Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Computer Hardware Compatibility - Dell Laptop with Docking Station

« on: December 29, 2007, 11:37:31 PM »

Hello All,

My computer in the garage that was dedicated to running my Mach 3 software for my CNC router died.  I am not sure of the cause; probably too much dust.

Anyway, I need to replace it with a new computer and I was thinking of getting a really nice Dell Laptop, the Dell Precision M6300.  This will hopefully support my CAD, CAM and Mach 3 software.  I was thinking of connecting the controller hardware/software through a docking station with a port replicator.  This way, when I am done machining I can just pop my computer off the docking station and bring it indoors.  Before I make the big leap and purchase all this expensive computer hardware, I wanted to check and see if this is compatible with Mach 3?

My question is: are there any problems using the Mach 3 Software with the parallel port of a docking station?  And, does it matter whether I purchase it with the Windows XP or the Windows Vista Operating System?

Thank you.

Regards,
Bob

2

General Mach Discussion / Z Axis Drift Problem...Losing Counts on a Servo System?

« on: March 22, 2007, 12:44:02 AM »

Hello,

I posted a little while back on the Lazy Cam Forum that I am having problems with my Z-Axis drifting.  I thought the problem was mechanical but it wasn’t.  I have an old oscilloscope I am using to look at the signals but without a test plan I am just looking at pretty signals without knowing what to look for.  Does anybody have any suggestions?

Hardware & Software Specs:
Mach 3: Version R2.0.024
LazyCam: 2.00.032 Standard Edition

Computer: 2.53 GHz, 512 MB RAM
Drivers: Gecko G340 DC Servo
Motors: Brush DC Motor with US Digital Encoder
Machine: Homemade 3 axis Gantry CNC Router

Here is a copy of the Lazy Cam posting:

I have been having some problems with my Z axis.  I use LazyCam to import a JPEG and convert it to G-Code.  I load the code into the Mach 3 Controller.  About half way through the cutting process I notice that my cutter is no longer in the material.  It looks like the cutter has been slowly ramping in the positive Z direction.  If I look at the Z axis during the engraving process it is moving up and down the way I would expect, but it must be slowly incrementing itself in the positive (upward) direction.  However if I look at the Z axis DRO it is indicating a negative value which would seem to indicate that the cutter should be in the material.  Am I missing a setting? I am confused.  Any suggestions?

I am using the following software versions:
Mach 3: Version R2.0.024
LazyCam: 2.00.032 Standard Edition

Thanks.


Also here is a copy of the first  few lines of the G-Code

N45  G1 X5.4960  Z-0.0750  F60.00
N50  Y0.0160  Z-0.0671 
N55  Y0.0240  Z-0.0703 
N60  Y0.0320  Z-0.0662 
N65  Y0.0400  Z-0.0680 
N70  Y0.0480  Z-0.0703 
N75  Y0.0560  Z-0.0677 
N80  Y0.0640  Z-0.0653 
N85  Y0.0720  Z-0.0677 
N90  Y0.0800   
N95  Y0.0880  Z-0.0686 
N100  Y0.0960  Z-0.0668 
N105  Y0.1040  Z-0.0674 
N110  Y0.1120  Z-0.0653 
N115  Y0.1200  Z-0.0677 
N120  Y0.1280  Z-0.0653 
N125  Y0.1360  Z-0.0645 
N130  Y0.1440  Z-0.0688 
N135  Y0.1520  Z-0.0697 
N140  Y0.1600  Z-0.0671 
N145  Y0.1680  Z-0.0656 
N150  Y0.1760   
N155  Y0.1840  Z-0.0665 
N160  Y0.1920  Z-0.0677


Thank you.

Regards,
Bob

3

LazyCam (Beta) / Z Axis problem

« on: March 11, 2007, 10:25:54 PM »

I have been having some problems with my Z axis.  I use LazyCam to import a JPEG and convert it to G-Code.  I load the code into the Mach 3 Controller.  About half way through the cutting process I notice that my cutter is no longer in the material.  It looks like the cutter has been slowly ramping in the positive Z direction.  If I look at the Z axis during the engraving process it is moving up and down the way I would expect, but it must be slowly incrementing itself in the positive (upward) direction.  However if I look at the Z axis DRO it is indicating a negative value which would seem to indicate that the cutter should be in the material.  Am I missing a setting? I am confused.  Any suggestions?

I am using the following software versions:
Mach 3: Version R2.0.024
LazyCam: 2.00.032 Standard Edition

Thanks.