Messages

2541

Share Your GCode / Re: Demo Gcode

« on: May 11, 2017, 02:22:47 AM »

These little positioning discs are not intended to be gears but because of the symmetrical nature of the teeth they do actually mesh. For anyone who wants to make one I have added the Gcode to the zip folder (disc3.tap). My material thickness is 1.5mm and the cutter diameter is 4mm.

Tweakie.

2542

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: May 11, 2017, 01:02:20 AM »

Hi Cisco,

Welcome.

The Win7 32 bit requirement is for using the Parallel Port for PC / Machine communication.
If you use an external motion controller (there are many different types / manufacturers available - I use a Warp9 ESS) then you can use a 64 bit computer running Win10, if you choose.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

2543

Members Docs / Using the Parallel Port with Mach3.

« on: May 10, 2017, 07:56:08 AM »

Using the Parallel Port with Mach3.

Most computers nowadays are no longer provided with the old Cannon D type, 25 way, parallel port connector. Although this limitation can be overcome by installing a suitable PCI parallel port card there is a catch…

The old, original 5 Volt TTL standard (used in the days of parallel port printers) has to a large extent now been replaced with a new 3.3 Volt TTL standard. Many of our existing breakout boards and drivers etc. were designed for 5 Volts TTL operation and  these older devices may not operate correctly with 3.3 Volt TTL.

When buying a new PCI parallel port card, unless you are confident that your existing equipment will work with 3.3 Volt TTL, then, to be on the safe side, always get a PCI card which provides 5 Volt TTL outputs.

How do you tell the difference ?

Please refer to the following diagram (thanks to Phame)…

Firstly, ensure that your PC motherboard does in fact have a 5 Volt PCI slot.
Next choose a PCI card which has the correct cut-out position for the 5 Volt PCI slot.

This may not be a totally fool-proof method of choosing the correct 5 Volt PCI card but it at least lets us identify the 3.3 Volt cards.

One final note – the parallel port can only be used with operating systems up to (and including) Windows 7 and it cannot be used with any 64 bit operating systems.

Tweakie.

2544

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help urgently.

« on: May 10, 2017, 01:16:45 AM »

Here is a pic showing how to tell if it is 3 or 5 volts.

Thanks for the information Phame.

Tweakie.

2545

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Spindle motor tuning not allowing my velocity and accel values to stick

« on: May 09, 2017, 07:30:33 AM »

Hi Tim,

Have you clicked on 'Save Axis Settings' before moving on to the next page ?

Tweakie.

2546

General Mach Discussion / Re: E-Stop not working

« on: May 09, 2017, 07:09:13 AM »

I hook up the micro switch for limits on X axis to P11 & GND and it does nothing when the switch is activated.

This switch must be using the Normally Open (N.O.) contacts and the Mach3 Input related to pin 11 must be configured as Active Low.

(The other switches are then configured in a similar manner).

Tweakie.

2547

General Mach Discussion / Re: E-Stop interrupt without reason

« on: May 08, 2017, 03:58:01 AM »

Generally the problem is caused by electrical noise or it could be caused by bad EStop / limit / home switches.

Try lightly tapping the switches with a screwdriver handle and see if this triggers the Estop condition.

The electrical noise immunity is set within the ESS config. so follow the Warp9 setup guide for the optimum settings. If this makes a difference then you need to investigate and tackle the source of the electrical noise.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

2548

General Mach Discussion / Re: Change from parallel to ESS SmoothStepper

« on: May 07, 2017, 06:43:21 AM »

Hi Steve,

Excellent news my friend.

On the Settings (Alt_6) page there is the Axis Calibration feature. You could use this just to check that you have set your axis Steps per Unit correctly. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

On the main page are the Axis Scale DRO's. If, for example you changed both the X axis and Y axis Scale DRO's to +2.0000 (press return after each change) then the part would be made double size. Using these DRO's a part could be made to any scale size or 'flipped' by using a negative value for one axis. The possibilities are many.

Tweakie. 

2549

General Mach Discussion / Re: Change from parallel to ESS SmoothStepper

« on: May 07, 2017, 05:18:52 AM »

Config. / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs.

Swap your X axis Step Pin# and Dir Pin# with your Y axis Step Pin# and Dir Pin#

If any axis then drives in the wrong direction (see earlier diagram) change the Dir Low Active state for that axis.

Tweakie.

2550

General Mach Discussion / Re: Change from parallel to ESS SmoothStepper

« on: May 07, 2017, 04:45:26 AM »

Hi Steve,

No problem 

The actual layout of the X and Y axes usually depends on where the operator stands in relation to the machine (A Mill, for example, may be configured differently to a Router).

You should change your axes (port and pin configuration) so that the direction that the cutter moves in relation to the work piece should always be as shown in this diagram.

Tweakie.