Messages

2491

General Mach Discussion / Re: New user

« on: March 02, 2016, 05:00:38 AM »

Welcome.

It is that simple but like all things they are a lot easier once we know how. This series of documents may make helpful reading... http://www.vectric.com/support/introduction-to-cnc.html

It may also be helpful to read the Mach3 manual (skip the parts that you don't understand and return to them another day) http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Just take your time, learning as you go, it's a very exciting journey.

Tweakie.

2492

FAQs / Re: Wiring Limit, Home and E-Stop Switches

« on: March 02, 2016, 02:35:05 AM »

Hi is it best to wire all the limit switches in series including the home switches. By this I mean just using 2 wires so all the switches are all connected in 1 circuit with only using 1 pin.

If you are using a 'slaved axis' then you need the switches for one of these axes on a separate input in order to allow for squaring the gantry on homing.
Your home switches can be your limit switches if you wish.
Other than that yes they can all be connected in series and connected to one input pin but use shielded cable with the shield only connected to Earth at the controller end.

Tweakie.

2493

General Mach Discussion / Re: loading mach3 drivers /windows 7/ 32bit

« on: March 02, 2016, 01:33:08 AM »

Re-install Mach3 and run the install as Administrator.
Follow the on-screen instructions for also loading the parallel port driver.

If you have already done that and it makes no difference then sorry but I have run out of suggestions.

Tweakie.

2494

General Mach Discussion / Re: loading mach3 drivers /windows 7/ 32bit

« on: March 01, 2016, 12:45:28 PM »

If there is a 25 way Cannon D connector on the rear of the PC then there is a pretty good chance that you have a parallel port (it was many years ago that they discontinued using those connectors for serial communication).

Assuming you do then run DriveTest.exe (Mach3 folder) and see if that cures the problem.

Tweakie.

2495

General Mach Discussion / Re: loading mach3 drivers /windows 7/ 32bit

« on: March 01, 2016, 12:36:41 PM »

Does the PC have an LPT parallel port ?

Tweakie.

2496

General Mach Discussion / Re: Nothing seems to work!

« on: March 01, 2016, 11:58:09 AM »

The results look just fine but that version does not give all the information. You need to upgrade to a later version of Mach3 - I suggest version 3.043.062 which can be downloaded from the Mach3/ folder in the FTP downloads section here:- http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/

I believe the new version can be installed over the top of your existing version but keep a copy of your existing .xml file or a note of your settings in case they are not preserved and need to be re-entered.

Tweakie.

2497

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 with ESS and PMDX126/107 speed control issues.

« on: March 01, 2016, 11:40:43 AM »

With the latest (yet to be released) ESS plug-in…

Set the max. desired spindle RPM in the Spindle tab of the Mach4 config.
Set the Output Port & Pin# you will be using under Spindle Motor Step / Mapped Pin 1 in the Output Signals tab of the ESS config.
If necessary the generated PWM signal can be inverted in the Pins Config. tab of the ESS Config.

Checking with my scope the PWM signal output from the ESS is of excellent quality and resolution and it fully adjustable from 0% to 100% duty cycle with the Mach4 S### command etc.

Tweakie.

(The above assumes that the plug-in does not undergo major changes between now and the time it is released).

2498

General Mach Discussion / Re: Nothing seems to work!

« on: March 01, 2016, 10:55:48 AM »

Could you run DriverTest.exe (Mach3 folder) and post the results ?

Tweakie.

2499

General Mach Discussion / Re: Artsoft sold??

« on: March 01, 2016, 10:52:26 AM »

 

Tweakie.

2500

General Mach Discussion / Re: Nothing seems to work!

« on: March 01, 2016, 09:00:38 AM »

Try changing the Active State to Low and see if that makes a difference.

Something else to try is changing your pin allocations in Motor Outputs to …

X Axis – Enabled – Step Pin#2 – Dir Pin# 3
Y              “                      4                5
Z              “                      6                7

I have to do some work now so I may be away from the forum untill tomorrow - perhaps someone else can chime in on this problem.

Tweakie.