Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / CNC work with robot arm?

« on: August 06, 2022, 06:33:34 PM »

Is it possible to do CNC work such as cutting out parts on plywood sheets with a robot arm?

2

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 USB version

« on: July 29, 2022, 01:01:04 PM »

I've built two CNC machines to run on parallel circuits. Is there a version of Mach 3 for USB (serial) cables?

3

General Mach Discussion / How can I get away from parallel cable

« on: November 12, 2020, 11:54:35 AM »

I'm about to begin building my third machine. It's getting harder to find old computers with a parallel port. I need suggestions on how to build a system not requiring it. It's my understanding that Mach3 will not accommodate such a system. And the Longs kit I used on my last build required the cable as well. So I need a controller like Mach that doesn't require the cable and a stepper/driver kit as well. Any suggestions? I really appreciate it.

4

General Mach Discussion / Limit switches acting crazy, crashing

« on: April 29, 2020, 02:27:44 PM »

In an attempt to dump mechanical limit switches, I installed 3 Hall effect sensors as shown below. When I magnet is passed over the individual sensors its relay indicator lights up and the normally closed relay breaks the circuit to kill the appropriate axis. This works, but...

Each limit switch works so that it stops the travel of that particular axis and requires a reset to continue with its travel.
If you fail to move that axis after resetting it, the other two axes will run passed their stops even though their individual relays are triggered.

This might make it easier to invision what happens:

Scenario 1:

Y hits a limit and stops. I reset it and move it again to make sure it was reset. Then I test X. It hits a stop, I reset it, test to make sure it travels. Ditto for Z.

Secnario 2:

Y hits a limit and stops. I reset it but I DON'T jog it to test for a reset. Then I test X. It passes its magnet, lights up its relay, but continues to travel without setting off an alarm, eventually crashes.

I've tried for a couple of days to figure it out but I'm stumped. Any ideas? I appreciate any help. Diagram attached.

5

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Machinable wax gumming up my bits.

« on: July 12, 2018, 11:46:53 AM »

I'm sure this problem is due to my inexperience.
When I machine wax with my CNC router, the bits get caked with wax so that they can't cut. What's worse, they destroy the work piece as the bit diameter grows rapidly. Please see image.
These are my settings:
Spindle speed according to router owner's manual: about 17,000rpm
Bit: 1/4", spiral, upcut, not sure if carbide or HSS.
Feed rate and Plunge rate are 45 inch/min
I usually cut in depth increments of 0.1" and often go as deep as one inch.
Any help will be appreciated.

6

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Can't get my pecker to work in sheetCam

« on: July 12, 2018, 11:15:32 AM »

I'm obviously doing something wrong. I use the settings shown in my image but nothing happens. Any help will be appreciated.



https://www.dropbox.com/s/57f96lu3ppjpcn4/sheetcam_pecking.PNG?dl=0

7

Mach Screens / Please tell me how to set TABLE SIZE in Mach3

« on: October 25, 2017, 12:57:13 PM »

I've always had trouble getting my tool path to display large enough to be very helpful. It occurred to me that Mach may think my machine is 20 feet wide and 30 feet long. And so the material being milled shows up the size of a postage stamp. In reality, my machine is about 20" x 30", and my material is about 5" x 10". Can you help? As a secondary request-- I've messed up my colors and there's not an option to reset to default. (Config > ToolPath > Colors)  If you can help with that too, it would be great. Thank you.

8

General Mach Discussion / Limit Switch Mystery in Mach 3

« on: September 24, 2017, 11:22:13 AM »

1. I've taken all but one axis out of the picture to isolate my problem. I am using the z axis only.

2. In Motor Outputs, I have z enabled, step pin 6, dir pin 7, dir high active (red x), step low active (green check), step port to 1, dir port to 1.

3. In Input Signals, I have Z++, Z--, Z Home, green checked with port 1 and pin 12 selected for all three. All other options are red x'd. Estop auto-enables and is assigned pin 15 which is wired to ground.

4. In Homing/Limits, nothing is selected, everything is red x'd.

5. Limit switch wires from pin 12 and ground are connected to a normally closed switch.

6. In Settings, the Auto LimitOverRide has green lit LED.

7. The Reset but is not flashing and the z axis will jog up and down at normal speed using page up and page down.

8. Hitting the limit switch triggers the reset button as expected.

9. Resetting allows me to move away from the closed switch but at a slow growling speed and then another fault occurs after only a few steps.

10. Resetting a second time clears the fault and I'm back to normal.

Does anyone know why I'm getting a second fault while moving away from the switch? Thank you for any suggestions.

9

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Slow blow or fast blow?

« on: July 31, 2017, 10:09:07 PM »

I'm looking for a consensus on whether I should use slow blow or fast blow fuses on my system. I fully understand that slow blows are used to protect components that can withstand a temporary inrush of of higher current, but that still doesn't tell me whether my components should be exposed to that inrush. I'm using the Long's Motors kit as follows:

36volt power supply
5 volts borrowed from the PC PS to power the DB25-1205 B.O.B.
Three 3 amp motors
DM542A drivers

Thanks for any help.

10

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Motors too hot! Any ideas?

« on: July 07, 2017, 09:34:42 PM »

This is a fresh build. Just got it running thanks to help from others. Today's question is: Why is X holding at about 105F while Y and Z are cooking at 160F? My router is probably not going to provide enough metal contact to sink it away. Thanks for any help.


https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=too+hot.jpg