Topics

1

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Getting started with 3D scanning

« on: August 26, 2011, 03:48:07 AM »

I'm trying to get started with 3D scanning using my CNC router for the scanning movement.  I've purchased a webcam (Microsoft Lifecam Cinema) and a line laser (Apinex 03016AL).  In looking through the posts, I saw a drawing by Tom Hubin of a bracket that he used to hold the camera and laser, so I started to design a similar bracket for my hardware.  But there is something that is confusing me.  If the camera and laser are mounted on the same bracket, then the laser line will always be in exactly the same place in the camera's field of view.  Even if the CNC machine scans the setup back and forth,  the laser line never moves in the camera picture.  I would have thought that the camera would be fixed while the laser line moved.  That way the camera would see the laser line moving across the entire object being scanned.  But Tom has them mounted together.  From what I can tell, Art's setup does the same thing.

I don't understand.  I'm clearly missing something.  Can someone explain to me how it all works with the camera and laser moving together?

Thanks,
Mark

2

General Mach Discussion / Motor enable signal

« on: May 17, 2011, 01:26:41 AM »

I am using a Halo driver board for my CNC router.  This board requires an enable signal from the computer in order for the steppers to run.  On the "ports and pins" setup screen there are several enable signals that can be configured, but I can't find any documentation as to how they operate.  Obviously, I want an enable signal to be present when running a g-code program, but I also need it to be there for jogging, etc.  How do I configure Mach3 to generate this enable signal and to have it act the way I want it to.
Thanks,
Mark

3

General Mach Discussion / Axis calibration

« on: April 22, 2011, 12:33:48 AM »

I've seen mention of an axis calibration function.  I've looked through all of the pull-down menus but I can't find it.  Could someone tell me where it is located?
Thanks,
Mark

4

CVI MachStdMill (MSM) / Numbers in DRO's too big

« on: August 26, 2010, 06:00:49 PM »

I've installed MachStdMill beta 7 and the first thing that I noticed is that the numbers in the DRO's are too big.  They don't fit.  Is there a way to fix this?

Thanks,
Mark

5

General Mach Discussion / VB, screen 4, etc

« on: December 06, 2009, 04:58:43 PM »

Hi, Brian,
I'm trying to learn the VB scripting language (which I was surprised to learn is actually called Cypress Enable), screen 4, and other such stuff so I can customize Mach3 for my own use.  Am I wasting my time?  Is this all going to change with the big new release of Mach that you're working so feverishly on (Mach3 version 4, I believe)?  I already know that there will be some changes, but will they be big enough to make the documentation that I've been studying obsolete?  Please let me know if I've been spinning my wheels.
Thanks,
Mark

6

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / support for touch probes

« on: November 21, 2009, 09:56:29 PM »

I'm looking for software support hardware touch probes.  I would like software and/or screens that will use the probe to set up the machine to get ready run a job.  Things like determining the zero point for the work piece, determining the height of the work piece, seeing if it is at an angle, etc.  Also, things like finding the center of a hole or the center of a round work piece.  I did a search on this site and got lots of hits, but I couldn't tell if any of them did what I was looking for.  Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Mark

7

General Mach Discussion / Programming in Mach3

« on: August 18, 2009, 03:27:51 AM »

I'm interested in learning how to program screens, wizards and other such things in Mach3.  The programming doesn't scare me.  I've been a professional programmer for most of my career.  Furthermore, it appears to me that Mach3 is designed to have its interface modified by its users.  What I'm hoping is that someone can point out to me the tools, hooks, starting points and such that have already been provided to make these things as easy as possible.

It looks like the language to use if Visual Basic.  Will I have to go out and buy a copy of Microsoft's VB in order to work on this software?  What other tools will I need? 

Could someone act as a mentor for a moment or two and get me pointed in the right direction?

Thanks,
Mark