Messages

2901

FAQs / Re: 5th axis display

« on: August 06, 2016, 03:53:26 AM »

Perhaps you can help me with something else. I'm new at this and have run into a bit of a snag. In order to initialize the machine, I can see how you can use G28 or Reference to set Mach3 to home. However, if the home position has been lost, then it is  required that you disengage the physical drives after moving manually to home, and then use G28, etc. Is there any way you can set values in the machine coordinate DRO's? As far as I can see, you can't zero the DRO's  or enter values from the keyboard.

Someone else will have to help with this question as I have never used G28 or any homing routines, sorry.

Tweakie.

2902

FAQs / Re: 5th axis display

« on: August 05, 2016, 06:55:45 AM »

You are not going to feel stupid at all.

One way you can display the B (or C) axis on the main screen is to use a screen editor and add the B (or C) axis DRO or alternately download and use one of the 6 axis screensets from here; http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/screensets/

Tweakie.

2903

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Erratic motion after installing ESS

« on: August 05, 2016, 04:52:14 AM »

If it's any help this section on the ESS and Feed-Hold may be of interest http://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach3#FeedHold

Tweakie.

2904

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.

2905

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.

2906

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.

2907

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.

2908

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"  ).

2909

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.

2910

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.