Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Trouble with the Z axis

« on: August 05, 2014, 01:29:21 PM »

Hello all!

Running into an odd little problem.  We are using a Maxnc-10 machine, converted controller using a Gecko G540 board and Mach 3 software.  It seems that during a machine run, every time the Z axis makes a move, the Z axis moves up .0250.  When it is supposed to descend, it doesn't.  So the spindle is effectively rising up above the engraving area by .0250 every time there is a break between speed change but is not returning to the engraving area for the next move.  It just continues to move up and not down.

Does anyone know what is causing this and how it can be corrected?

Appreciate any help!

Jeff

2

General Mach Discussion / BACKLASH SETTINGS IN MACH3 SPECIFICALLY A AXIS

« on: July 14, 2014, 12:31:36 PM »

Hi,

We recently set up our Maxnc 10CL to run with Mach3 software.  after some tweaking and suggestions from some of you fine folks, it is actually working with little problems.

The biggest adjustment that we have to make is with the backlash, specifically in the A axis.  The Maxnc comes with an optional 4th axis.  In this case, it is a Sherline rotary table.  It works very well but we are having issues getting the backlash down in that axis.  When we run our backlash test, every axis is bang on with the exception of the A.

I know adjusting the backlash mechanically is our best option.  But what is the best way to set the backlash within the Mach3 program.  As some of you might know the Maxnc comes with archaic software that runs in the DOS system.  Setting the backlash is simple there because the software only offers you a choice on the spectrum of 0 through 10.  It doesn't take long to play with that and figure out what your settings should be.

We are still pretty new with the Mach3 software and the settings are slightly more complicated.  Any suggestions?

Jeff

3

General Mach Discussion / Running Maxnc 10 CL with Mach3

« on: July 10, 2014, 04:26:35 PM »

Hello all,

New to this forum but I have been reading a lot of your posts, picking up the wisdom of your instruction here and there.

We are in the process of overhauling some of our CNC machines.  We have 4 Maxnc 10 CL CNCs.  One of them we overhalled the controller with a new Gecko G540 and it works great.  We are using the newest version of Mach3 and really like a lot of the features.  We also have an ACT CNC and that came preloaded with an OEM version of Mach3.  Not as great as the newest software but still really good.

We decided to try an experiment in an effort to run all of our systems with Mach3 software.  We are trying to run one of our machines with the original Maxnc Cl controller box using Mach3.  I did a lot of research.  Discovered that the Maxnc people themselves are really no help and do not want you running their machines with Mach3.  I managed to get the pinout assignments and also read that if you select the the Max CL box under "ports and pins" you shouldn't have to manually change anything.  However, this did not entirely work.  Some of the axes had movement while others were limited (our machines are all 4 axis), especially the A axis.

Also, we can't seem to find a way to make the flood commands M8 and M9 work.  We tried a bunch of different configurations (including M8 on pin 14) and have no success getting it operational.

Is there a way to make Mach3 compatible with the Maxnc CL machinery?  What are we doing wrong?  Do I need to be hit in the head with a frying pan or do I need to take a hammer to the controller box?

I have been on the M8 M9 issue for 2 days now and have found absolutely nothing to help me.   

Appreciate any comments or help.

Jeff