Messages

1621

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 changed my Z settings by itself!

« on: November 24, 2017, 01:43:29 AM »

When the cutter sank deeply into the salvage board what did the Z Axis DRO read ?
Did the Z axis DRO show the correct Gcode dimension ?

Tweakie.

1622

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 4 requirements

« on: November 24, 2017, 01:37:05 AM »

Hi Matt,

The STB4100 is for Mach3 only. To use Mach4 you need a different controller, there are many to choose from - I use the ESS and you can read-up details here https://www.warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted

Tweakie.

1623

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: UC100 G02 will not work

« on: November 23, 2017, 02:38:32 AM »

Hi Al,

I am not sure the explanation you received from UC100 has any credibility or not – It certainly seems strange to me.

You need to look at your ‘Mach3 plasma.scpost’ Post Processor as a matter of urgency – it is not preparing the Mach3 Gcode correctly (at least not as Mach3 wants to see it) and it is creating errors.

Perhaps the most important change to make is to have it place the G91.1 on a separate line (certainly not on the same line as the G90).

Try placing the G91.1 on a separate line and see if your UC100 works correctly then.  

Tweakie.

1624

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: XHC Mach4 USB motion board warning and info

« on: November 22, 2017, 04:53:17 AM »

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the heads-up on the XHC USB.

There are probably for and against debates about any motion controller  - I use the ESS.

Tweakie.

1625

General Mach Discussion / Re: Digitizing in Mach3

« on: November 22, 2017, 01:33:48 AM »

So when updating Mach3 does it retain all of the settings?

If you install the new version over the top of the existing version then yes all the settings are retained. However, it always pays to keep a copy of your existing Mach3 folder just in case.

Tweakie.

1626

General Mach Discussion / Re: Digitizing in Mach3

« on: November 21, 2017, 11:22:21 AM »

My workshop PC does not connect to the net so I download Mach on this PC then copy the installation.exe file to a USB memory stick then use that to transfer the installation.exe to the workshop PC.

Sorry but Digitizing is not something I have ever done so can't be much help regarding reduction of the Z axis clearance move.

Tweakie.

1627

General Mach Discussion / Re: Digitizing in Mach3

« on: November 21, 2017, 10:51:30 AM »

I think you must be looking at a very old version of Mach3.

As far as I know the Wizard replaced the menu version many years back.

Tweakie.

1628

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Cirkles in Mach 3 Problem

« on: November 20, 2017, 05:02:18 AM »

Something else you should try is changing the toolpath to anti-clockwise as that will change the direction of loading on the lead-screws and may improve the backlash comp. performance. But overall nothing beats reducing the actual, mechanical, backlash.

Tweakie.

1629

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Cirkles in Mach 3 Problem

« on: November 20, 2017, 04:31:19 AM »

It could be flex in the material but I suspect backlash in the machine. Backlash comp. is OK but it is not the answer to all situations (toolpaths). Perhaps look toward reducing the actual backlash in the machine ?

Tweakie.

1630

FAQs / Re: motors change direction using test programme but will only jog in one direction

« on: November 20, 2017, 02:02:58 AM »

This problem can occur if the LPT parallel port (or motion controller) output is to the newer 3.3Volt TTL standard and the motor drivers are expecting a signal that is to the older 5Volt TTL standard.

Measure the voltage on an axis Direction pin and if the maximum voltage (measured whilst jogging in either direction) is 3.3Volts then that could be the issue. If you are using the computer's LPT parallel port then consider fitting a 5Volt PCI parallel port card but check these details first:  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,34848.0.html

Tweakie.