Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Stepper Motor tuning

« on: August 05, 2019, 11:23:30 AM »

I was wondering if someone could explain what Step Pulse 1-5us and Dir Pulse 0-5 are.  I have read through both manuals and haven't been able to find anything.  I have recently finished a DIY CNC machine, it works and cuts, but I'm starting to fine tune the stepper motors and was trying to figure out what these do. 

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Circle G-Code issue

« on: July 11, 2019, 08:48:01 AM »

I'm new to the CNC world, but I have recently completed a CNC with a 2'x4' table.  I wrote a simple G-Code to carve a circle to see how accurate the different axis' were.  The board was placed at X-23" and Y-8".  When I ran the program, instead of carving a circle of 4" in diameter it looked like it was trying to do a 20" diameter or larger circle.  I thought maybe there was an issue with my drives, but when I looked at the amount of completed path on Mach3 it maybe and traveled 10 degrees around the circle.  I was wondering of someone could look at the G-Code and let me know what I did wrong:
g0 x20.875 y8.0 z-1.4
g1 z-1.5470f2.0
f5.0
g3 x20.875y8.0 i2.125j0 z-1.0695
g0 x20.875y8.0
g1 z-1.6720f2.0
f5.0
g3 x20.875y8.0 i2.125j0 z-1.7345
g0x20.875y8.0
g1 z-1.7970f2.0
f5.0
g3 x20.875y8.0 i2.125j0 z1.20
g0z.1
g0x0y0

3

General Mach Discussion / Another Newbie Help

« on: July 10, 2019, 11:56:59 AM »

I have recently completed the CNC router which was in the WoodSmith magazine.  I am new to the CNC world, so please be patient with me.  I have the all the motors wired and the all three axis move.  I have tuned the motors (velocity, accelration, etc.).  Now, I'm kind of stuck.  What would be the next items I need to set-up before I actually try cutting something?  I am not using limit switches at this time, I was planning on using soft limits until I get a little more familiar with things.  Does anyone know of a tutorial than provides the chain of events you need to go through?

4

General Mach Discussion / Newbie with a few questions

« on: June 27, 2019, 12:18:44 PM »

I am kind of new to the CNC world, but have been a long time woodworker.  About 10 years ago I used and abused a Sears CompuCarve system.  I really liked the things it could do, but the reliability was an issue.  I am a subscriber to WoodSmith magazine and when I read the issues for their design of a CNC machine I decided it was time to get back into the CNC world.  I'm almost finished with the build and just getting started into the control programs.  I have a Mechanical Engineering degree and have used AutoCad for years.  The system I purchased was through Build Your CNC
2) NEMA 24 425 oz-in stepper motors
(2) Drivers (3.0Amp 24-40 Volts, 1-1/64 microstepping)
(1) NEMA 34 651 oz-in stepper motor
(1) Driver (6.0Amp 24-70 Volts, 1/2-1/256 microstepping)
(1) 36v 8.8a Power Supply
(1) Interface Board Depending on the One Selected (USB or Parallel)
I also purchased the system set-up to use Mach3 USB controller, the computer I will be useing is a Lenovo ThinkPad, it has a 2.80GHz processor, 16.0 GB Ram, and is a 64 Bit operating system.  I have purchased and have been messing around with MACH3 a little.  The system will not be used by me personally, not for production work.  OK, enough of the background information.  As I'm getting more and more into this I'm beginning to get a little concerned so if someone would be will could you help me with a few questions:
1)  Do you see any issues with my initial set-up (computer, Mach3 compatibility with the computer, etc.)
2)  I have been looking at purchasing VCarve Pro, in my eyes it seems a little expensive, but others tell me it is on the low end of the spectrum.  Would anyone suggest a different program (I would rather not go over the $800 threshold).
3)  Any other thoughts or suggestions would be welcome