Messages

1671

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! How to write Macro for M11 and M10 in Mach3

« on: September 04, 2018, 01:27:43 AM »

Hi Chuck,

Using a post processor is preferable (the Gcode is created automatically) but there may be occasions when manual editing is the only way.

Tweakie.

1672

Mach3 under Vista / Re: ERROR STARTING ENGINE

« on: September 02, 2018, 04:20:04 AM »

Delete you existing Mach3 folder from your C: drive then download and install (as Admin) the Mach3 version from here; http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/
Install the Vista registry patch (the first post in this section explains).
Just to be absolutely sure use a multimeter to check the continuity of your parallel cable - pin1 to pin1, pin2 to pin2, etc. and verify that all pins are connected.
From your Router config sheet set up the Ports and Pins and Motor Tuning etc.

Start with EStop (RESET) and if necessary adjust the Port and Pin config. to get that working first.
Now you can check the motors for movement.

Hope this helps.

1673

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: "Black Scholes", Coin #1

« on: September 02, 2018, 01:47:16 AM »

Excellent work Robert, thanks for sharing.

Tweakie.

1674

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on a laser cutter...

« on: September 01, 2018, 01:55:43 AM »

If you check out the thread I mentioned above you can see how I tackled the dust problem and this may help you come up with a suitable solution. My laser stuff is all pretty rigidly mounted and I have never had any problem with vibration as a result of the router use.

Everything is a challenge 

Tweakie.

1675

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on a laser cutter...

« on: August 31, 2018, 01:29:09 AM »

Hi Marting,

Laser technology is advancing on a daily basis and it is impossible to say what is best so the deciding factor is probably what you can afford to spend. A 40 Watt C02 laser although bulky is still cheaper than a 40 Watt diode or fiber laser but prices of the high end products are continually falling. All I can suggest is that you Google lasers and gain as much info as you can on the latest products.

If it’s any help, my laser adventures with lasers (including where parts were purchased) is here;  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12444.0.html

Tweakie.

1676

General Mach Discussion / MOVED: Mach 4 locks up PC after using all available memory

« on: August 29, 2018, 10:34:10 AM »

This topic has been moved to Mach4 General Discussion.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=38232.0

1677

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z AXIS ADVANCING TO PLUS DURING EMBOSS

« on: August 29, 2018, 02:10:21 AM »

I would guess that you are putting too much force on the Z axis when the ball is in contact with the work and either something is slipping in the drive chain (perhaps loose coupling, etc.) or else the axis is loosing steps.

1) Thoroughly check your Z axis mechanicals.

2) Try reducing the Z axis Velocity and Acceleration figures in Motor Tuning by 50% and save the change – does this improve the situation ?

1678

General Mach Discussion / Re: Noob here

« on: August 28, 2018, 04:50:24 AM »

Forget the Parallel Port (unless of course you have the Parallel Port model of this controller).

The CNC machine you have linked connects to the controller using the printer cable and your controller connects to your PC using the USB cable. You need to be using a 32 bit PC with Win 7 or older and you need the disc which was supplied with the machine to install Mach3 and the USB plugin software.

If you do not have the disc then you need to search the internet, ebay, etc. to find a copy of the disc or the necessary USB software to support your controller and then download Mach3 from the Artsoft website.

Tweakie.

1679

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! How to write Macro for M11 and M10 in Mach3

« on: August 25, 2018, 01:59:34 AM »

Editing an existing Gcode is not that difficult. Using Notepad Replace function all Z+ moves can be replaced with M10Px and all Z- moves replaced with M11Px (x being the Output# used to trigger your laser).

LazyCam would also work, using the laser post processor, but LazyCam is a very basic program and does not always handle all .dxf files that well. You would just have to try it and see if it works for you.

Tweakie.

1680

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! How to write Macro for M11 and M10 in Mach3

« on: August 24, 2018, 10:47:59 AM »

I would like to use M10 and M11 For laser cutting acrylic signs.
 I use master cam X5  and I’m wondering how I do the post processing to create the G code that would include M10/11  commands along with the P/delay command
 Thanks,
Chuck

As far as I am aware no one has created a Mastercam Post Processor which supports the M11/M10 command set so you would be on your own and you would need some knowledge of how the Mastercam pp works.
If you decide to create your own Post Processor then your laser should be turned ON for all Feed-Rate moves and OFF for all Rapid Moves...
Basically, every Rapid Move (G00) should be prefixed with M10Px  and every Feed-Rate Move (G01,G02,G03) should be prefixed With M11Px ( where x is the Output# controlling your laser trigger ).

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.