Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Micromill 2000, Denford Microlathe

« on: December 31, 2008, 03:05:26 PM »

If you go to pmdx.com, Steve is the guy that helped me pick out what I needed: PMDX-122 breakout board and 3- PMDX-150 driver boards which I think are now discontinued (I just found out). The transformer in my mill put out voltages we able to rectify to meet the requirements of his boards. A friend and I built a couple of regulators for that purpose. You will more than likely need to do the same thing if you have a tap off the transformer which could work. If anyone is going to CFever, he is there usually.
I removed their (Denford's) boards from the mounting plate and was able to mount all the new boards on it very neatly, if you do not have a schematic for the machine, you will need get one and/or trace out each circuit for which they apply: E-Stop, door switch, limit switches, spindle speed board etc. I may have a schematic from mine but, it may be a little different according to the pic's. Denford sent me one! Anyway, you may seek help from a friend if you are not strong in that department as I did.
BTW, I will be displaying at CF as well as my friend who helped me. I will be at the table where "Duesy" is being displayed , not mine but another friend for the ease of locating me. Good Luck! Colin

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 06:01:47 PM »

I wish all my problems were this simple! Thanks Guy's

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 05:48:48 PM »

I will go try it right now!...Let you know in 10 min. or so. Colin

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 05:43:10 PM »

Hood, thanks for the reply, does this even matter if I am trying to just simulate? Colin

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 05:30:38 PM »

Thanks for the reply Ray, the problem I have encountered is when I tried to simulate the file it Stopped me saying there was a "Software Limits" issue. I am not sure where the problem is and this was the first thing that came to mind. I thought I would try to move the job into one quadrant because, If 0,0,0 is where the machine thinks home is, it also knows it is where the soft limit is right?
The file takes up a good bit of the work envelope on the X axis, so if there is say an 1.5" of the job in -X and the balance(5.5)" in +X axis which has an 8"travel, does that mean I should move my 0-X away from the home position an 1.5"? Does this even matter if I just want to simulate it? Colin

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Micromill 2000, Denford Microlathe

« on: December 30, 2008, 12:56:43 PM »

I have pretty much the exact same mill however, I decided it was in my best interest to use industry standard components as it will not tie you to that OEM's proprietary equipment. I used PMDX boards, had a friend help me with voltage requirements but, other than that, I was able to keep all their other safeguards and wired them accordingly and it turned out to be a very clean and neat retrofit(especially for a first timer). It is up and running and so far I am pleased with it's performance. And you can probably do it for the same money or less. I can give you a list everything I used if you want it. Hope this helps! CT

7

General Mach Discussion / Work space parameters, Quandrants

« on: December 30, 2008, 12:34:00 PM »

Can someone point me to past posts regarding workspace parameters? To be more specific, can I work in the -X & -Y axis?...I currently have work that was drawn in -X Quadrant and I am assuming mach3 "software limits"are why it will not simulate or run the file. Thanks Colin

8

General Mach Discussion / Cannot get into Mach3

« on: November 18, 2008, 02:29:30 PM »

Everything was fine a few months ago, I just haven't had time to get out to the shop. Computer boots up but seems like it will not even go into windows. I may be in the wrong place here but, I purchased this computer "refurbished" solely for the purpose of running this mill with Mach3. Any idea's? Thanks Colin

9

General Mach Discussion / Sherline mode or not?

« on: July 31, 2008, 09:50:39 PM »

Hi, I have a questech cnc educational mill I retrofitted with PMDX 122 breakout board, PMDX 150 driver boards. The mill is a sherline with oriental PK 266-e2.0a 2-phase stepper motors w/1.8 deg. step. I have read quite a bit of the past posts regarding motor tuning and config. however, I am not clear whether or not I should be using the sherline mode. I am a little confused as to what it's function is. I have finally got these motors to work by jogging. I configured the boards for 1/8 step, which if I understand this correctly, computes to 32000 steps per. with a .050" worm. (200X20X8)
I set the steps per to 28000 and let mach fig. it for me from there and it computed a figure around 31950. It seems really accurate.

1. Do I leave what mach did or do I change it to 32000 even?
2. I did this tuning with the sherline mode activated, was this the right thing to do?
3. What is the best practical, reliable and accurate setting for me to use as a beginner?
4. I set my backlash for Y and seems to come back right on the money however, after finally getting X accurate, it wanted to go past my "zero" .001" each time. Y did not do that. Is this normal and/or can it be fixed? (Even though it is going past my "zero" check, it is also accounting for it, which is right)

Thanks for any help! Colin

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Wave form??

« on: July 24, 2008, 09:30:00 AM »

The equipment I am using is PMDX, pmdx-122 breakout board, 150 drivers. Motors are steppers. All lights lit are normal on the boards according to there instructions. (Active & Ready). I will try to get more info on the computer side of things.