Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide

« on: March 07, 2007, 02:45:49 PM »

I'm new to this type of project and need to get some more clarification before I move forward.

I am moving closer to building/modifying one of our old Apple based CNC mills. I want to drive it using the Mach 3 software. In the users guide it says I should use a good  breakout board. It pictures 3 but does not list any manufacturer. I am runnning 3 slo-syn syncronous stepper motors. 1. Do I need a parallel port for each motor or are different pins assigned to different motors?  2. Where do I find the proper breakout board for my motors?

Thanks for any help provided

2

General Mach Discussion / software to convert to .dxf file type

« on: March 04, 2007, 06:27:09 PM »

Hi
I'm just getting started with MachIII and have spent time experimenting with some of the screens. I wrote some  simple N/G code programs and was able to proof and edit them.  I want to now explore how I can use my CAD software - "Pro/Desktop" to design the parts we need for export to a postprocessor - hopefully LazyCam as it is free/reasonably priced and that seems to be my schools budget. We can export IGES files as drawing file types and also a number of graphic types - JPEG, BMP, and STL files. I do need accuracy and I was not sure if the JPEG type would do.  Our first project would involve milling out mounting holes, slots and the overall stretchout shape for some robot chassis from .100 alum stock. Can anyone offer some advice as to:   Will the export of a jpeg file to LazyCAM work well - accurate or should I pursue a different way - a file type conversion from the IGES?  Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on the topic.  Also...could someone point me at a users guide/tutorial/directions for using LazyCam. I feel sure that they must exist and I am overlooking their location.

3

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

« on: March 03, 2007, 05:19:59 PM »

Hi, My name is Will. I'm brand new to this forum and this product. I stumbled across it as I was searching for a cost effective way to convert some of the Apple IIE based CNC machines our HS owns. I have some basic knowledge of manual CNC programming and also CAD. As our schools budget is quite tight, I hope to learn enough to convert these machines and build a CNC router as well. My goal is to learn enough to teach the students how to design a part using CAD, and then later via proper software generate code and machine it on a one of the CNC machines. I have taught in the  Baltimore Maryland USA area for the past 30 odd years and was curious to see if someone reading the forum who has successfully adapted/built a machine was located nearby.(always great to see something new firsthand)  This activity should l prove to be a good learning experience for both my students and myself.