Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: need help with mach 3 setup

« on: December 11, 2009, 06:37:31 PM »

Thanks got it. I ended up downloading the upgrade and transfering the registration. now I need to move it to the computer that runs the machine.
Ted

2

General Mach Discussion / need help with mach 3 setup

« on: December 11, 2009, 12:43:23 PM »

When trying to setup mach 3  I can set the first two pages in the config tab but the motor tuning tab shows nothing when I click on it. What am I doing wrong or is this a glitch in the software?
 The motors move the gantry and all the axis move when jogging but only very slowly and when I run the roadrunner program it barely moves.
The video shows a mm set up but I used inches. then I set it in mm but still don't get the motor tuning page.
 Thanks Ted

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 18, 2009, 12:32:39 AM »

Turns out the power supply was 26 volts ac not dc output. I am now looking for a new power supply..Gecko wants dc.
Ted

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 16, 2009, 07:17:10 AM »

Jeff
You could be right . In looking back at my thread I was told they were unipolar wired in bipolar not servos wired as steppers.

 The motors worked well with this power supply in it's original state so I don't see why they wouldn't work with the g540 at the same voltage, after all it is rated at 18 to 48 volts ( the gecko that is). I guess we'll see as I am doing it to my machine. Don't want to hijack  this thread but you are right ...better motors and a higher voltage should give an optimized performance. Depends on where you want your machine to be. and how much you want to spend.
  Ted

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 15, 2009, 11:18:36 PM »

Bp
 go back to your last thread. I am doing the same thing as you and have a thread going on  CNC ZONE. lots of info there. more info on your last thread on how to get there. sometimes it takes a while to read all the  requests and we all have lives that get in the way. be patient. it took me all summer to get the right info. my 540 gecko drive arrived today. I'll be documenting my progress in my thread.

your motors are servos, wired in a bipolar stepper configuration same as mine. the three extra wires are for the limit switches. all the wiring is on my cnc zone thread. the m100 box is old and won't process the mack 3 software, it was designed for dos based software. the g540 is a good move. my thread shows which motor wire goes to which pin on the g540. you should be able to use the power supply from the m100 box, it is a 24 volt output system then you can use the power on/off switch and e-stop and use the box. you will need modern software also to do your cad/cam requirements. I got bobcad which I am happy with, but there are others out there. you will learn about them as you go.

Good luck.
  Ted

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and older Techno

« on: September 14, 2009, 11:49:35 PM »

I purchased Mach3 to run my first gen. Techno gantry style machine. It has a Mac 100 controller and I am using a PC with Vista.

Where do I begin?

Am I going to have problems with the old controller? If so, what controller will work?

Am I going to have problems with Vista? If so, do I need to downgrade to XP?

The Techno has steppers, so the out of date servo motors is not an issue.

Bottom line, I spent 8 hours watching a experienced Tech scratch his head trying to make my machine run. I need help, advice, and any other type of support you can offer. Let me thank you in advance, it is much appreciated.


BTW, I am in the Memphis area, and if you can hook my machine up and get it cutting, please let me arrange for you to visit our shop. Best Regards


BP

Bp:
I am doing the same thing you are!!  Purchased an older Techno Isel with the mac 100 controller and I am in the process of upgrading to mach 3 and the gecko 540. See my thread on CNC Zone, the  Techno forum,  under: Need help! (You can google cnc zone) pictures and everything. The guys there have been helping me out  and sent a lot of info. Some of it should be of a help to you. The gecko should be here any day and I just got the mach 3 program today. I hope to use the mac 100 power supply and box with the on-off switch and the e-stop switch, dump the drivers and breakout board. You will probably need the resistors for the motor wires. I will ask on my thread.  ohpakron seems to be leading you in the right direction but it's good to double check sometimes.There is an explanation of which wire goes to which pin from the old motors to the gecko dp conector pin. Techno does not provide service for this older stuff but when I called them they did send me the manual by email. It has all the wiring diagrams etc. in it. Call them and ask for tech support and request the pcmac 100 manual. If this doesn't work for me I will get a new power supply and new motors and new cables here: http://Http://www.cncrouterparts.com/index.html. Good prices and everything matches up with the gecko 540 and works with mach 3. There is a link for a complete box on my thread also, with or without the g540.
Hope this helps.

Ted

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: June 15, 2009, 12:27:00 PM »

Hi. Ted Here. I just bought a 4x4 Techno isel router, used, and am in the proccess of getting it going. The com port 2 on the 486 computer is blown  , so my brother got a different computer ready for it. This machine was running on dos based bobcad / mastercam software and has a mac100 controlbox.( 1991 stuff) We hope to get it moving / cutting this weekend. I have purchased bobcad/cam v23 and some addons for the program, will soon upgrade to windows based, the modern stuff. I intend to get the mack3 program to run the controll box. Complete newbie at this cnc machining thing so the learning curve wiil be steep on all fronts. Well enough for now. Question will come I'm sure. I hang at cnczone on theTechno forum and in the Canadian clubhouse. (Tsooko).

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!