Messages

2791

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis setup cheat sheet

« on: August 05, 2016, 02:20:25 AM »

Hi Tweakie I can't find the page where you enter the A axis scale. please help.

Sorry but my first answer was absolute rubbish so this is my second try 

You could go back to an earlier version of Mach3 to a time before Scale was replaced by Radius Correct or as an alternative use a screen editor and add the A axis scale DRO to your screen.

Tweakie.

2792

FAQs / Re: X axis not functioning properly

« on: August 04, 2016, 12:21:12 PM »

So I purchased a new HiCon Integra controller. The issue I am having with that is they come preloaded with Mach 4 firmware and I am running Mach3. When I open VSI Device Manager it will connect to the controller but all of the buttons on the main page where you download the new firmware are greyed out. Not sure what is causing this. I have tried several different ethernet cables and had no luck.

I think this is really a question for Vital Systems and my advice would be to contact them directly ?

Tweakie.

2793

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors are not operating correctly

« on: August 04, 2016, 12:14:23 PM »

Also, what is the likelihood that a power supply issue would be the cause of the direction problems that I outlined in prior posts?

I would say it is almost certain that the bad power supply is the cause of the direction problems 

Tweakie.

2794

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Short output pulse from Mach4 + ESS

« on: August 03, 2016, 03:25:32 AM »

A stand-alone pulse generator (triggered by an M call or an axis movement) would be my choice.

Tweakie.

2795

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet Motion Controllers

« on: August 02, 2016, 09:02:43 AM »

I am perhaps biased because I have been using the USS and subsequently ESS for some 10 years now and have complete confidence in the Warp9 team to keep up with the latest Mach developments and update their plugin software accordingly.
The Warp9, Ethernet Smooth Stepper will allow superb operation with Mach3 and if you need to upgrade at a later stage, Mach4 (using different plugins) so this is my favorite runner.

Tweakie.

(somebody once said "you get what you pay for"  ).

2796

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors are not operating correctly

« on: August 02, 2016, 01:22:26 AM »

I used a multimeter to check directional pins on BOB.  Also, checked 5V on the BOB and it indicated 2.82

If you are using 5 volts to supply the breakout board then it should read 5 volts not 2.82.
 
Disconnect the supply to each of the driver's pul+ one at a time and see if the BoB voltage rises to +5 volts - if so then there is a fault with that particular driver.
If no fault is found then perhaps replace your 5 volt power source and see if this cures the problem.

Tweakie.

2797

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: August 01, 2016, 02:11:17 AM »

Hi Jan,

As said earlier I have never actually tried raster engraving with a continuously running impact engraving tool but you may wish to look at software such as Vectric PhotoVCarve which will create a varying Z axis movement toolpath dependant on image shade. There are also other image to Gcode softwares available, some having a ‘try before you buy’ option. Perhaps also research the operating principle of the Roland Metaza as this may be relevant.
The difficulties I can foresee are specifying the correct Z axis travel in the software and setting the machine’s Z axis height also the travel of the impact needle.

Another approach may be to optimise the image (optimum brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc.) using PhotoShop (or similar).
Dot-dither the 8 bit image using PhotoGraV (or similar) reducing it to 1 bit resolution.
Convert the image to a raster-scan Gcode toolpath which has varying Z axis height dependant on image shade such as Mach1Filter.exe (or similar).
Again setting up the machine’s needle height and travel distance may be tricky.

Tweakie.

2798

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: July 31, 2016, 01:50:03 AM »

Hi Jan,

I take it that you are referring to the continuously running impact engraver tools as shown in this video;  http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/impact5.wmv

These tools are best suited to vector engraving such as DXF files so any software that will create Gcode from a DXF should be good.
I have not actually tried using one for raster engraving but I am sure it could work albeit rather slowly. Not sure about the best software for this though.

Tweakie.

2799

FAQs / Re: Tuirning Stepper motors by hand

« on: July 30, 2016, 08:18:13 AM »

I think this is perhaps bit of a grey area.

I have a hand-wheel on my Y axis and I often (leaving everything switched on) disable the Y axis then move the table by rotating the hand-wheel until I reach the desired position then enable the Y axis to continue the work. This has never caused me any electrical problems.

On the other side of the coin I was running some stepper motor tests to find the highest speed available and stalled a motor (which had overrun because it was driving a small flywheel) at 4,500 rpm which completely destroyed the driver electrics.

If you are going to unplug the motors which would be safe then - switch off the controller electrics and wait a couple of minutes (give the caps time to discharge) before actually pulling the plugs. 

Tweakie.

2800

FAQs / Re: Tuirning Stepper motors by hand

« on: July 30, 2016, 07:51:47 AM »

Can turning stepper motors by hand when power is swictched off destroy the electrics.

Yes it can.

Some stepper motor drivers do incorporate protection against the back emf but if turning by hand it is advisable to only rotate the motors slowly.

Tweakie.