Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / laptop use

« on: February 22, 2009, 12:09:34 PM »

I notice on the downloads page that there is now a statement saying laptops are not supported unless they have an external motion controller.

I have been running my Mach3 on a laptop for some time now using version 2.63. I always have the power cord connected so the laptop is not reliant on batteries. It always works OK. Sometimes I forget to switch the power socket on and it runs on batteries and it is only when the screen goes dark .... or worse blank..... under the power saving routine that I realise the power socket is off ...... and it still continues to operate. I switch the power on smartish though!

So why is the restriction now introduced on laptops?

Are the modern (last couple of years) model of laptops more prone to the power saving problems inferred by the reference to the chip set made in the statement?

2

General Mach Discussion / Shuttle operation

« on: September 26, 2008, 09:33:49 AM »

I have bought a Shuttle Express and cannot get it to operate under Mach3. I have configured it using the add on config plug in and it is enabled. In the config set up the buttons have been set as X, Y, Z, A, and step and the setup selected as Express. I have then selected the MPG on the shuttle/jog window and selected CAL. This is where it starts to go wrong I think as the three steps for calibration do not recognise the shuttle movement and nothing is calculated. Windows XP has recognised the USB shuttle plugged in and reports it as available. Non of the buttons seem to select anything and the inner detente wheel and outer sprung wheel do nothing. The LED against the MPG continuously flashes. changing the Mode has no affect.

Offers of help on what to do would be appreciated please.

Alan

3

General Mach Discussion / Feed rate problem

« on: October 25, 2007, 10:01:30 AM »

I have just upgraded to Mach 3 V 2.56 and I now have a peculiar feed rate problem.

On jogging the feed accelerates as normal to normal speed then immediately slows down considerably and then speeds up again to its normal speed. This occurs on all three axis. The feed rate DRO mirrors this happening.

I have not been able to ascertain if this change is present when actually cutting.

I am running latest updates to Windows XP and in all other respects the PC is the same as before the update to Mach 3.

Help please to put me right.

Alan

4

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 crashing !!

« on: December 15, 2006, 10:14:35 AM »

My mach3 v.2 is crashing on loading a G code file. It is one particular file only. As it crashes there is a very brief message panel that goes off again too quick to read but I think it includes the word "tripped"

The crash also causes Windows XP not to shut down properly and the PC has to have the power removed in order to shut it down rather than leave it to switch off by itself.

I have tried it on two separate PC's with the same result.

The code has been prepared with a post processor used OK before from the CAM software from Dolphin.

Rather than post the G code file in full at this point, has anyone any ideas upon the possible causes please?

Alan

5

General Mach Discussion / rotary axis setup

« on: November 20, 2006, 04:30:10 PM »

I have just added a rotary axis to my set up the A axis. I am now trying to find out how to calibrate it and verify the DRO reading to the table position.

I know the table reduction ratio (worm/wheel) and I can set my micro stepping motor as usual , but how do I know what units the DRO is reading? degrees? Radians? or something totally different?

Advice on the correct setup procedure would be appreciated.

Alan

6

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 driver test

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:43:29 PM »

Posted this on the Yahoo forum today ....... posting here as well in the hope of enlightenment!

All was fine .... until today and the CNC mill stopped or rather kept
hicchupping. Checked the Laptop with the driver test and the result
was abysmal .... not a good graph at all with pulse rates often as low
as 500 or so. Obviously (I think) affecting the drive motors.

Tried all the usual optimisation recommendations with no effect....
but why should it change from working OK anyway?

Put the laptop back to as it was and did another few driver tests and
got good results with pulse rates up 50,000 plus ..... did a few more
and back to crap again. Bursts of terrible pulse rates.

Why this variation? No other programs running except background
services which have not shown a problem before.

Going bald with pulling hair out!!

Alan

7

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Peculiar Z movement

« on: April 30, 2006, 05:12:27 PM »

I am getting a peculiar Z movement from mach3 (lockdown version) when running this code which is at the beginning of a job:

N60 G00 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80
N70 G00 Z1.0
N80 X0.0 Y0.0 Z1.5
N90 M06 T1 G43 H1  ( Slot Drill )
N100 G94 S1000 M03
N110 X0.4375 Y0.1875 Z1.5
N120 X0.4375 Y0.1875 Z0.1181
N130 G01 X0.4375 Y0.1875 Z-0.015 F1.5
N140 X0.4375 Y0.2095 Z-0.015 F2.0
N150 X0.1655 Y0.2095 Z-0.015
............................

The Z axis initially drives to 0.5 inches  then drives up to 1.5"

Watching the DRO it ramps up to 1.5" and immediatly resest to 0.5" so the z movement reflects the DRO setting in its final position but does not get the chance to move to 1.5".

I have also noticed that a 1" Z error sometimes occurs in that the Z axis drives to 1.5" and then drives up another 1" so on the way down it is cutting air. On these occasions the DRO indicates 1" when it should be down to 0.

The common factor tseems to be this mysterious 1" that occurs.

Any ideas around that might account for this behaviour?

Alan

8

General Mach Discussion / Odd Z movement

« on: April 07, 2006, 07:50:51 AM »

I am experiencing an odd Z movement with the code posted below. The code is only the begining few blocks of a profiled surface.

The peculiar Z movement seems to occur after line 70 having driven to 1.9685 (I know its a funny number but it is a function bug in Dolphin CAM I think)
then for some reason Z goes to 1" until the next Z command occurs

Stepping the blocks one at a time shows this up. But it is not consistant as sometimes it does not occur.

I have run the prgram on two different PC's with the same result.

Any advice on what might be happening?

Code:
 Produced       :- 10:28:57  Friday, April 07, 2006 )
( CNC File       :- joggle1 )
( Post Processor :- M_MACH_3 )
( Part Number ID :-  )
(Program Number :- O100  )
N60 G00 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80
N70 G00 Z1.9685
N80 X0.0 Y0.0 Z2.0
N90 M06 T2 G43 H2  ( End Mill )
N100 G94 S1000 M03
N110 M08
N120 X0.0 Y-0.125 Z2.0
N130 X0.0 Y-0.125 Z0.0625
N140 G01 X0.0 Y-0.125 Z-0.0024 F2.0
N150 X0.0 Y-0.3576 Z-0.0024
N160 X0.0 Y-0.3676 Z-0.0024

9

General Mach Discussion / Screen 4

« on: March 29, 2006, 11:29:46 AM »

How do you delete an item in screen 4?

Having wrongly placed a LED on screen I cannot find a delete facility. The Cut button is greyed out.

10

General Mach Discussion / keyboard jog control

« on: March 28, 2006, 11:43:49 AM »

Why is it that with some screen displays on Mach3 the keyboard jog controls work and on others they do not?

I have not changed the Mach3 screens or anything else from the latest lockdown download version.