Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Jerky

« on: October 20, 2014, 09:04:36 AM »

I just got done upgrading my machine leadscrews. When carving lettering, specifically in the curves, my machice seems to be very jerky. When it's on straight lines on the X or Y, it's smooth. I was told on another forum that I should be running my Accel at less than the Velocity. Right now it's set at 50 on the Velocity and 10 on the Accel. Before the upgrades, I used to run the Accel higher than the Velocity and seemed to be much smoother. What should I do? I am running Vcarve pro and Mach3.
Thank's Mike

2

General Mach Discussion / Machine is possessed

« on: April 29, 2014, 05:41:18 PM »

Got one of the very few problems I have had with my machine. Yesterday, I was carving pine trees on some 2x6 cedar boards, and the machine at the finish of the cut just kept going farther than the end point. It did fine on the first board and then did that on the second. Then on the third try, it carved the tree too narrow. All this was done with the same G-Code file. Then this morning, I went out and thought I would try carving just a rectangle with inverted corners. Did the first board just fine again, then on the second try it started just fine. As it kept going, it appeared that it was carving deeper than it should. By the time I got it stopped, it had went almost half way down through the board. I'm fairly certain it's not the G-Code. I'm using VCarve Pro 6.5 and Mach3 controller software. I wonder if it could be my controller box or maybe a file somehow got corrupted in Mach3.
Any ideas or ever experienced this before?
Thanks Mike

3

General Mach Discussion / Blue Screen of Death

« on: November 05, 2012, 03:25:09 PM »

Well, just got my operating system and Mach3 reinstalled after I encountered the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death". Like a dummy, I didn't record my Mach3 settings last time and it's been over a year since I've had to do this. I'm recording everything this time though. My problem is that my machine is apparently moving in metric instead of inches. I told Mach to move it 1" and it only moved 1/4". I thought my steppers sounded funny. I set the inches first thing. It still is saying it's in inches, but if it moves 1/4 of that, isn't that in metric? I'm running the 305 steppers from Hobby CNC and 10 single start screws.
Thanks Mike 

4

General Mach Discussion / Uneven cut on letters

« on: February 13, 2011, 08:27:25 PM »

I'm getting an uneven cut on letters in some spots. Everything is snug with no play on the machine, with all axis running smoothly. I noticed when it changes direction it has a bit of a jolt to it. I have Exact Stop enabled, with CV unchecked.
Acme 10 single start screws with Dumpster leadnuts
305 steppers 1/4 stepped
At present I'm running at 35 IPM on all axis

5

General Mach Discussion / Newbie Question

« on: January 13, 2011, 11:39:29 AM »

Hi, I'm new to this and just got my machine to the point where I'm jogging and checking the axis'. My question is when the jog is set at 50%, does that mean that it is running at 50% of what it would versus if it were reading and running a G-Code? Just don't want to have it take off and self destruct. What recommendation do you have for first timers. I know you will say, watch the videos, which I have. It's going to take me several times of watching them before it sinks in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike

6

General Mach Discussion / First test on new machine build question

« on: January 08, 2011, 06:31:18 PM »

Just got my new 3' x 5'  3- axis leadscrew machine all hooked up with Mach3. I was jogging the different axis and noticed a couple of things. It seems to be running nice and smooth, so I think all components are adjusted fairly close. The A-axis is slaved with  X, and noticed sometimes when I first hit the jog button on the X-axis, the steppers seem to stall at first, no matter where the gantry is on the X screws. Then when I hit the button again it takes off and runs smooth. It only does it after it sits for a minute or so. After I get it going it seems fine, even if I reverse direction. As long as I keep it going it's fine, but when I leave it sit for a short period, it will stall at first.
  Also, I am new to CNC and not real sure what the steppers should sound like. I noticed that the Y-axis stepper seems to have a higher pitched sound than the others. Is that normal. It seems to be running very smooth though. The machine has 1/2 x 10 Acme (single start) on the X and 3/8 x 10 on the Y and Z. It's running 305 steppers. I tried slowing down accel and velocity and didn't help. I know it's something real simple, maybe just a fine adjustment somewhere. I'm hoping the CNC vets will share their wisdom with me.

Thank's Mike

7

General Mach Discussion / No motor movememt

« on: November 24, 2010, 12:15:54 PM »

Hi, I'm new to CNC and I've got the 4-axis pro board from Hobby CNC. I've got the board all set up. Getting all the correct voltage settings from the board. Ports and pins as far as I can tell are correct. Stepper motors are wired correctly, as per instructions. Been watching the video and have the manual and as far as I can tell, everything is set right, but when I use the up and down keys, no motor movement at all. When I hit the X-axis button, and use the up and down keys, I get readout on the Y-axis. But no motor movement. The step and direction pin settings I used, I got off from the circut board. I'm using the A-axis as the slave to the X. Any help will be greatly appreciated.  

Mike