Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 and Gecko G540 stepper motor heat

« on: August 06, 2021, 02:18:20 PM »

Hello,
I build a CNC and I am using Mach3 software to run my equipment. My Gecko G540 stepper motors get excessively hot while idle.  Is it possible to change configuration settings in Mach3 to get the stepper motors to disengage while at rest? With the Gecko G540 controller. I have solved the problem of the controller itself heating up but would like some input on how I can keep the stepper motors themselves from getting so hot. I was told that the controller keeps the stepper motors engaged while on and stationary, this causes the stepper motors to stay active and even while not moving, resulting in the excess heat. I was also told that this can be avoided by installing a 3K resistor between pins 1&5 on each 9pin output cable. This tells the controller to disengage the steppers while not in use. I am looking for verification on this method.

2

General Mach Discussion / Windows 10 update causes erratic movements

« on: March 02, 2018, 01:11:22 PM »

Hi All,
I am having issues with my small cnc mill. I teach at a school where we updated to new 64 bit computers this year. When I installed Mach 3 onto the new computer and used a UC100 usb controller. Everything has been working fine, until a windows update installed. I went to cut a 2D pocket out and in the middle of the process the machine plunged into the part about 1/2" when the plunge was set at .06" for each pass. It was totally random and the machine when reset worked fine until the next time I loaded a part. I set the z at .5" above the part to test it and when I did a MDI G0 Z0.5 z moved up to the top of the carriage and crashed. So I went to the settings page and tried to check the calibration of steps. When I selected X and move 1 unit the machine traveled the whole length of the table? Motor steps are still what they are supposed to be, yet every time I load mach 3 when I first open the program movement is fine 1 to 1 ratio. Then when I load a file it wacks out and crashes. I have tried several files that have never had issues running and they do the same thing. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

3

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Mach 3 wizard changing my movement scale after posting g-code

« on: September 10, 2016, 07:19:19 PM »

When I use any of the wizards in Mach 3 the machine does not move the right distance after I use the wizard and post the g-code. It is driving me crazy. I have to close the g-code file, close the Mach 3 mill program and restart it and then when I tell the machine to move one inch it moves one inch. So I go the the wizard and select Rectangular pocket and set up all my dimensions and when I post the g-code 2 things happen. 1st my coordinates are changed from zero's to some arbitrary values. 2nd when I jog the machine it reads that about a 1 inch move as 0.02". Has anyone suffered this before? ( and yes I have the wizard set to inches when I set up the pocket)

4

General Mach Discussion / Can't send email to tech support

« on: August 15, 2016, 05:55:40 PM »

Hi All, I sent a email to tech support and got a reply this morning. They didn't answer my question, instead they asked me a question. So when I went to reply to the email. I got my email back as deliverable, "email quota exceeded". Have any of you experienced this?

5

Mach3 under Vista / Mach3 turn not running but mill is

« on: August 13, 2016, 11:04:14 PM »

Hello,
I'm looking for some help with my Mach3 turn. Here is the situation. I have a 4 axis CNC that I built myself and am using Mach3 to run all. I have gotten everything tuned in for Mach3 mill. That is to say I can set up and run G-code programs with the mill and it works perfect. So I wanted to start using the Mach3 turn program and I set everything up just the same as I did in Mill. The ports & pins inputs and outputs are the same. The motor control is the same.....but when I hit the reset button nothing happens. It is as if the software isn't reading the controller. Any ideas?

6

General Mach Discussion / Cant find DXF import button

« on: July 30, 2016, 01:03:28 AM »

Hi All,
I am looking for the "DXF Import" button that is suppose to be available under the File tab. I only have, Load G-code, LazyCAM, Close G-code, exit. I also looked under program files and didn't find it there either. I wanted to try the Bitmap import.

 I found the instructions in the Mach3 manual page 8-6 section 8.4.1 it says "The import filter is accessed from File>Import HPGL/BMP/JPG and the JPG/BMP button on the dialog.
Let me know if you know how I can find this file.
Thanks
Cary

7

General Mach Discussion / newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 22, 2016, 07:50:42 PM »

Hi, could I get some help with my 4th axis. I built my own cnc 4 axis machine and am using Mach3. I have followed all the help many of you have posted on how to "tune" my 4th axis rotational head. I got the steps right for my motor it is a nema 23 so 200 steps per/rotation. it is mounted to a 3 jaw chuck and the ratio is 6:1 (motor turns 6 times for the head to turn once). So the steps per/rotation is 1200 200 x 6 = 1200. So I set my "A" axis motor tuning to 1200 and the motor turns fine. I accelerated it to the best I could and all that is okay.

So here is my problem. When I go to MDI and input G0 A10, the head runs for about 8.5 rotations instead of 10 degrees. Help!!! Please!!!