Topics

1

Feature Requests / Rigid Tapping Functions G84

« on: January 11, 2007, 01:14:32 AM »

I am of the opinion that rigid tapping would be wonderful.  G84 for the masses!

2

General Mach Discussion / Port setting with GREX?

« on: July 21, 2006, 01:59:29 AM »

I've asked this before, but I've not recieved an answer yet.  Please, if you know, reply?

I love the GREX 100.  Smooth, fast, IO.... oh yeah.  Problem is:  I have wonderful movement, but to this day I can't get anything else to work (E-Stop, Spindle VFD control, Coolant).  What port is the GREX?  Port 0, Port 3.....

I know GREX is still "experimental", but could someone with good results please post some good setup tips.


Thank you.

3

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / What are the Encoder boxes in the G100 plugin?

« on: June 20, 2006, 03:27:12 AM »

Love the plugin for Mach 3 and the GRex 100.  Thank you.

Just one question:  What values can I input in the Encoder boxes?  I'm running steppers with encoders.

Thanks again.

4

General Mach Discussion / Rage rising!! (Mystery Men Quote)

« on: June 20, 2006, 03:09:54 AM »

Ok, I really need your help on this one.  I'm considered new so to the experts this is a no brainer.

I'm having issues with Mach 3 going at the beat of it's own drumer.  By that I mean, I set the feed rate at 3, and Mach runs at 90-105 ipm in the blended feed rate.  I've included a small bit of my code:

N7079 X12.498 Y1.1121
N7081 Z0.3000
N7083 M5
(1/8" Pocketing)
N7087 G00 X0 Y0 Z2 M06 T3
N7091 X16.8875 Y8.974 Z0.2500 S10000 M3
N7093 Z0.0500 F6.0 G99
N7095 Y8.9706 Z0.0491 F3.0 G99
N7097 X16.8742 Z0.0455
N7099 X16.8691 Y8.9716 Z0.0441

This isn't a once in awhile thing, it's every time.  As you can see, feed rates are 6 and 3.  What I get is over 100 ipm.  Now I don't have to tell you how much fun it is to break the carbide (expensive) bit every time it does this.

So what am I doing wrong?  In the FR window it says 3.0.  In the FRO it says .16.  In the blended FR is see 90-105ipm.

I'm running 1.90.050.  The feed rate before this tool was 27ipm, all ran well.  Is it the rapid feed over to my tool change position a problem?  Is it the G99 code?

Thank you for your time.

5

General Mach Discussion / Auto tool height offset measurement

« on: June 12, 2006, 02:29:50 AM »

How hard would it be to produce a DIY auto tool height sensor? 

Maybe a macro that starts with every tool change and goes to a specific location, touches off the tool tip, and offsets itself?

Anything commercially ready now?

6

Mach3 and G-Rex / I'm ready are you! I/O Questions.

« on: May 25, 2006, 04:04:20 PM »

OK, I've got a GREX pluged in with 6 G201's on it.  The only questions I have is the Digital and Analog Inputs/Outputs.  The documentation is still under development(I hope).  So I'm a little unclear as to the voltages.  Am I correct in that all the I/O is a 3.3V?  So, I need to step down the voltages for all my connections?

It was a hope that I could connect my speed controllers and index units to the GREX.  Is this not possible yet?

Would I be better to drive the 5v ttl signal off the computer power supply (so the drivers are energized only when the computer is on) or the GREX?

I was wiring the Grex into the computer 12V supply as well so I could turn the system on and off with one switch of the computer.  Is this a good thing?

It doesn't mention it, but I've been using sheilded wire for all my low level connections.  Is this overkill?

Looking forward to firing this one off.  2nd Grex is shortly behind this one.

Richard

7

General Mach Discussion / Irregular circles

« on: April 13, 2006, 03:12:25 AM »

I've had issues with my CNC router.  It's new, commercial grade.  My circles cut are irregular in shape.  All in the same side.  I cut 15 holes, all irregular in the same way.

I've heard of such a thing on the yahoo forums.  Was there ever a solution?


Thanks

8

Mach3 and G-Rex / G100 and printer ports?

« on: March 17, 2006, 01:56:18 AM »

Now, from looking at the beta of Mach4, I'll still be able to use all my lpt ports correct?

PWM Spindle,..... can still be routed through traditional ports?

Since the GREX uses it's own processor, how does that effect the cpu load on Mach4?

I'm assuming that there is some type of syncing process between the two interfaces?

Can I still use my MOD/IO with Mach 4?

I know, silly questions, but ones I think are pretty basic.

9

Mach3 and G-Rex / The future!

« on: March 16, 2006, 08:13:20 PM »

I've just ordered my first G100.  I have to say, I'm giddy like a school girl.

Mariss, (GeckoDrives) and I had a wonderful chat about what's on the horizon in the next 12 months.  I have to say... WOW!.

Probably the biggest source of excitement for me is closed loop stepper operation.  Next is "detached stepper".  From what I understand is that while in closed loop, if the stepper is lagging 1.8 degrees behind the stepper speed is slowed (increases torque), so that the number of parts ruined from bad code can be reduced. (lots of advantages here)  Mach 4 is really going to be a big part of all this and I couldn't be more excited about it.

Any idea when I could pay for my Mach 4 upgrade?  Approximately how much do you think it will be?

10

General Mach Discussion / XP Embedded, Mach syntax

« on: February 22, 2006, 08:41:49 PM »

I'm trying to fumble my way through XP Embedded.  The purpose is so that I can create a single purpose PC for Mach3,4.  Is there a sytax for starting Mach that opens a profile so that when you open Mach it is in full screen ready to play?

Richard