Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / EStop Problem

« on: May 02, 2015, 12:18:02 AM »

Ever since I added an Ethernet Smooth Stepper I've had a problem with my Estop. When I hit the Estop the G540 stops the steppers but Mach 3 continues to run. I have to manually stop Mach and reset everything. I have the Estop wired to pin 10 as per the gecko illustration. I know I just probably missed something on the setup, but for all my searching I can't find the missing step. Anyone have any ideas? I usually find all my answers here without posting so I guess I'm a lurker. I finally get to jump in.
Thanks

2

General Mach Discussion / Reversed Setup

« on: January 23, 2015, 07:58:36 PM »

I know I've seen this question here, but I just can't find it now. So if someone knows where the answer is that I would very grateful. I have found that when I load a file from Vcarve Pro (v7.5) the program ends up reversed on Mach 3. Instead of being at the right front of the material it ends up at the back left of the material. My search words just aren't finding an answer. Thank You.

3

General Mach Discussion / Another confused Noob

« on: January 18, 2015, 01:58:05 AM »

I've been beating my head on my mill for three days, time to ask the Pros for help. My mechanical logic is no match for electronics logic.
I'm trying to set up my auto tool zero on Mach 3. I have a Gecko 540 intertwined with an ethernet SS. So far I've produced the necessary block and wiring, entered VB code into macro for auto zero button and then commenced banging head (mine not machines) on table. At best all I get is a slow move on the Z axis until it touches the block and I get an Estop signal. At that time I have to unplug the block and reset the Estop to get the machine to move.  I assumed that I have the port (1) and pin (13) correct since I get a signal to stop. Mach 3 tells me I cannot use the automated pin selector for the ethernet SS hence I have to guess at this point. Below is the macro code inserted under button edit command. I am just getting the mill setup after purchasing the SS and so far all the simple moves and programs are working.

CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate.
PlateThickness =2.040

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P3" 'Time to get to the z-plate, 3 seconds
Code "G90 G31 Z-2 F4" ' probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving()
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002)
Code "G1 Z" &ZProbePos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, PlateThickness)
Sleep(120)
Code "G0 Z2.785" 'Change the Z retract height here to what you want, must be higher than touch plate
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feedrate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)"
End If
Exit Sub   

Any further help or guidance would be greatly appreciated...I'm out of band aids for my forehead.

4

General Mach Discussion / Confused about Stepper Motors

« on: November 29, 2011, 12:26:22 AM »

I'm a long time lurker. I've not had much reason to ask questions about CNC stuff 'cause it's already here if I use search, but now I need to get help. I have built my third iteration CNC machine. It's all metal and solid as a rock. As I built it I tested everything slowly. When I was done I could rapid the three axises quite quickly with my battery hand drill. When I hooked up the steppers the rapid speeds were very slow. The best I can get is 65 ipm about a third of the speed of the cordless drill.  I've configured the steppers with Mach 3 and got them right on. When I go to tune the motors they lock up at realtively low speed. I was hoping with this setup to get over 100 ipm. Here are the specs:

Steppers - keling 425 oz wired in parallel/bipolar (x and Y axis) 1 pacific scientific 265 oz parallel/bipolar (Z axixs)
Power supply - 24 V at 10.5 Amps
Driver - Toshiba 5650 - 4 axis (I have 2 steppers as direct drives on my X axis) 
ballscrews - 25mm at 5 tpi
The table is 4 ft by 3 ft.

Anyone have any ideas? I'll get the xml file tomorrow and post it.

Thanks for the help,

Richard B.

5

General Mach Discussion / Smooth Stepper

« on: July 24, 2010, 03:16:08 AM »

As a rookie at CNCing, I'm still learning a lot. So far I've drilled through my sacrifice board to the table...several times, fried one controller fried one power supply and wasted a lot of material. But there's hope I did cut two very good circles a couple of weeks ago! Since I am replacing my power supply and controller, I was wondering what the Smooth Stepper does for a machine and if I should add one? If I have a machine that's working fairly well what would it add? I promise I won't fry it.

Richard B.

6

General Mach Discussion / Gradual Cutting

« on: May 14, 2010, 02:35:05 AM »

I've read in the manual that there is a way to make the Z Axis take gradual cuts into harder materials, but it looks like that was for an earlier version. Is there a way to make this happen  in Mach 3? My machine and programs want to drill to the floor on the first cut! It's on page 6-12,  section 6.2.17, but nothing on my Mach 3 screen looks like that. Thanks for any help offered.

Richard

7

General Mach Discussion / Newbie Problems

« on: February 26, 2010, 12:46:13 AM »

Hi All,

I've got the usual problems getting Mach 3 up and working on my DIY router table. When I use the Mach 3 Mill icon the stepper motors don't work when I jog them. The jog setting is at 50%.  They just screech and stay still. If I use the Mach 3 loader and create a blank profile, the steppers move, make very strange noises when idle and move slowly. I've been plowing through this forum but have been unable to find a problem quite like this. Here is my equipment listing:

1) 3 axis system with all three steppers identical Vexta PK266-02A
        These are 2 amps, 1.8 steps
2) Toshiba controller TB6560 - setting the 6 wire motors to bipolar.
3) 24 volt power supply
4) Mach 3 ...of course!!!

I followed the setup instructions for both the control board and Mach 3, but I haven't  heard such whining and screeching since I told my daughter she couldn't date until she turned 16!! I need help on the stepper motors. The Daughter is now 25... too late to help her. Oh yeah I did the setup instructions the same for both profiles.

I hope someone can help, my forehead is getting pretty flat from banging my head on the router table!!

Thanx,

Richard in Sacramento