Messages

2851

General Mach Discussion / Re: I had stroke!

« on: November 20, 2015, 11:33:26 AM »

I am glad to hear you are still here with us Dickeybird - keep up the recovery my friend.

Tweakie.

2852

General Mach Discussion / Re: best intro software for very basic lettering to be cut on a 20x14cm machine.

« on: November 20, 2015, 07:48:42 AM »

Hi Mark,

I have been using Mach3 for more than 10 years now and every time I read the manual or read things on the forum I learn something new. I don’t think you could be expected to learn it all at once so just take your time and progress one step at a time. 

As you have found, good quality CAD/CAM software is possibly the greatest expenditure in the CNC business and although Artcam is probably the best for your jewellery work take a look at Vectric and see if any of their softwares could be of use to you.  http://www.vectric.com/

Tweakie.

2853

General Mach Discussion / Re: z spindle stops spinning

« on: November 20, 2015, 07:28:15 AM »

The CAD/CAM post processor which was used to create the cross demo does duplicate some F and M commands (reason unknown) but the spindle is turned on with the M3 command towards the start of the Gcode and only turned off with the M5 command towards the end. I have just tested the Gcode and it runs fine here.
If your spindle turns off before the M5 command is reached then you may have an electrical problem. Perhaps check your wiring, speed controller (if fitted), relay, etc.

Tweakie.

2854

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling Is Off Center

« on: November 20, 2015, 04:47:46 AM »

Just a couple of suggestions...

Thoroughly check the mechanicals of your machine (loose grub screws, binding or tight spots on linears or screws etc.).

Reduce your Velocity and Acceleration settings for the X and Y axes by 50% in motor tuning and save the changes and see if this cures the problem.

Tweakie.

2855

General Mach Discussion / Re: fusion 360 wrapping function

« on: November 20, 2015, 04:23:54 AM »

Excellent work getting this Daniel - thanks for posting.

Tweakie.


(There are other wrapper utilities available for Mach3 and this one written by Terry gets used by me on a very regular basis http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,23216.0.html )

2856

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up a new xp system for Mach3

« on: November 20, 2015, 01:27:35 AM »

Hi Sebashtion,

Welcome to the forum.

For a dedicated PC control system my suggestion would be just to make a clean install of WinXP Sp2 - no updates or anything else (except Mach3 components) on the PC.

Tweakie.

2857

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

« on: November 18, 2015, 10:34:21 AM »

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the forum.

Mach3 outputs Step and Direction signals for each axis. The Z axis Direction signal will change between TTL level High or Low dependent on the last command it was given (up or down). It always retains the TTL voltage level from the last command given. You would need to detect the step signals to determine movement but you should always be able to get the direction correct.

Tweakie.

2858

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switches lost

« on: November 18, 2015, 04:24:23 AM »

Hi Steve,

If you have not tried this already...

In your Mach3 folder you will have xmlbackups. Choose an earlier version (well before the problems started), rename it to have the .xml file extension and copy it into the Mach3 folder (it will overwrite the existing version so perhaps make a copy so you can always go back, if necessary).

Try that and report back - I will keep my fingers crossed  .

Tweakie.

2859

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mapping the path for M11 / M10 commands

« on: November 17, 2015, 09:42:55 AM »

With the M10/M111 commands the 'P' relates to the Output # (not the pin number).
So M11P1 would switch on Output#1 (which in turn could be mapped to output pin 17) at the instant of an axis movement.

When using the Smooth Stepper configure the M10 /M11 commands in the SS plugin software.

Tweakie.

2860

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: optimum kontroller IV

« on: November 17, 2015, 07:45:20 AM »

Hi Darius,

Welcome to the forum.

Many of the Optimum CNC machines are supplied with Mach3 software (probably an OEM version) and if, for some reason, the owner of the machine and the original software disks have become separated the manufacturer appears unwilling to provide any help at all.
This is a strange situation (although one UK manufacturer of 'educational' CNC machines behaves in the same manner) and the only real way forward is to keep pestering the manufacturer's for information, software etc. relating to their product.

If, despite determined effort, that all fails then perhaps bin the internals of their controller and fit Gecko drives instead http://www.geckodrive.com/

Tweakie.