Messages

3081

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.

3082

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.

3083

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.

3084

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.

3085

FAQs / Re: Stepper 4 wire bipolar configuration

« on: July 30, 2016, 04:17:12 AM »

The bit I don't get is if they are the wrong way round why does it not fight itself to turn at all.

I suppose it's a bit like walking when you put one foot in front of the other - reverse the order and you go backwards. You just have to go in one direction or the other.

When clocwise or anticlock is discused in the set up, what is the correct way.when veiwed from the rear of the steppers

Clockwise and anticlockwise are relative terms and it will depend on how your machine is constructed. The important factor is that the cutting tool moves in the correct direction with relation to the work piece.
The Mach3 manual gives directional details http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Tweakie.

3086

FAQs / Re: Stepper 4 wire bipolar configuration

« on: July 30, 2016, 02:31:56 AM »

Use a multimeter to check continuity of the A, A- and also the B, B- pairs just to make sure you have identified them correctly. It is important that the pairs are correct but it does not matter how you connect the polarity to the controller. If a motor subsequently runs in the wrong direction this can be corrected by changing the Direction Low Active signal in the Mach3 Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs settings.

Tweakie.

3087

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cant find DXF import button

« on: July 30, 2016, 02:22:32 AM »

The DXF import was removed from the File tab when LazyCam was added (many years ago).

Open LazyCam then import your DXF there.
There is a manual for using LazyCam in the Members Documents section but you must bear in mind that LazyCam is an old and unsupported product which has been surpassed by many of the new CAD/CAM products now available.

Tweakie.

3088

General Mach Discussion / Re: Boxford VMC190 GA Scans and DWG CCT Diagram

« on: July 29, 2016, 12:11:21 PM »

Nice thought Simon unfortunately...

"This file is no longer available.
The file you are trying to access is no longer available for download.
Please contact the owner if you have any questions".

Tweakie.

3089

CS-Lab / Re: Jerky movements in complex toolpaths.

« on: July 28, 2016, 02:50:51 AM »

Well yes it should but I recently changed the aspect ratio of a previously produced milled panel contour and regenerated the toolpath (in CAD/CAM) – this converted all my nice smooth arcs into many straight lines – the result was terribly rough motion from my mill.
Mach3 is good but it’s not perfect and I ended up redrawing the panel to the new dimensions, recreating the toolpath then everything was bliss.

Tweakie.

3090

CS-Lab / Re: Jerky movements in complex toolpaths.

« on: July 28, 2016, 01:58:15 AM »

Just a wild thought and grasping at straws here but have you looked at your CAD/CAM generated toolpath - if it contains many short lines this could cause jerky motion (particularly with arcs and contours).

Tweakie.

(nothing to do with the problem but the diode, below the 3PR relay, appears to be connected incorrect polarity).