Messages

3201

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just a general question…

« on: December 30, 2014, 02:25:44 AM »

Thanks again Terry – I will try that.

Tweakie.

3202

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just a general question…

« on: December 29, 2014, 02:19:00 PM »

Thanks Terry - I am not sure just how I do that but it something I never would have thought of checking.

Tweakie.

3203

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Guitar Strings.

« on: December 29, 2014, 02:16:44 PM »

Thanks Terry - excellent information my friend. 

Tweakie.

3204

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Guitar Strings.

« on: December 29, 2014, 02:33:58 AM »

Thanks guys for the kind words and encouragement. As soon as I can I will make a short video of the test-rig in action. It is rather crude and does not incorporate the refinements of the actual winding machine but it does demonstrate the principle.

‘WOW with the VAST variety of guitar strings and I do mean VAST. I cannot image needing to wind your own.’

I am inclined to agree with you on that one Terry – I am really not sure why but, as we say here, “There is nowt so strange as folk” 

‘But getting the proper tension on the winding wire AND the core wire might pose a problem.’

I have found that getting an exact, ‘pre-defined’ tension on the core wire is extremely easy but an exact, ‘pre-defined’ tension on the wrap wire may yet require a bit of cunning electronics (on the test-rig the wrap wire tension is set by ‘trial and error’ but, as yet, I have no way of measuring it precisely).

There are still a number of technical issues to be overcome but I am getting there slowly.  

Tweakie.

3205

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just a general question…

« on: December 29, 2014, 01:23:52 AM »

Thanks Hood, I am sure you are correct.

Tweakie.

3206

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Guitar Strings.

« on: December 28, 2014, 02:56:24 AM »

Despite the high levels of technology that have been incorporated into professionally manufactured, machine wound, strings the demand still exists for the purpose-made string (like there is sound and there is sound there are strings and there are strings – there can be a world of difference to those with a trained ear).

A good friend and Luthier has been making classical Guitars and manually winding his own strings for many years now and together we are investigating CNC machine winding. My involvement is solely with the Mach3 side of things and to this end I have adapted Benny & Brian’s Coilwinder screenset for the purpose.
In order to check my macro code and attempt to resolve some of the mechanical issues I have constructed a small (1/8 length) test rig and thought these pictures may be of some interest to others.

It’s early days yet and it can only get better so stay tuned folks. 

Tweakie.

3207

FAQs / Re: Losing zero reference while cutting

« on: December 28, 2014, 01:45:37 AM »

Hi Scott,

From what you describe it sounds like the problem may all be down to the PC.
Run the DriverTest.exe (Mach3 folder) and see what results you get.

Tweakie.

3208

FAQs / Re: Losing zero reference while cutting

« on: December 27, 2014, 12:15:47 PM »

Hi Scott,

I am sorry that did not resolve the problem. A few questions for you...

Which axis is going wrong and in which direction ?
How much is it wrong (approx.) ?
Do the Mach3 DRO's show the correct position ?
Does the machine make any unusual noise when the error occurs ?
Have you thoroughly checked all mechanical parts, in particular for loose couplings / grub screws etc. ?

Posting a picture of the work, showing the problem, would be helpful (use Additional Options)

Tweakie.

3209

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to switch incremental or absolute distance mode in Mach3?

« on: December 27, 2014, 04:51:48 AM »

Within Mach3;  Config. / General Config. set "Distance Mode" Absolute / Incremental.

I think you would have to add a screen button (or two) with CB code to toggle between the two states using a defined hotkey / keys.

Tweakie.

3210

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: mach3 not loading gcode

« on: December 27, 2014, 02:04:43 AM »

Go into the Diagnostics screen and check that you have not inadvertently turned off the Toolpath Display (lower left of screen).

Tweakie.