Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine stopped responding after mach3 calibration?

« on: May 09, 2015, 09:22:22 PM »

Thanks Hood, I was running the calibration because my cuts were getting off a bit. I did get it going again but don't really know what the heck happen. thank you!

2

General Mach Discussion / Machine stopped responding after mach3 calibration?

« on: May 07, 2015, 12:36:26 PM »

I noticed my index holes were getting too tight so I calibrated the x and y. for some reason now my steppers don't move on those two axis. my Z still moves as I didn't calibrate it. any help I would be happy to hear from you guys, thanks!

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 12, 2015, 12:26:43 PM »

Also, can you hook up the switches in series or does each one need a separate feed from the connector?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 12, 2015, 12:25:17 PM »

OK, It's a DB9. so do I just get an old DB9 cable and cut it, find the wire for the pins I want to use? And as far as the switches go, can they be one of those little micro switches I can get a Radio Shack?

I might check out ebay for the switches too, That way they'll have some type of holder with them. Sorry to ask so much about this, but I'm in hopes that this will keep my zero position saved for me.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 12, 2015, 10:19:44 AM »

could someone help me with where and how to hook up the home switches on my controller. this is the one I have now, I just need to know where to get some switches and where they go..thanks.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 06, 2015, 08:09:43 PM »

The safest thing to do if your machine has dials is make a mark roughly where each axis is or if it has scales right down the scale value. Then record the dial values to. That way you can move back there even after a power off.  I've done it this way for years.  You do of course have an edge finder and a dial indicator right?  Because they are the basic tools of picking up part locations, aligning things, checking your machine etc. So if don't have them it's something you really ought to get. They save a ton of time too.  LittleMachineShop has a fairly decent dial indicator for relatively little money.  For an edge finder I use a Starrett, and I've tried some imports to save maybe $10 but they just don't seem to work as well.

At the start of the project, I was going to write down the settings and got lazy, my fault. Thanks for the info, it has helped.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 06, 2015, 08:07:03 PM »

Thank you very much, I don't have home switches and never have. It's not been an issue until this project, so I need to learn a little more about Mach3 I guess. that video you linked should get me on my way, thanks again!

8

General Mach Discussion / Need some help understanding ZERO!

« on: April 06, 2015, 12:36:01 PM »

I'm really new to me Mach3 and CNC machine and have a question. The way I've been doing things so far is making random things and my Zero position on my table has never been in the same place. What happen is I made a project near the center of my table that involved me making 2 index holes so I could flip my project over an do the other side. well, like a dummy I moved zero and saved the table............ Is there any way to find this spot again?

I'm guessing not , so how does one keep moving his zero all around and not lose the settings? I know this sounds dumb to you pro's in here, but I can't figure it out and was looking for some help....thanks for viewing!

9

General Mach Discussion / Z axis problem, lifts too high.

« on: August 13, 2013, 02:52:38 PM »

I can't seem to figure out what has happened to my Z axis. My X and Y are fine, but for some reason my Z lifts off the table way too high over the material. I reinstalled Mach3 thinkiking something was not right, butit still has the issue. Anyone ever have this before? .......thank you

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why do my inside cuts look this way?

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:13:12 AM »

I'll check the things you guys mentioned, but the odd thing is it's always on inside profiles.......I can cut a outside profile and it works fine.