Messages

3261

General Mach Discussion / Re: SCARA Robot Arm

« on: April 14, 2016, 03:42:23 AM »

What an excellent little robot arm.

The subject of kinematic control comes up from time to time and there has been one solution put forward but (to my knowledge) it has not yet been independently proven to work successfully. Perhaps this is your opportunity to put it to the test and prove that it works ? – this thread refers; http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,32107.0.html

Currently, your type of robot arm can be successfully used with Mach3 for repetitive tasks by using the NFS 'CopyCat' Wizard to generate the Gcode. A 'Teach' program is perhaps not what you are looking for but Mach3 was never really designed for kinematic control in the first place.

Good fortune with your project.

Tweakie.

3262

CS-Lab / Re: Version 066 versus 062...

« on: April 14, 2016, 03:13:13 AM »

Most use v.066 without issue but there have been many problems regarding this version posted here and on other forums. If Hood says use v.062 in preference then that is good enough for me and I think that is what you should do.
Yes, you can keep & transfer your existing settings (XML file) - although it is perhaps best to backup the whole Mach3 folder before installing v.062 over the top of the existing version (this way you have a copy of all settings, macro's etc.).

Tweakie.

3263

General Mach Discussion / Re: z-axis only goes one direction

« on: April 14, 2016, 02:20:28 AM »

The one thing you can be certain of it that it is not a fault within the Mach3 software.

Check that you have the correct pin# and Port# set for your Z axis Direction signal (Config / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs).
Check that you do not have a conflict (duplication) of Pin numbers being used within the Mach3 settings.
Use a multimeter to check that the Direction signal of the Z axis at it's driver is changing between zero and 5 volts (approx.) when you use the page up / down keys.
Run the Smooth Stepper SCU and check all your settings.

Tweakie.

3264

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 13, 2016, 11:04:23 AM »

Wow !

Great stuff Art, keep up the good work my friend.

Once I have finished-up on the paid work (it must run out soon) I will be back with the laser experimentation.

Tweakie.

3265

FAQs / Re: Wiring Limit, Home and E-Stop Switches

« on: April 13, 2016, 10:59:04 AM »

Not much help really but the only thing I can think of is that your wiring is incorrect or else you have the Active High / Low set incorrectly.

Tweakie.

3266

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 13, 2016, 06:40:57 AM »

Way cool guys,
If I only had a laser and the time to work with it. Maybe when the other 40 projects are done.

Mike

Mike, how can you possibly live without a laser ?   

Tweakie.

3267

General Mach Discussion / Re: what program can I use to layout my own text

« on: April 13, 2016, 03:23:09 AM »

Take a look at Vectric software http://www.vectric.com/
It is not free but it is easy to learn / use, has suitable Mach3/Mach4 post processors (which create the Gcode) and has 'try before you buy' demo versions just like Mach.

Tweakie.

3268

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 13, 2016, 01:26:24 AM »

Excellent work Art, I look forward to seeing more of this.

The 8000 mm/min is particularly impressive, that's galvo performance. 

Are you using a variable PWM (linked to axis speed) to provide the Acceleration / Deceleration changes in laser output power ?

Tweakie.

3269

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Mach3 Beginner Help

« on: April 12, 2016, 08:32:56 AM »

You are missing one or more of the graphics within the MillBitmaps folder. You could try copying the background…jpg and various .jpg’s from the other bitmaps folders into MillBitmaps and see if that resolves the issue.
Alternately contact the suppliers of the machine who are probably the only people who work with Artivision 2.0 (whatever that is).

Tweakie.

3270

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 & Aspire tool paths not the same

« on: April 12, 2016, 02:31:31 AM »

Could it be that you are running Mach3 in Demo mode ?  (in which case it will only process the first 500 lines of Gcode).

Tweakie.