Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Installing a Laser - a nightmare to me!

« on: November 30, 2022, 08:29:17 PM »

Thanks Tweekie.

I cannot use M10/11 commands as one of my laser programs does not recognise them so i am stuck with M3/M5 so not a major issue.

Have traced a continuity issue to a faulty DB25 cable.  All now is working well except the PWM voltage directly out of the computer port is only 4.02 Volts and the scope trace is fine.  M3 and M5 works flawlessly and power is set to S100.

I assume I need to get 5 volts PWM to achieve full power.   Any help is much appreciated as the laser only a 5 watt laser diode.

I love cats too!!!

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Installing a Laser - a nightmare to me!

« on: November 28, 2022, 10:32:20 PM »

I have made some headway in the last few months.
Using M3 and M5 and a Vetric post processor the laser now turns on and off under direction of G1 and GO commands.
However using S100 command i am only getting a 2.7 volt PWM signal not the expected 5.0 volt.  Moreover the signal is very dirty and shows a chopped signal on the scope.
Cutting trials indicate about half power as one would expect from a 2.7 v PWM signal.
Any assistance is much appreciated

3

General Mach Discussion / Installing a Laser - a nightmare to me!

« on: July 12, 2022, 01:45:13 AM »

I am using Mach 3 and Gecko 540 on a router cutter.  The router works perfectly.
The laser is three wire - 12 volt and a 5 Volt  PWM connections.
I have set up the spindle setup with relay control M3 and M4 at 2.  Motor control with PMW on.
Outputs are using pin1 and pin 14
I am using M3 and M5 in the G code and S for power.

I hope the above is correct.  If not please advise.

My question is how do I wire up the PWM circuit so that the laser is active and switches off and on rapids in accordance with the G Code?

FYI - If I apply 5 Volts DC to the PWM line and an earth to the laser head it fires 100% all the time and cuts really well.

Please help as I now have bald patches.  Any help is much appreciated.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port issue

« on: May 13, 2019, 06:06:28 PM »

ISSUE SOLVED

I have solved the Mach 3 issue having checked the pin voltages and determined the dual printer card I have used for several years was faulty as was one other and also a new express card was only 3.3 volts. 
 
I located an old XP computer with a on board parallel port and all works normally.

I thank all the contributors who helped to solve the issue.  Thank you.



 

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port issue

« on: May 10, 2019, 05:08:18 AM »

I have no idea. But it is fairy new.  How can I tell?

Just to confirm - I re-checked the card in Device Manager and can confirm its address is B907 at LPT3.

Thanks

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port issue

« on: May 10, 2019, 02:53:39 AM »

Yes - I know it looks odd - I thought so too.  But that was what Device manager provided under the resource tab.
Thanks for your input.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port issue

« on: May 10, 2019, 02:13:07 AM »

In the meantime I established that the printer ports actually derived from a dual card so as both machines had same problem (ie  all motors turning when one motor was jogged ) the printer card may be the issue.

I installed two new printer cards but now I just cannot get the motors to jog using either card no matter what I do even reducing the Mach 3 configuration to the bare minimum.  The old card continues to activate all motors when one key is pressed.

The Gecko G 540 stepper is in its normal state showing no fault condition and the motors are locked ie full torque and the Diag screen looks normal.

Both machines have worked perfectly for many years so the motor wiring and printer leads etc are totally serviceable.

Attached is my config file.


Regards  Paul Hinson

8

General Mach Discussion / Parallel port issue

« on: May 08, 2019, 06:38:10 PM »

I have 2 CNC machines running on Win XP each sing a Gecko G 540 interface on Mach 3 on a common computer using 2 printer cards
Both have run without problems for several years.
Now both have same issue - when I jog one motor all motors move!
The Mach 3 configuration of both machines appear to be unchanged
I have re-installed Mach 3 and re-installed the printer card drivers but the problem continues.
Any help is much appreciated.

9

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach 3 R3.043.066 and Windows 7 problems.

« on: September 21, 2013, 11:12:55 PM »

My machine ran and still runs perfectly on XP.  When install Mach 3 on new machine running 32 bit Win 7 and using the XP config file then when I jog one axis the other two axes also move!!!!

I am not running in admin mode and problem remaims if I run in standared or XP compatability mode.

Any ides for I am stumped!

Paul Hinson

10

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lost Lines

« on: February 13, 2010, 06:24:21 PM »

After a few hours of messing about the problem is solved and reason now is clear.

I have recently been creating G code files from Lcam files and it does not matter if those files were created with a registered or unregistered version of Mach 3 -  50 line restriction.

When I go back to the original DFX files and create G code files therefrom in LC these is no line restriction.  I am using Mill only.

Seems like a bug in LC and makes one ask what Lcam files are for if this is indeed the cause of the restriction?

Whatever, now cooking on gas

Many thanks Rich for your input.

Regards   Paul Hinson