Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sizing my parts

« on: June 21, 2017, 04:14:43 PM »

I never settle on just the math to set steps per unit, only to get a starting point.  To many other physical machine factors that aren't accounted for that affect theoretical steps per unit calcs.
You really should calibrate your machine by commanding it to move a certain distance and then accurately measuring the actual distance moved.  Do this several times to get an average and then compute a new steps per unit based on the results.  Do this several times more until you are satisfied with the accuracy of each move.  Do each machine axis individually.  Record your steps per unit values for future backup use.

2

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 3D Printer Add-on Project

« on: June 21, 2017, 03:53:59 PM »

Thanks Tweakie.  Be sure to check back in near future for hopefully more progress.
I could use a little help coming up with Lua scripting where the goal will be to control temperatures using custom M codes.

-Beerbatter

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / 3D Printer Add-on Project

« on: June 20, 2017, 12:21:53 PM »

Hey y'all,

I have been working on creating a 3D printer add-on for my DIY table-top CNC.  I'm going to try and capture a video log as I go and share what I learn.
Here is the first video.  I'm relatively new to the YouTube video production thing, so take it easy on me  .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYykU8oi7sU

My YouTube Channel has a few more videos showing my little CNC machine.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z probe using a 3D printer bed levelling sensor?

« on: June 18, 2017, 09:58:36 PM »

Of course it will work.  Its just a fancy limit switch.  You can do probing with any device that can provide a switching function upon sensing a surface.
The 3D printing community is quickly moving to non-contact proximity sensors for print bed zeroing, bed leveling, and now XY Axis skew correction (corrects for X and Y axis not perpendicular).

Your choice of sensor (or switch) depends on the accuracy you need.  If you go with non-contact, there are many different types depending on the sensing technology and accuracy needed (i.e. Inductive, capacitive, etc.)

Below are a couple of examples.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LJ12A3-4-Z-BX-Inductive-Proximity-Sensor-Switch-NPN-DC6-36V-3D-Printer-CNC-/122184058393?hash=item1c72bcc619:g:rG8AAOSwNRdYAyiX

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Module Works Simulator

« on: June 16, 2017, 11:13:05 PM »

Right on.  Be sure to go with the Ethernet and not USB version.  Works great.  I used the C25 Breakout Board from CNC4PC.  Plugs right in like a shield and works great.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Module Works Simulator

« on: June 15, 2017, 08:46:01 PM »

smurph,

Gotcha.  Thanks so much for taking the time to check this out.
Here is the file.  Change extension to .dwi (upload won't accept it).

Remember, I did install a couple of redistributables that eliminated some errors, so those won't be shown in this output file.
But it still isn't working so no matter.

I here you on obsolescence.  We run into it in engineering as well, but software is way worse.

Thanks again,
- Noel

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Module Works Simulator

« on: June 15, 2017, 08:53:11 AM »

I did a little more research.  Haven't tried any fixes yet.  I don't want to load my PC up with a bunch of redistributables I don't need just testing.
See this link for some clues:  https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17023419/win-7-64-bit-dll-problems
and this link: http://www.nirsoft.net/articles/windows_7_kernel_architecture_changes.html

The API-MS errors may not be real as I have read that DW being old often reports these missing .dll's although they really aren't needed.  They are not on my system at this time, needed or not.

I am convinced that the developer is missing some important Windows, C++, or .net libraries when compiling MW that permit MW from running on older OS's.
Just curious, was MW developed and compiled on a Windows 10 machine?

Let me know if you guys think of any other fixes to attempt.  My next step may be to install Dcomp.dll, but I read that can be dangerous too.
I read that sometimes the missing Dcomp.dll causes other errors that would be fixed with Dcomp alone.

Thanks again to all and let me know what to try next.

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Module Works Simulator

« on: June 15, 2017, 01:53:15 AM »

smurph,

Thanks for the idea.  I did as you said.  DW reported a number of missing .dll's.
Unfortunately, I failed to somehow save the DW report before trying to fix it myself, so I can't give you a list of all the files that it said were missing except for one which I wrote down (msvcp120.dll).  After searching for that on the Internet, it said I needed the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013.  So I downloaded and installed the redistributable and that solved some of the missing .dll issues.

The other missing .ddl's suggested a .NET Framework 4.7 missing, so I downloaded it and installed.  Still no good.
Below are the remaining errors in DW before I try and go any further.

Be aware that I found something on the Internet that said DW is outdated (2006) and may not report correct results for newer OS's.

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Module Works Simulator

« on: June 14, 2017, 05:29:50 PM »

It most definitely has to be something odd about my PC, although the exact same error has occurred with another member, so although maybe rare, there is something up related to Windows.

Just to be sure something funky didn't happen to my MW license, I logged into my account at NewFangled, verified my PC ID, and had the MW license file resent.  Loaded the resent license and still no good.

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: What do Control Modes Change?

« on: June 14, 2017, 04:15:03 PM »

OK, thanks for the info.  That makes it simple.

In fact I think they are slowly starting to phase out many of the custom M codes that the 3D community created as they (we, me, :-) are discovering that nearly any 3D printer function can be mapped back to some existing general G and M code without having to create redundant code.