Messages

3201

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 software computer requirement to run Mach3

« on: July 18, 2016, 01:50:32 AM »

I have a friend that is a computer geek and he thinks that a business laptop with a docking station that has a docking station and has a parallel port will work.

Why not just try it and see ??

Tweakie.

3202

Mach Screens / Re: Individualization Mach 3

« on: July 18, 2016, 01:42:11 AM »

You can’t code the existing OEM DRO but you can code a User Button which will display it’s results in a new User DRO (which can track and take the place of the existing OEM DRO). The new User Button could also be triggered by an external source / function if required.
The button macro language is a subset of MS Visual Basic (cypress enable) and can perform the math calculations you require – details are here;
The Mach3 Macro Programmers Reference & Reference of available VBScript commands http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Tweakie.

3203

Mach Screens / Re: Individualization Mach 3

« on: July 17, 2016, 08:33:40 AM »

Without knowing the full details of your intended application it is difficult to suggest the best way forward but please take a look at Brains… http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4430.0.html
They are relatively slow in execution but can perform the conditional operations of ‘if this then that’ etc. and may meet your requirements better than screen set buttons.

Tweakie.

3204

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

« on: July 17, 2016, 05:24:05 AM »

A little bit of reworking on the acrylic front panel, to allow clearance for the recessed hinges (taking care to avoid the clamps  ).

Some more progress on the cabinet which, although it is intended as a ‘wall hanger’, now has an optional table stand. Most of the internal baffles have now been fitted and the whole thing has been given a coat of wood sealer.

Tweakie.

3205

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

« on: July 17, 2016, 12:59:25 AM »

Hi I'm new to this site and just starting out trying to set up a mini lathe cnc set up and looking to see if I can use Mach3 it seems like it is quite complicated and not sure that I can learn all that is required.  Right now I'm trying to figure out what operating system that I need to be running, from what I can tell I need to be running a 32 bit version of windows 7 is this true?

Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:

Requirements if using the parallel port for machine control:
Desktop PC (Laptops are not supported) with at least one parallel port
32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (64-bit versions will not work)
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Requirements if using an external motion device for machine control:
An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
Desktop or Laptop with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Tweakie.

3206

General Mach Discussion / Re: messed up file

« on: July 16, 2016, 02:10:57 AM »

My pleasure sir.

You should perhaps consider adding the G90.1 or G91.1 (as appropriate) to the start of your Gcode programs so that Mach3 doesn't get confused again in the future.

Tweakie.

3207

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Z Axis Travel Not Complete for Next Instruction.

« on: July 16, 2016, 02:07:08 AM »

Just some rambling’s…

I don’t think there is any defined method for establishing Velocity and Acceleration other than by ‘trial and error’ where they are each individually increased until the point of stall then reduced by 30 %.
If your machine is going to be used for substantially different tasks (eg. Wood routing / pcb engraving / etc.) then it makes sense to create and use different profiles with each, individually set to optimum performance (Velocity / Acceleration / etc.) for the intended task.
I am not aware of any means of setting Exact Stop mode just for the Z axis movements. You could, of course, use G61 / G64 before and after each Z axis line of Gcode but that would also slow down overall program execution speed. You could also perhaps consider modifying your post processor to add a G4 dwell (P #) following each negative Z movement, the delay being great enough to allow complete axis travel.
Another option and one that I would do, is to reduce the clearance Z height above the pcb. Assuming everything is flat then 1mm clearance would be more than adequate.

Tweakie.

3208

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Z Axis Travel Not Complete for Next Instruction.

« on: July 15, 2016, 01:35:54 AM »

Assuming your Z axis down movement is on it's own line of Gcode then changing the Motion Mode to Exact Stop (Config. / General Config.) will cure the problem but it may slow down the overall execution of the complete run.
Another possible solution would be to increase Acceleration (perhaps reducing Velocity if necessary) for all axes (not just Z axes).

Tweakie.

3209

General Mach Discussion / Re: messed up file

« on: July 15, 2016, 01:26:11 AM »

Ahh, the dreaded crop circles...

Config. / General Config.  change the IJ Mode (approx. centre of page).

Tweakie.

3210

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rapid Speed Screenset

« on: July 14, 2016, 07:37:54 AM »

It may depend on your new screenset but…

Pressing the TAB key brings up the MPG window the Slow Jog Rate determines the Arrow key % jog rate and this is then overridden to 100% jog rate by the Shift + Arrow keys. If your screenset does not work this way then check out the screenset for the problem.

Tweakie.