Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Driver Test Works but Pulse Frequency is 1, 2, 4, etc.

« on: August 28, 2012, 01:20:56 PM »

I recently reinstalled Windows XP with Service Pack 3 onto my computer, reinstalled Mach3 R3.043.022, and loaded my previous XML file. I run the Driver Test and get a steady 24,300Hz pulse frequency and System Excellent, but when I open up Mach3Mill, the diagnostics page reads a very low value for pulse frequency (1, 2, 3Hz, jumps to 24,300Hz for a second, and back down to 2, 3, 4Hz, etc.). I have attached my XML for you to look at and see if there is something that I am missing.

Before my computer crashed, I was running in ACPI PC with no problems but needed to replicate a problem that another machine was having (a steady pulse frequency of ~21,000). I went through the Windows XP Optimization Guide step-by-step to setup Standard PC drivers. After that, the pulse frequency was only 1 or 2Hz so I switched back to ACPI PC. That was when my computer crashed and needed the OS reinstalled. After all was said-and-done, I didn't replicate the problem but instead found a new problem. Will going through the Windows XP Optimization Guide again fix this problem?

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Subroutine for Raster Scan

« on: May 16, 2012, 10:47:58 AM »

Hi,

I have rectangular raster pattern that I would like to program a subroutine for, but have a couple questions regarding the best way to go about it. The first question is, will Mach3 understand conditional loops (WHILE, FOR, IF, etc.)? I read on CNC Cookbook that Mach3 doesn't support macros, and I got an error when I tried programming a WHILE loop.

Anyways, what I want to do is setup variables for the X length, Y length, Z gap between tool and substrate, feed rate, and spacing between raster scans. For example, a 86mm by 36mm (X length, #1=86 and Y length, #2=36) substrate, a 2mm gap between tool and substrate (Z gap, #3=-12, in my case), a feed rate of 2500mm/min (#4=2500), and a 1mm spacing between scans (#5=1).

I have attached the g code that goes through the raster pattern I would like for reference. If Mach3 does not support conditional loops, how would I go about doing? Any help is greatly appreciated!

3

General Mach Discussion / X & Y Driver/Configuration Issues

« on: April 19, 2012, 12:35:42 PM »

Hi, I'm having some problems getting my X-axis and Y-axis jogging properly. The 3 KL 4030 drivers will all work for the Z-axis, but not for the X or Y. I'm using KL 4030 driver, C10 BOB, and Mach3 software.

Here is what my machine is doing. When I jog the X or Y axis in one direction, the axis moves back and forth (side to side) only about 1mm.

I believe that I'm calculating the Mach3 steps per 1mm movement correct, but maybe someone could verify them for me. The X and Y axis are belt driven with 1 motor revolution per 44mm which equals 0.023 revs/mm. I have the drivers half-stepping so the Mach3 steps per motor revolution is 400 steps/motor rev. So the Mach3 steps per unit (1mm) is equal to the steps/motor rev times the motor revs/mm which is 0.023*400=9.52 Mach3 steps per 1mm movement (seems low??).

I also tried the corresponding steps/mm for 1/8 and 1/32 stepping, but still had the same back and forth movement. Do these seem like a low numbers for steps/mm? How much effect would changing the velocity or acceleration cause? Thanks for the help. John.