

Hey,

I just got my new build up and am having a couple problems. The first being that the computer I'm running Mach3 from (and only mach3. . . it's a fresh windows install) will tend to sit in the "Windows is shutting down" screen indefinitely. I have a feeling its trying to do something with the parallel port pins but I really have know idea. I'm using a PCI card to get the parallel cable and I'm confident that the drivers are up to date. Any ideas on what is going on?

And the second problem that I am having is everything I do is scaled down. ie 1 inch is .2 inches. Mach3 is set to inches. The ball screws I am running are 5 rot/in and the steppers are 200 steps/rev. Under motor tuning, I've got mach3 set to 1000 steps/unit. I don't know what the difference is between full stepping/halfstepping/microstepping. Can someone please explain? I am running G203v drivers.

While I'm here, I'd also like to ask. . . what's the right way to change directions on an axis. For instance, my Y goes in when I want it to go out.

Thanks and I apologize for the basic questions,
Adam

9

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 freezeing/simulation mode

« on: August 21, 2008, 11:33:59 AM »

Hi,

I recently bought and downloaded mach3. I am running it on my desktop that currently does not have a parallel printer port. I plan on buying a PCI card with one soon but I still wanted to test the product out, without the parallel port.

On multiple occasions the machine would freeze. I tried installing the "special driver" and that did not help. When I first installed the software I did not check the "simulation mode".

Am I having problems because I have no parallel port and am not running in simulation mode or is there something else going on here? In addition to the freezing, I was having trouble jogging the axis. I went through the tutorials and believe I did everything right and am also attributing this to not actually running a cnc machine. Is there a way to easily go in and out of "simulation mode"?

Thank you for your time,
Adam