Messages

2231

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 24, 2017, 01:38:57 AM »

Hi Malcolm,

For an axis to drive in either direction it requires the Direction signal to change state between High and Low.
As was mentioned in an earlier posting some CNC controllers require an LPT output with 5 volt TTL signals and they will not work reliably with 3.3 volt TTL signals.

Because they are cheap to buy, perhaps consider the purchase of a PCI Parallel Port card which has 5 volt TTL outputs (these may be purchased from a CNC supplier such as CNC4PC, etc.) and use that LPT port to drive your CNC controller).

If you attach your <profile>.xml file from your Mach3 folder (copy and rename it to Malcolm.xml befor attaching) I will check your Ports and Pins setup etc. and see if I can find any obvious problems.

Tweakie.

2232

FAQs / Re: Spindle not working

« on: February 23, 2017, 05:34:41 AM »

Your CNC controller has (internally) a USB motion controller which may have setup details, your VFD will also have setup details and we need the information on these to be able to make an educated guess on the Mach3 settings.

There is a post on CNCzone which is of interest - check out post #25 here : http://www.cnczone.com/forums/chinese-machines/320698-cnc.html

Does this setup work ?

Tweakie.

2233

FAQs / Re: Spindle not working

« on: February 23, 2017, 04:28:37 AM »

I made a few changes to your .xml – Unfortunately, I was assuming you were using the parallel port which I have now realised is not the case (the file is attached).

We need to have the details of both your external motion controller setup and your VFD setup to get the spindle control working correctly.
If you attach (or e-mail me a copy) of your pluging installation I will see what I can do.

Tweakie.

2234

FAQs / Re: Spindle not working

« on: February 22, 2017, 04:28:11 AM »

Excellent purchase, you will not be disappointed. 

The settings you need to copy are under the Config. tab (native units, ports & pins, motor tuning, etc.).
I think the easiest way is to copy and save your existing Mach3 folder (perhaps rename it to Mach3old), make the new install, then copy over your settings one page at a time (Mach3 saves your settings to <your profile>.xml when it is closed). This will ensure you have a clean and uncorrupted .xml file.

Tweakie.

2235

FAQs / Re: Spindle not working

« on: February 22, 2017, 03:35:34 AM »

Hi Bucks,

do I really have to do a clean install of the OS

I don’t think you need to do that but it was the official recommendation.

If the plugin for the USB driver automatically installs the Pirate license then you need to delete the file ‘Mach1Lic.dat’ from your Mach3 folder and use Mach3 in Demo Mode.
It would be best to copy all your existing settings and use them with the clean Mach3 install rather than using the China supplied .xml file which may be corrupt.

If you have decided that you wish to use Mach3 then a genuine license can be obtained from here : http://www.machsupport.com/shop/mach3/

Tweakie.

2236

General Mach Discussion / Re: 1st setup, Mach3 not moving in right scale

« on: February 22, 2017, 02:13:42 AM »

The Roadrunner file was created in Inch units but just to fool us all the creator did not include a G20 at the start of the code.

If you use notepad to edit the file and add G20 it will run correct size on a machine which is set-up in millimeter units.

Tweakie.

2237

FAQs / Re: Spindle not working

« on: February 22, 2017, 02:02:22 AM »

Hi Bucks,

Unfortunately, through no fault of your own, you have been duped by the supplier of your new CNC machine and you have installed a Pirate Mach3 License (Licensed to...MaoA˜A  ¯Ðtonar).

The recommendation is that you document all of your configuration settings........... every one of them. Do a clean install of the OS, download Mach from our site. Install it and configure it for your machine following the install and config. Guide.

Tweakie.

2238

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 22, 2017, 01:46:43 AM »

Have you turned the Jog ON/OFF button to OFF ?

Tweakie.

2239

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 Axis Calibration Mystery

« on: February 22, 2017, 01:42:12 AM »

Hi Anders,


Following the example calculation you have “1.0 divided by 0.100 = 10” it should be “1.0 divided by 10 = 0.100”

For motor tuning…
Start at 3000 and increase Velocity in steps until you find the place at which the motor stalls. Reduce the Velocity by 30%. Set Acceleration to 10% of the Velocity figure. You may be able to further ‘tune’ the set-up to increase speed but don’t risk destroying accuracy and reliability.

Check your machine axes mechanically as it could be a loose grub screw, coupler, etc. or mechanical binding that is causing that lost motion.

Tweakie.

2240

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 Axis Calibration Mystery

« on: February 21, 2017, 09:55:24 AM »

Obviously you have some of your machine information wrong (maybe microstepping ?, maybe pitch ?).

The last line in your calc. (Screw lead is 10 mm (pitch x starts). My screw will have to turn 0.1 rounds to move the nut 1mm. 1.0 divided by 0.100=10. So 3,200 X 10=32,000) should be 3200 / 10 = 320.

However, the important thing is that you have it sorted. 

Tweakie.