Messages

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Can other software be causing Mach3 cutting 'lag' issues?

« on: March 17, 2016, 11:40:34 AM »

To update in case anyone finds this thread useful in the future:  I have run the machine some more and not witnessed the same problem again.  This was after uninstalling all unnecessary software including Google Chrome and unplugging the USB wireless network adapter.

It does leave me to believe it was the computer 'dropping' signals somewhere along the line causing the machine to either stutter or continue a motion.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: tabs

« on: March 09, 2016, 07:01:41 AM »

Out of curiosity, what thickness of skin did you leave?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: tabs

« on: March 09, 2016, 06:33:44 AM »

If I have any joy when I eventually try it (I need to re-level my spoilboard and [maybe] rebuild my Z first) I'll let you know!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Can other software be causing Mach3 cutting 'lag' issues?

« on: February 26, 2016, 02:35:35 PM »

Wow thanks Dave, that instills some confidence that I was thinking along the right lines - turning the internet off is a really good idea too.  I'll give it a try with a fresh mind and my fingers crossed!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits issue

« on: February 26, 2016, 02:25:15 PM »

EDIT:  scratch that, I think I've confused myself - it's been a few months.  I think I upped the Kernel speed to try and fix the 'Go to Zero' (using the 2010 buttons at the top).  Either that or adding a second PSU I think fixed it but I tend not to use it because once I've had automation problems I tend to try and simplify and manually control stuff.

I had a problem whilst homing too where it hit the softlimits sometimes but I upped the kernel speed and that seemed to fix it - my thinking was that Mach was struggling to output steps quick enough on the computer it's on.  (I was clutching at straws!)  But hey, if it works why fix it (which it now again doesn't :-D).  I don't think the screenset has been causing any of the issues - my understanding is that it's just an interface that gives the Mach3 base software commands (with the exceptions like auto-zeroing and so on)

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General Mach Discussion / Can other software be causing Mach3 cutting 'lag' issues?

« on: February 26, 2016, 02:09:29 PM »

I wonder if anyone can shed any light on this please:  Is it possible for other software running to cause a sort of 'lag' for Mach3 issuing commands to the drivers?

I'm running the Mach3 2010 screenset on Windows XP out via Parallel to a BOB with drivers etc attached.  Everything has been running fine and then today whilst jogging the Z down (via keyboard), the Z continued going and dug the cutter into the bed after I'd let my finger off.  The spindle wasn't running so fortunately the stepper stalled otherwise I would have been in a world of hurt!  I figured it was just maybe a USB keyboard glitch but then whilst cutting (which was going fine) it seemed to make a grinding noise, didn't move very far (it wasn't jammed, it was still cutting:  it appeared to be being 'commanded' to make the move) and then continued cutting a nice smooth curve as if nothing had happened!  In fact it was cutting a fresh offset curve (because it had lost it's position) with a much deeper DOC (16mm vs the 6mm I usually cut at!).

I was wondering if Mach3 sent the commands and they got somehow delayed, or lost, before getting to the drivers?  Could another program (I had Chrome open on the computer!) be causing Windows to lag somehow and lose commands?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: tabs

« on: February 26, 2016, 01:41:29 PM »

Interesting to hear you want to move back from onion-skinning - I'm just in the process of wanting to move towards it!  What problems did you encounter?

I currently use the same method as Gerry by the sounds of it, except I turn the sheet over after cutting and use a hacksaw blade to cut through the tabs first, and then put it on the bench to go round with the trim router.  The trim router cutter is a larger diameter than the downcut I use on the machine which is one of the reasons I do this.

The problem I'm finding at the moment is that because the (in-this-case) birch ply is on show, without decent sanding, you can see the difference in where the tabs were cut vs where the surface was cut.  I ideally wanted to cut through all the way so I could leave the fresh-cut surface on display.  That or find a better method of thumb-backed sanding!!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Softlimits issue

« on: February 26, 2016, 01:30:38 PM »

Hi, I know this might not help much but I experienced something similar - Mach3 would say that the softlimits had been reached before they had.  If I remember correctly the DRO showed the correct position for the machine but it somehow thought that it was within the limits (which it wasn't!).  Unfortunately I was never able to correct this (using Windows XP and Mach3 2010 Screenset) so I switched them off.  I have limit switches on all but the downwards-Z direction which can help (unless the machine wants to plough into the bed like it did earlier!).  If someone does have a solution I'd also most like to try it!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: A Puzzler: Is the Parallel Pin connected to the GND side or the PIN# side?

« on: February 26, 2014, 05:17:21 AM »

Thanks for you replies!

I'll have a look again later at the system now that I have (just arrived!) the relay and parts to set up a better (and hopefully working!) limit switching system.

From what I could tell though and because the homing only worked as per the original diagram I'm left to believe that the labelling on the breakout board is wrong or something beyond my comprehension is happening.  I tried the active low/high swapping before with no luck.  I was left to assume that the breakout board is either inverting the signal Mach3 receives (so what I read is the opposite of what is happening at the parallel pin) or the pin is actually held to ground - for now if it works after I've fiddled with the limit switching system I think I'll leave it and not worry too much (I just really like to understand exactly what's going off!).

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Is "GND" in the manual Common and +5v on the ZP5A-INT breakout board? (please!)

« on: February 11, 2014, 12:43:58 PM »

Hi Tweakie,  thanks for your reply - I've been trying to work out what the Mach3/BoB combination is doing because I can't fathom where the pin lies in the BoB circuit.  Mach3 seems to see the opposite of what I expect (i.e. it thinks an open NC switch is active low rather than the expected active high)... I've made another post because I wasn't sure it suited this subject heading which I hope to be OK.  I'd be grateful if you'd be willing to take a look to see what you think - it's a strange one (I can't work out whether the pin is connected on the GND or the PIN# side of the terminals!):

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,26551.new.html#new

Regards,

Matthew