Messages

1

Mach Screens / Re: OEM button code

« on: January 30, 2021, 02:00:02 PM »

Hi all, Back in 2009 or 2010, don't remember which, I designed and built CNC mach3 controlled quilter for my wife who is big into quilting.  Here's the problem.  When I built the system, I used an HP Z5000 laptop computer that I inherited from my work as the control station.  We had much success up until I moved from Germany to the USA.  When we got back to the states after an absence of 10 years, I set up the quilter again, but had to use a different computer. I loaded up the Mach3 and set up the screens I had made to control the machine, but I found a problem.  My Rockcliff Parallel controller crapped out and I had to buy a new one.  My thought was to get a mach3 usb cnc controller.  Well, I got it and finally got the machine configured and running correctly.  Or so I thought!
What I found out was after installing Mach3, everything worked except one thing.  The "OFFLINE" toggle button! I've been pulling my hair out for almost a year now, and no joy!  I don't know if this is a programming issue, card related, or computer USB fault.  If anyone has any thoughts about how to resolve this issue I would be eternally greatful, and I am sure my wife would cook someone a nice dinner and a good bottle of California grape juice (Two Buck Chuck), and would most certainely resolve this constant headache I have.  Thanks for the consideration guys!

Larry Lamb

2

FAQs / Re: Mach3 Longarm Quilting Machine

« on: January 27, 2021, 12:59:53 PM »

To the gentleman asking about quilting machines.  Hi, My name is Larry.  I developed a quilting machine back in 2007, using a 4 port parallel controller card from Rockcliff Machine, (no longer selling that board).  I used two Nema 17 steppers for movement, a Husqvarna quilting machine (manual), a needle controller that sensed the movement of the carriage using two Encoders attached to the needle controller.  I designed what I called "the CNC Quilter", to be controlled by Mach3.  The operation of the quilter was extremely easy tgo use, and my wife produced more than 40 different quilts of varying sizes.  I now have the machine controlled by a BitSensor USB card sold by BuildYourCnc.com.  They are located down in Florida.  I must be honest, this card is not very good, as it is very hard to setup.  I have worked out the settings in Ports and Pins that control the card, but it took much experimentation.  As far as buttons on the screens, yes that can be done.  I designed a whole new screen for the quilter, that is just for quilting.  It has a problem that I believe is related to the USB controller.  The OFFLINE button refuses to work, and is, for me, definitely needed for proper alignment of the needle on the fabric.  If there is more info that you need, I can be reached via email at Opa3times@gmail.com.

Larry Lamb
W4LML

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought,

« on: December 23, 2020, 08:31:10 AM »

I do have a backup of the software, however, when I re-installed it, it did the same thing.  I'm stumped now.

Larry

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought,

« on: December 22, 2020, 03:46:58 PM »

The USB controller is made by BTSensor, it's the one sold by BuildYourCNC down in Florida.

Larry

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought,

« on: December 16, 2020, 04:28:48 PM »

Hi Tweakie,

The USB controller is a built in on the motherboard, an ASROCK MB with 6 USB PORTS

Larry

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought,

« on: December 08, 2020, 12:09:32 PM »

Well, I proved myself wrong.  I moved the computer away from the test bench and reconnected to the quilter.  Low and behold the problem is back again.  The jogging speed is so slow that it doesn't even register on the screen when in offline mode.  But works when online.  Now that is a kick in the head.  I would love to hear from anyone who can shed some light on the issue.

Larry

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought, --SOLVED

« on: December 06, 2020, 08:43:08 PM »

This issue is caused when using a very fast pc.  The kernal speed at 25000 is not sufficient to run at an adequate speed.  I set the kernal speed at 35000 and re-started Mach3 and all is working well now.  Jog is working correctly and I can adjust speed using Feed Rate.

I hope those folks that are having similar issues can use this fix, also.

Larry

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Feed rate runnng slower then the selected and set feed rate?

« on: December 06, 2020, 08:32:53 PM »

Try setting your kernal speed to the next higher setting.  I would be willing to bet that is the resolution you are looking for

Larry

9

General Mach Discussion / Jog keys stopped working, or so I thought,

« on: December 06, 2020, 05:58:41 PM »

This is really strange!  I've been using Mach3 to control a computer controlled quilter that I designed and built now since 2010 without any problems.  Well, I moved from Germany where I was stationed, and setup shop in Richmond, VA.  When I setup the pc, I used a custom built desktop PC dual core Intel Celeron with 8gb of memory.  I used to use a HP laptop (Z5000) running Windows 7 Home which worked very well.
Now I'm using the desktop pc, USB cotroller, etc., and everything works well except the jog keys.  Investigation of the problem indicates that the jog keys are not the problem, the problem is that the jog is moving so slow that it hardly registers on the screen and doesn't move the motors.  When I hit tab and use the MDI screen, it's seems to work better, but I have to adjust the speed of the movement to an outlandish number to get it to move using the MDI.  When I switch back to the keyboard, no joy, same problem.  My question is this is there an internal setting in Mach3 that affects the speed of the Jogging?  This is really frustrating, HELP!!!!  I have checked to see if the .xml file is corrupt and it appears to be ok.
Jog on/off appears on every page, and jog is turned on.  This is not a button problem but is an extremely slow response to the jog buttons.