Messages

3241

German / Re: Laser M10P1

« on: August 08, 2016, 01:34:59 AM »

Hi Bernd,

I can't say for certain but there does not appear to be any mistake with your wiring.

Obviously you need to set the PWM signal near maximum, the potentiometer to around 10%, turn on the spindle (M3) and apply the M11P1 command.

Tweakie.

3242

General Mach Discussion / Re: Diagnostics

« on: August 06, 2016, 12:36:36 PM »

Sorry to say this but the Port 1 Pins Current State is not a reliable indication. I think it must have a mind all it's own because it used to work well on my setup now it does not work at all.

If you are using XP then perhaps download and run Parmon http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml this will run in the background and indicate the PP pin states.
There are also other parallel port monitors available - internet search perhaps.

Tweakie.

3243

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.

3244

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.

3245

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.

3246

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.

3247

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.

3248

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.

3249

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.

3250

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"  ).