Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Motor relay with Gecko G540

« on: March 31, 2009, 02:22:02 PM »

Has anyone who is using a Gecko G540 with Mach 3 implemented a relay to start and stop your spindle motor?  I had one configured while I was using a XYLotex board, using a Crydom D2425 solid state relay but I can't get it to work with the G540.  It's connected as is described in the Gecko documentation but nothing seems to work.  Is there something in Mach 3 that I may be missing?  The Spindle relays are left unchecked (enabled) in Mach 3 for M3 clockwise and M4 counter-clockwise with Output #1 set to pin 17.  Thanks in advance....

2

General Mach Discussion / Loading the Gecko G540 XML file

« on: March 19, 2009, 10:18:44 AM »

This has to be one of those questions that has an obvious answer but I'm stumped.  Gecko provides an XML file to use with their G540 with all of the correct Mach3 settings.  All they say is load it into Mach3 but have no mention of how.  How do you load an XML file into Mach3?

Thanks in advance...

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Stepper Motor Problem/Issue

« on: February 07, 2009, 12:46:58 PM »

The high pitched noise isn't the same as what I've heard when actually driving the motors.  While the motors are making the noise I noticed that they 'twitch' back and forth not committing to one direction or another.  I've played with the speeds and steps and have not found anything that makes a difference in any way.  I do know that while the shafts are twitching I can grab the shaft and turn it at will in either direction.  When I let go, it continues to 'twitch and growl'.  To me, it looks like the controller may be sending the pulses but at a voltage or amperage that is too low to actually drive the shaft.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Stepper Motor Problem/Issue

« on: February 06, 2009, 04:20:09 PM »

Thanks everyone.  While moving the axis connections around I noticed that the Y motor was making low volume a high pitched sound which has deteriorated to the exact same behavior of the Z motor.  You are probably DAlgie since the issue is creeping across the whole controller.  I bought this with the XYlotex gear installed and if I were starting over with a new mill I don't think I would purchase the XYlotex again.

So, knowing this along with the issue I have I'm just going to scrap the XYLotex and rebuild.  Can anyone guide me a little on what I should buy?  I think I am narrowed down a short list of Gecko or a Taig closed loop system.  I haven't seen anything stating that the Gecko gear is closed loop so shouldn't the motors I have work OK with it??  My current motors do have the optical coupling stuff so would this imply that they could also work with the Taig controller.  The optical stuff currently has a pigtail coming out of the motor housing that is cut and taped up.  I don't remember if I noted what type of mill I had above so just in case it is a Taig....

Thanks everyone.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Stepper Motor Problem/Issue

« on: February 04, 2009, 02:47:02 PM »

Thanks for your reply...

The motor is a Tamagawa (or Jamagawa) but now I know more.  I moved the connection to a different axis and the other motor behaves the same way so the problem has to be in the controller box or board.  Later I'll open it up and check continuity on all connections and do a overall visual inspection.  I'm using a XyLotex controller and am now wondering if the symptoms are indicative of known issues and where to look for them.  I don't know how else to approach it.

6

General Mach Discussion / Stepper Motor Problem/Issue

« on: February 04, 2009, 12:28:36 PM »

Hi all,

One of my stepper motors started acting oddly and started sometime after a limit switch failed and Z hit the top limit.  When it did this it made a sound similar to a clutch on a cordless drill, a kind of course grinding sound.  Now, I have if out on my bench and see that it is turning but in a really jerking manner.  If I increase the speed via motor tuning it does turn up to a point then the shaft stops turning and the motor (I think) is still turning inside.

So, How can I tell what is going on with the motor?  I don't want to take it apart until I know something about it.  Do they have a 'clutch' mechanism inside of them?  Should I go ahead and order a replacement or is it likely that I could correct the problem?

Thanks in advance......

7

General Mach Discussion / Post processor for Catia and Mach3

« on: December 08, 2008, 06:35:22 PM »

Does anyone know of a post that will work with Mach3 without requiring a lot of modification?  Either to post Catia NC output or convert APT output.  Is tracking down a post processor generator worth the effort?

Thanks in advance,
Will

8

General Mach Discussion / Visual Mill Z Axis

« on: October 21, 2008, 07:58:32 PM »

Hi everyone,

Playing with Visual Mill - Visual CAM and their Mach3-MM Post, it looks like the Z Axis is being driven in reverse.  When running a 4-Axis roughing program the Z axis will plunge down to -10 then increment itself back to 0.  Does anyone know where I should look to correct this, if this is in fact the problem.  Mach 3, VM, or the VM Post?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Will

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Repeating a program with an increasing variable

« on: October 15, 2008, 07:02:15 PM »

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.  I'll search on your suggestion and hopefully find everything.

10

General Mach Discussion / Repeating a program with an increasing variable

« on: October 15, 2008, 04:44:12 AM »

Is there a way within Mach 3 to execute a small cnc program, advance the A axis and run the same program again 23 more times incrementing the index of the A axis?  Basically, loop through a program bumping the A index a few degrees each time?  I scanned the G code list looking for a 'relative' position code but didn't see anything.  By relative I mean, advance the axis by x degrees from where it currently sets and not specify an absolute location.

Thanks in advance....