Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Machine movement

« on: May 25, 2013, 03:40:44 PM »

Need help.  I have been using my Mach 3 cutting plasma and doing fine.

My problem is I just switched to the router and my mill screen is not moving the gantry.

I looked at the config screen, ports and pins and set up the mill screen the same as the plasma and still no go.

Any suggestions?

2

General Mach Discussion / Feed not changing on Mach3

« on: May 19, 2013, 02:28:49 PM »

I am making my G codes with BobCAD 24.  Up until now everything has been working OK. I think, I have not paid much attention to this issue.

I have been making tests to fine tune my cuts.  To start I have been changing my feed. I did this by re-posting a code, I use BobCAD 24.  Again, I re-post, not editing a used code.

What I noticed is on the Mach 3 screen the feed speed does not change with the new G code.  I can not swear it ever did.

I can change the feed using the Mach screen, but it does not necessarily go to what I want.

Anybody have my answer?

I do have another issue and have a separate post.  Is is dealing with my ARC OK.

Looking for answers and help.

Thanks, Bob

3

General Mach Discussion / ARC not OK

« on: May 19, 2013, 02:18:08 PM »

I do not have a ARC ok on the Mach 3 screen or the Texas Micre 301d when I am running.

I was getting a pierce but no movement. The pierce would last until I shut it off on the Mach screen.  I shut off the THC on the Mach screen and I began cutting again. However, I do not get an ARC OK signal at the THC or the ach screen.

The good news is I am cutting as well as ever..

Texas Micro suggested it is the torch (TD A40). At their suggestion I am going to run the test boards again.

I do have a 2nd issue and will post it separately.  This issue is dealing with my feed speed not changing, on the Mach screen with a new g-code.

Any help will be greatly accepted.

Thanks, Bob 

4

General Mach Discussion / Cutting Ht.

« on: September 17, 2012, 06:01:08 PM »

I am using BobCad V24 for my programming software. 

I do not see a spot to set the cutting HT. for Plasma.  Is there a field I am not seeing or should I adjust my Volts?

5

General Mach Discussion / Z raising in the middle of a cut.

« on: September 16, 2012, 12:12:11 PM »

Something new every day. I am so new that I do now how to trouble shoot a lot of things.

Yesterday I was getting a pierce and no axis move....This post if a few down below this one.

Today, I was making a cut and 1/2 way through it the torch went out, raised to the rapid ht., finished the axis moves and went to the next pierce. At that point it finished the design.

I tried to back up and restart and it would only carry the torch high continue the axis moves to the next spot.

Does anybody have the answer to this? I would like to have restarted the design instead or ruining another hunk of steel.

Are there any trouble shooting guides out there that might cover these things that pop up? These things happen,  I do not know why or what to do about it  and frustrating the hell out of me.

6

General Mach Discussion / Get a pierce but no axis move

« on: September 15, 2012, 02:20:14 PM »

On several occasions I get a pierce yet no axis movement. I shut the torch off then it will go to the next axis and resume the code movements.

An example: Today I was running a sign. The first sigh cut perfect. The second started running OK, then after cutting several parts, then it pierced and no axis movement. Part ruined.  I reloaded the code and cut another complete design.

On the next run, it pierced on the 1st cut and held.

I do not know why it does this nor what to do about it. I would like to do something to jog it to start it's movement and resume without ruining the material.

Any suggestions out there.

7

General Mach Discussion / M Codes

« on: August 06, 2012, 03:35:04 PM »

I am using plasma for the first time.  I have to fire the torch manually in the Mach screen.  I expected it to toggle to the start point and fire automatically when it hit the start point of the design.

Instead I have to fire it and it drags over to the start point and starts it's code run.

Does anyone know the M Codes I need to generate to fire at the start point? Is there something else I might be missing?

Am I right or wrong on it firing at the start point of the design on it's own?

8

General Mach Discussion / Inconsistent cut

« on: June 09, 2012, 07:25:40 PM »

I am new but learning.  I made a sign with just text "Chet's Shop".

The first time I ran it it came out perfect.  

The 2nd time I did not get a full Z plunge on Chet and on the apostrophe and the s the Z did not drop at all. I stopped it here. 

The 3rd time I ran it the Z on Chet was the same - thin, the apostrophe did not drop the Z but it did on the s and the s and shop received a full z drop. (not thin like on Chet) Also on this run, hop in shop did not pick up the Z to the zero. The router bit scraped on the X axis on the hop but not the S.

Anybody know of a reason I would get 3 different cuts on one G Code?

9

General Mach Discussion / Blank screen

« on: June 09, 2012, 05:38:33 PM »

When opening Mach 3 on my laptop I have lost the screen of the Mach window. Now it only shows a blank screen with the Tool Bar at the top.

It used to work, now it does not.  It does work properly on my work computer.  Any help out there on how to get it back?

10

General Mach Discussion / Super sized

« on: June 08, 2012, 08:23:14 PM »

I am very new to all of this and have 2 issues:

My most important: I did a test cut (router) of the letter A....I said I was new..... I am using BobCad, the size of the letter was to be 3". It came out 3 11/16". Also the plunge was to be 3/9" and was 5/8+.  The 2nd plunge was the right 3/8.  On another trial cut the lettering was to be 4" high and 32" wide.  It came out 4 13/16 X 40"...... BobCad says the G Codes were correct. Looking for help on this one.

My 2nd issue: When opening Mach 3 on my laptop I have lost the screen of the Mach window.  It used to work, now it does not.  It does work properly on my work computer.  Any help out there on how to get it back?