Messages

1

Bargain Basement / CNC4PC system $600

« on: June 07, 2020, 03:12:37 PM »

System is older but never connected till recently. Just went a different direction.

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: gcode box empty

« on: June 07, 2020, 01:42:55 PM »

Thanks for the help. I cured the problem, got Acorn and making parts in a day after getting a new C86 board.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: June 07, 2020, 01:14:59 PM »

FINALLY got it working well, all but the Pendant. Got the EStop to work on it but didn't get the rest configured yet.
Movement is repeatable to the tenth. X-12", Y-9", Z-7".
Had to put 3ph EMI filter on output of the VFD to get rid of spindle noise. I didn't use a shielded cable to the spindle.

THEN MACH4 CRASHES AGAIN!!! No doubt compatibility issues with CNC4PC ESS file and mach4 versions. Even built another computer. I've tried EVERY combo, I'm done with MACH with this old hardware.

Removed all the CNC4PC hardware and built a Acorn system from Arturo. All is good and solid once we figured out I had a bad C86 CNC4PC board. Had it all tuned and running in a day.
Been struggling with the other system for over 2 months 14/7!
Over $1000 of hardware not used anymore but I got no issues and it cost $400 for the cure.

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Steps per unit output will not change axis Movement

« on: May 29, 2020, 08:39:00 AM »

I had that issue. NO matter what I put in the steps/in no change in movement. After power cycle the setting took. Several times the Mach steps calculator wasn't even close to being right, other times it was right on. When I got close I just used my own calculator. I used the Mach calculator when I was within a few tho and it recommended over 20000 step change!

5

Mach4 General Discussion / gcode box empty

« on: May 28, 2020, 08:00:29 AM »

When I load a GCode the dialog box stays empty all of a sudden. If I double click the empty box I will get numbered lines but no other text in the box.
Not sure what I did to make this happen.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: March 18, 2020, 10:22:16 AM »

Well I have able to jog with Mach4 and a different computer.
One issue with Mach is a little more than half the time I restart I have to go back in the ESS plugin Output and enable the charge pump. Kind of annoying being I have to restart so much to configure everything.

I am having trouble tuning the drives, just can't get anything to work on the graph as it says it should look. The motors run fine it seems. I have over 100 hrs trying to tune these things with no luck. CNC4PC recommendations start the motor running and won't stop. I have to turn off control power then control alt delete to end servoconfig. I have to increase the steps to move to 20000 to get to see the top of the graph. Anythng less wont see the top and one motor wont even run at that setting for the test.

I should of bought a whole turn key setup with motors. I got bad advice that this was going to be easy even a caveman like myself could do it. LOL
I certainly thought I would be making parts well before this.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: March 05, 2020, 11:47:14 AM »

OMG! When life throws a curve it really does throw a good one. Got new shop and FINALLY getting back to this now with 7 year NOS. LOL
Powered up the LV side a few days ago and can't get the computer to talk to the ESS yet. GOing to delete and reinstall all software and try again.

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: February 15, 2013, 01:11:41 PM »

Santa in the brown truck dropped off some electronics today. I called the VFD MFG and he said that I have the right VFD for this motor. That was a small load off my mind. Hope the rest comes tomorrow so my weekend warriors and I can work on the panel.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: February 12, 2013, 10:46:29 AM »

I can't read the HP on the nameplate. Searched and a 6A 220V 3ph motor is only 1.5 hp. I hope I am not wrong. I may have to use it for the Bridgeport if I am.


I don't know about the difference in encoders. I have 4 wires and it says HEDS-5500-A06. I searched and the Emerson ones with that PN look different than mine. Mine have a round enclosure and threaded for 3/4" cable connector. I am not against getting what I really need. Just don't want to replace something that will work as is. On work comp right now so funds are tight but time is abundant. Still limited use of the arm but that isn't holding me back too much. I just get tired pretty quick using it and certain positions can give me a fit.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: RoboTool CVM-1 upgrade

« on: February 12, 2013, 10:24:53 AM »

Not sure why I can't get rid of the gray background! I don't see it in the code. LOL Preview was much darker. I see now that every other post has gray BG. Must be in the JS.