Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Backlash

« on: August 06, 2006, 01:05:18 PM »

Hi All:
My home-built machine has one slight drawback.  On my Y axis I am using a chain & sprocket system.  Works very well except when the Y changes directions, I get about .015" less travel in the new direction.  If the Y moves & continues to move in the same direction I lose NO more distance, but as soon as the Y goes in the opposite direction again there seems to be a slight lag, then the Y moves which results into an average of .015" lost.
This is very noticeable when cutting a circle.  It produces a very slight out of roundness.
I have checked all the mechanical stuff & I think it is just in the fit between the chain & the drive sprocket & all the links.

How can I adjust Mach3 to correct this problem.
Please be specific with the instructions. I do not fully understand what I have read about the backlash within the documentation.
Thanks all.
Rusty

2

General Mach Discussion / Make Cuts without writing g-code

« on: August 02, 2006, 10:55:05 PM »

Hi All:
On occassion all I need to do is cut a straight line on the X or Y axis (to true up a face or for alignment purposes).
Is there a way that I can use Mach3 with out writing a g-code?
Thanks.
Rusty

3

General Mach Discussion / Jerky Motion & Poor Quality in Curves

« on: July 16, 2006, 11:36:15 PM »

Howdy all:
Recently purchased V-Carve Pro from Vectric.  Great program.  I seem to be getting Jerky Motion & Poor Quality in Curves.  Mach3 has never done this to me on it's own when I have converted dxf files.
Just wondering if anyone may have some suggestions as to what might be going on.
If I slow the feedrate down to about 10 inches/min as less the quality greatly improves and the jerkiness is to a minimum, but now it takes forever to cut.
I have the Constant Velocity already selected.
Thanks.

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / File name for a g-code conversion

« on: June 17, 2006, 11:35:59 PM »

I have been getting some g-code from one of my friends that he has converted into g-code from one of his design programs.  When I load the program there is no file name identifier.  I would like to edit the code (up-front, first-line) so I can quickly see if the right program loaded, as I will have several files that are somewhat similar in design.
What would I type in the first line so that it does not affect the program?
Thanks to all.

5

General Mach Discussion / Which version of Mach3 should I buy?

« on: June 09, 2006, 09:41:27 PM »

Hobbies always take the back-seat to making a living, but it is now time to buy Mach3.
I am glad I waited a bit to get a better feel for Mach3. The forums have realy enlightened me but now my dilema is that I am now a little confused as to which version I should be looking to buy.  The version I now have does not seem to have LCam & it is running great.  Should I look at a more current version with LCam (what version is it) or just keep what I have?
If I so decide to go with the LCam version do I have to remove the old so I can install the new or will Mach3 just load right over the old & keep all my settings/preferences?
Thanks to all.  Talk to you later.

6

General Mach Discussion / Design & Machining Software

« on: June 07, 2006, 11:04:51 PM »

Hi all: 
Is there any affordable designing & machining software out there, like ArtCam Pro (for the hobbiest)?
Thanks.

7

General Mach Discussion / When should a computer be upgraded for cnc?

« on: June 03, 2006, 07:16:25 PM »

I have tested Mach3 using my older 1000mhz system going thru a Logitrol stepper package for my cnc router.  I has worked perfectly. Did not need to go & fine tune anything.  Before I fully register & purchase Mach3 should I consider updating/upgrading my computer?
Would appreciate any thoughts & comments on this.
Thanks.

8

General Mach Discussion / What file extension should I use for Mach3

« on: June 03, 2006, 12:03:20 AM »

I have the opportunity to have someone design some projects for me in ArtCam8.
When we went to export file to a different (than ArtCam native format) a list came up with many file extension choices.
Just wondering if anyone would know which is the best one to chose?
Many different choices of (*.tap)
one for Mach2 (*.cnc)
many with the words "g-code" (several different extensions)

When I find the right extension & load the file into Mach3, will I need to do anything extra or can I just go ahead & run the file?

Thanks.

9

General Mach Discussion / DXF to G-code oddities (new to this stuff)

« on: May 30, 2006, 10:02:48 PM »

When I design/draw something (simple) in TurboCad, import that file, then convert to g-code within Mach3, it will not run.  It displays a message about line "O".  It appears to be a file name.  When I edit out that line it works fine.
How can I avoid getting that problem/message everytime?
Also it appears that Mach3 makes some assumptions about the Z axis.  Can I go somewhere within Mach3 and setup some default parameters as per how I would generally cut my projects so when I do a g-code conversion it codes accordingly?

I have looked at the offsets screen and I need to learn a few things (of course & it will never end). All I want to do is offset my tool so that when the project is cut the final project actually is the size as drawn.

One other thing for now. 
I drew a 3 inch diameter circle & cut it.  I drew a 2 X 4 retangle & cut it.  Both were g-code converted thru Mach3.  Here's the weird thing.  The circle cut clock-wise & the square cut counter-clock-wise. Why is this?

Thanks.

10

General Mach Discussion / Testing Mach3 with difficulties

« on: May 23, 2006, 11:25:25 PM »

As per the tutorial suggesting using the Roadrunner.tap for testing purposes.  That worked fine.  Closed out that file & selected a different g-code file from the Mach3/G-Code folder. That worked fine. Tested another one. That's when the problems arouse.  I loaded the Roadrunner file back up but when I Run the program all I got was something totally diiferent. I am assuming it was one of the last programs I ran.  The g-code & the roadrunner toolpaths were on the screen but that is not what I was air-cutting.  I had to re-boot the computor to get the Roadrunner program to work properly.
Am I not closing out the previous program properly or is there something wrong with my system ?
I also noticed that from the Toolpaths screen I was not able to run/start the programs from my pendent control, I had to switch back to the main screen.
Also, while the program is running the green line on the toolpath does not follow/correspond with the original drawing lines.  What is normal here ?
Thanks.