Messages

2181

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 10, 2017, 02:27:06 AM »

My apologies.

Tweakie.

2182

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3

« on: October 10, 2017, 02:00:29 AM »

Hi Dwa60,

That particular board is a Chinese 'knock-off' from the Planet CNC Mk1 board. Although it may work with Mach3 it was, I think, intended for use with the USBCNC software and Planet CNC claim this is not legal and condemn the use of the board.

As Craig has suggested, an ESS Smooth Stepper (or other, similar motion controller) is probably your best way forward. That way you will have a working set-up with full back-up and support.

Tweakie.

2183

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 10, 2017, 01:24:17 AM »

My question is simply how: how can I do the equivalent of pressing the ZERO button with G-code?

Thought I already covered that 

Tweakie.

2184

General Mach Discussion / Re: First startup motors not running

« on: October 09, 2017, 02:12:04 AM »

Hi John,

Just checked your .xml and cannot find anything really bad. Just a couple of suggestions...

Uncheck A Axis is Angular (General Config).
In Motor Tuning set Step Pulse to 2 minimum & save change.
Try changing Step Pulse to Active Low in Motor Outputs.
Try changing Enable1 to Active High in Output Signals.

Change just one item at a time and try it before changing another item - you know the fault-finding drill.

(Your Velocity and Accelerations are low but that’s OK at this stage, they can be increased later).

I am sure you are aware of this but if you are using an OS later than Win7 or 64 bit then it will never work with the LPT parallel port – you will need an external motion controller.

Tweakie.

2185

General Mach Discussion / Re: First startup motors not running

« on: October 08, 2017, 10:14:10 AM »

Hi John,

If you attach your <profile> .xml file (the one from your Mach3 folder) we can check your set-up. Copy the .xml file and rename it to john40131.xml before attaching.

Tweakie.

2186

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 08, 2017, 08:06:21 AM »

Say may abs machine position X=100, supposing my current work offset set is 1 (G54),
the if I press ZERO this will set X of work offset 1 to 100 and the X DRO reads now 0, correct?

So exactly how would I do this in G-code?

Hi Kusti,

Within your Gcode the line

#99800=0

would set the X axis DRO to zero.

Unfortunately I never use offsets so Roger's guide may be the place for you to look;

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,33595.0.html

Tweakie.

2187

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G10 L20 or setting DROs to zero from G-code

« on: October 08, 2017, 06:07:46 AM »

Hi Kusti,

Easiest way to set a DRO from within Gcode is…

#99aaa = bbb

Where aaa is the DRO number and bbb the value you want to set.

DRO numbers can found in the OEM code list here; http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,9312.0.html

This method is totally Mach3 specific.

Tweakie.

2188

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Trees.

« on: October 07, 2017, 07:26:29 AM »

Hi Brett,

Thanks for the kind words - I wish it was that simple 

When I see the works of those with true artistic skill I realize my limitation.

Thinking back, the Turner's Cube is perhaps a perfect example of how CNC has helped me. I definitely do not have the skill to make one of those cubes with a lathe (as intended) but by using just two Mach3 Wizard generated toolpaths I have been able to make them with a mill - no skill required (excepting perhaps some knowledge of using Mach3). It is perhaps a similar thing with artistic compilations - I use knowledge (or experience) + CNC in place of skill or talent 

Tweakie.

2189

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: October 07, 2017, 07:06:14 AM »

The making of this was mentioned in another Topic but for those following this thread…

A wall hanging picture, laser engraved into 20 mm thick Birch plywood using the ‘old-faithful’ Mach3 Impact / Laser Engraving plugin.

Tweakie.

2190

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 wont speak with Mill

« on: October 07, 2017, 03:03:41 AM »

Hi Macks,

The Mach3 manual can be found here; http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

If you check out Section 5 it should help you set your Step and Direction pins to the correct values (all three axes should not share the same Step and Direction pins).

As Greg has said, you need to be using a 'straight-through' 25 way cable between your Computer LPT port and your Breakout board / Controller.

Tweakie.