Messages

2321

FAQs / Re: Requirements parallel port

« on: May 11, 2016, 12:37:09 PM »

I doubt it, however, install Mach3 then run the DriverTest and see what results you get - you may be lucky.

Tweakie

2322

General Mach Discussion / Re: My CNC 2030 stops following G codes

« on: May 11, 2016, 07:30:09 AM »

Probably impossible to list all the high quality manufacturers (assuming I even knew then all  ) but a couple of manufacturers that I have experience of using are Sonceboz (Switzerland) and Pacific Scientific (USA).

Tweakie.

2323

General Mach Discussion / Re: My CNC 2030 stops following G codes

« on: May 10, 2016, 01:35:29 AM »

Stepper motors are designed / intended to run hot.

Having said that, it is my recommendation that, they should not be allowed to run hotter than say 65 deg.C at the outer casing (You should be able to hold your hand on them for a short time without too much discomfort). If they run hotter than this then check your driver's instructions and reduce the motor's current settings accordingly.

(Please bear in mind that during use the case temperature is considerably less than the internal windings temperature and high quality (branded) steppers are better at handling high temperatures (without causing early failure) than the cheap, unbranded, types).

Tweakie.

2324

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 6 Axis 7 Motor? How to?

« on: May 09, 2016, 01:33:27 AM »

Yes, just 6 axes.

It depends on the quality of accuracy you need - low end machines often daisy-chain stepper drives but steppers assume the nearest whole step position when energized so any microstep positions are lost and it does not always follow that two (daisy-chained) steppers will always rotate in the same direction when assuming the nearest whole step position so they can get out of sync (only by a few steps) quite easily.

This is not something I would want to do on any of my machines but others have done it.

Tweakie.

2325

General Mach Discussion / Re: Wizards (cicrle cut by Kiran does not work)

« on: May 08, 2016, 12:04:17 PM »

Unlikely but it is possible that there are problems with the version of Mach3 that you are using.
By popular opinion, the best version to be using is R3.043.062 and it can be downloaded from here ftp://anonymous:guest@machsupport.com/Mach3/Mach3Version3.043.062.exe

Some information taken from the Downloads page…

When available, updates for Mach3 and the Add-ons are posted on the Downloads & Update page. To update to the newest version, follow the procedure below:

1) Backup the following to the desktop, or even better, a USB drive:
•   XML(Profile) – This stores you’re settings for Mach3, if you lose it you will need to re-setup you’re ports and pins, motor tuning, etc.
•   Screensets
•   Macros/Brains
2) Download the current version of Mach3 from the Downloads & Update page.
3) Install the downloaded version; allow the install path to default to where Mach3 is installed.

WARNING: If you do not backup the files in Step 1, you will lose ALL settings and configurations.

Tweakie.

2326

General Mach Discussion / Re: Wizards (cicrle cut by Kiran does not work)

« on: May 08, 2016, 11:25:53 AM »

When you click 'Post G Code' do you get any message come up on screen, below that button ?

Tweakie.

2327

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3 requirements...

« on: May 08, 2016, 01:06:12 AM »

You will find that the video issue only becomes important when running very long Gcode programs. It generally manifests itself as a program freeze, which can usually be overcome by turning off the toolpath display or by fitting a graphics card with greater RAM capacity.

Not everybody will experience this problem but enough have done so to warrant Artsoft / NFS including the graphics card requirements in their recommendations.

Tweakie.

2328

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3 requirements...

« on: May 07, 2016, 10:59:18 AM »

Taken from the NFS downloads page...

Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:

Requirements if using the parallel port for machine control:

Desktop PC (Laptops are not supported) with at least one parallel port
32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (64-bit versions will not work)
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)


Requirements if using an external motion device for machine control:

An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
Desktop or Laptop with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Tweakie.

2329

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 won't start my router.

« on: May 07, 2016, 07:43:57 AM »

I am pleased you solved the problem and got the spindle working as it should.
Thanks for posting the heads-up on the solution.

Tweakie.

2330

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The "Mach4" 3D Laser Build

« on: May 06, 2016, 11:53:54 AM »

Nice work Craig.

Tweakie.