Topics

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / machine from drawing

« on: January 02, 2009, 12:32:47 PM »

What is the best way to machine with Mach directly from a drawing without using Mastercam to generate the G-code? The part has a spherical bowl for instance.

2

Brains Development / Rotary air clamp

« on: October 15, 2008, 01:13:19 PM »

Hi all,
I have a rotary axis with an air clamp on it.  What I would like mach to do is turn the air clamp on for me when the axis isn't moving.  I'm assuming I should do this with a brain.  What I can do, is set up one output to enable the air brake switch and to turn the servo motor off simultaneously so it will free run.  Then whenever the motor is commanded to move, disable that output and have an input going back to mach to tell it that it is ready to move and the air switch is off.  Anyone have any ideas?  Thanks.

3

General Mach Discussion / Tool Change

« on: January 02, 2008, 10:22:06 AM »

Hello everyone,
I'm wondering if there is a way to make a tool change just by putting in "T#".  Right now, the way I make a tool change I have to put in "T1 M6 G43 H1"  That whole string could be done with just T1. Every other control I've used just needs T1 and it pulls in the offset and diameter for that tool.  Is there a way to make this possible with mach 3?  Thanks!
-Leith

4

General Mach Discussion / Galil locked up

« on: October 31, 2007, 12:11:22 PM »

I have been testing a Galil system and thought I was close to having it operational. The jog is working, I was able to command position and move all axis, but my X axis was not moving the exact amount commanded. I went to the automatic setup and when I made it move a value of "1" I did not like the amount shown in the window that asked how much it moved so I cancelled instead of accepting. My axis has not moved by command since. I can still jog in all axis but cannot get it to move to a MDI commanded position. I have tried restarting my system, and even chosen an earlier setup to see if I inadvertently set a parameter wrong. Nothing I do seems to  be effective in making it move by command now. Any ideas?

5

General Mach Discussion / motors turn one way only

« on: October 10, 2007, 07:09:26 PM »

I now have my motor responding to the controller. But the motor will only spin one direction no matter what command I give it. It will spin with the jog or with the MDI command. The speed is adjustable. The motor is quiet. (I have only hooked up one axis to test the system at this point.) I have checked and re-checked my connections and pin settings. Ports are correct. I'm not sure what to check next. I have a Gecko drive and Brushed DC motors with a CNC4PC I/O and am controlling through a printer port. The Mach 3 ran my Galil setup but two axis were reversed. What do you think?

6

General Mach Discussion / motors won't move

« on: October 09, 2007, 09:07:43 PM »

I have installed the Mach 3 system on my computer and downloaded a Galil plugin. The system worked but with some issues. So I hooked up the Gecko system with just one motor. I set all of the parameters as needed. When I turn on the system the driver will hold the motor. But when I try to move the motor with the jog or any MDI instruction nothing happens. I have double (triple) checked all of my settings and don't see anything wrong. I checked the forum and found where someone else had the same problem. I downloaded the file sent to them and installed it on my computer (I am afraid it was an older version of Mach 3 but I'm not sure). It found the license and re-installed. Still nothing. I changed the driver and the I/O board and tried again. Still no movement.
Any ideas?