Messages

3271

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motor Tuning on Chinese 3040T

« on: February 17, 2016, 04:43:08 AM »

Perhaps have a read of the info on the Gecko site http://www.geckodrive.com/app-notes.html there is lots of stuff there that may help you get a better understanding (It mentions that microstepping greater than 8 or 10 is pointless so check your existing driver settings).

There is a Steps per Unit calculator here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html  which may help verify the figures you already have.

 Not sure of the problem with your Z axis – could it be the Gcode you are using ?

Tweakie.

3272

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: PID control proportional to velocity

« on: February 17, 2016, 03:44:07 AM »

Basically, I'm wondering what's required in order to have a PWM output that is adjusted on the fly based on how fast the tool is moving.

Something similar to this was done many years ago by Art and he used the axis step signal – the faster the axis travels the higher the step frequency and visa versa. This is fine for just one linear direction of movement but the math may become complicated for the blended moves associated with arcs etc. but something to think about perhaps.

Tweakie.

3273

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Windows 10 and Mach4

« on: February 16, 2016, 12:27:05 PM »

Mach4...

Software Requirements

Mach4 Recommended Requirements:

PREFERRED: 32 or 64-bit Laptop or Desktop – Using an External Motion Controller
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
An appropriate external motion controller
Mach4 Plugin for the selected Motion Controller
2Ghz CPU
1GB RAM
Video Card with 256MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)


*Use of Parallel Port for machine control only with desktop style computers with 32-bit versions of windows 7 and below.

32-bit Desktop – Parallel Port Recommended Requirements
32-bit version of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Mach4 Parallel Port Legacy Plugin (cost applicable)
2Ghz CPU
1GB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 256MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

For Win10 I suggest you check out the PMDX motion controller and also the Warp9, Smooth Stepper motion controller.

Tweakie.

3274

General Mach Discussion / Re: 6 Axis CNC MACH3 Engraving Machine Interface Breakout Board USB PWM Spindle

« on: February 16, 2016, 11:47:52 AM »

This board is connected to your PC's LPT parallel port with the appropriate 25 way cable. It also requires a 5 volt supply and this is intended to be achieved with a suitable USB cable. The Outputs from this board are connected to your individual stepper motor drivers and the attached document details the pins to be used. The document also identifies the Input pins to be used for Estop etc.
Please refer to the Mach3 maunal for full details http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Tweakie.

3275

General Mach Discussion / Re: jog keys overrun

« on: February 16, 2016, 07:06:54 AM »

It sounds as though your Acceleration settings are too low (Config / Motor Tuning).

Tweakie.

3276

General Mach Discussion / Re: HOW configure on Mach3

« on: February 16, 2016, 02:42:54 AM »

You have a belt geared reduction to your axis lead screw therefore you need to count the teeth on each pulley and use the formulae  Driver/Driven  to calculate the reduction ratio. Then measure the pitch of your leadscrew and use the information you now have in order to calculate the 'steps per unit' for the axis - this figure is then entered in Motor Tuning.
Please read the Mach3 manual - it is all explained there. http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Tweakie.

3277

Brains Development / Re: Aiming axis

« on: February 16, 2016, 02:12:16 AM »

Hi Jamie,

I have sent you a PM.

Tweakie.

3278

Brains Development / Re: Aiming axis

« on: February 15, 2016, 12:13:08 PM »

Sorry but your .xml did not post correctly so I am unable to test your set-up here. If you post it again it will have to have a unique name (i.e. Jamie2.xml).

Tweakie.

3279

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: I messed up with my new bench: EMF

« on: February 15, 2016, 08:53:15 AM »

Perhaps more curiously, when I FIRST start Mach, the actual pulse frequency is a rock steady 25,324. However if I close and restart, this drops to a rock steady 24,397. If I close and restart again it's rock steady at 23,674. Closing/re-starting from then on has no further effect and it remains at 23,674. If I re-boot then the whole (3) cycle will repeat exactly. Just one of those Mach3 things I suppose.

How on earth you discovered that beats me - it appears that the more I learn, the less I know about Mach3. 

Tweakie.

3280

Tangent Corner / Re: My Electronic Juke Box.

« on: February 15, 2016, 08:29:22 AM »

 

They used to be such slender and dainty little pinkeys but now that I have turned 50 they have become sausages - C'est la vie. 

Tweakie.