Messages

3371

Tangent Corner / Re: Changing stepping driver / controller

« on: August 22, 2014, 02:11:08 AM »

Isin't that just typical of the Chinese instruction manuals   

The negative (-) should go from the PSU straight to the spindle (-).
The positive (+) should go from the PSU to the M in terminal on the controller.
The M out terminal on the controller should go to the spindle (+).

(M in and M out are just the relay contact connections).

Tweakie.

3372

General Mach Discussion / Re: Possible Mach3 G-code interpreter error

« on: August 21, 2014, 01:16:06 PM »

I don't think those settings control the G-code. Changing feedrate override doesn't fix the problem either. I've been in direct contact with Newfangled and this appears to be a bug. Will be changing to Mach4.

You know best 

Tweakie.

3373

General Mach Discussion / Re: Possible Mach3 G-code interpreter error

« on: August 21, 2014, 06:04:54 AM »

Just a suggestion and I am sure your observation and opinion is correct, but try reducing your Velocity and Acceleration settings in Motor Tuning by 50% (don't forget to save the settings after they have been changed) and see if this cures the problem. If it does then experiment with the settings to find the fastest combination that works reliably.

Tweakie.

3374

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Y position erratically

« on: August 21, 2014, 02:01:59 AM »

Hi,

Just going on the problem as you have described it, my money is on it being heat related but I am only guessing because I have no proof.
Perhaps your way forward is to get some cheap MDF (or similar) and carry out a number of test runs (with the machine being left on all day) -  if and when the problem happens again check that the Mach3 DRO’s show the correct position when the tool has an incorrect position. This will at least eliminate a Mach3 software problem.

In the meantime you could check your machine to make sure all wiring, plugs and sockets etc. are sound and secure also that the ‘motor to shaft’ couplings are absolutely tight and secure.

If the problem is heat related, as I suspect, then it could be a faulty motor. Swapping the X and Y motors is one way of testing – if the fault moves to the other axis then it points to a motor fault. Alternately, it could be a faulty stepper driver. Swapping the X and Y drivers is a good method of testing and if the fault moves to the other axis then fitting a new stepper driver will most likely be the cure. Also check your PC to make sure it is not getting too hot (internal dust perhaps) and has adequate air circulation etc.

Sorry to be so vague about all this but when something actually breaks it is easy to identify but when something works but has an intermittent fault it is not that easy to be absolutely certain about the cause.

Tweakie.

3375

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: August 20, 2014, 10:09:37 AM »

Thanks Art for all the great work and effort you have put into sorting the software problems and educating us all on how to configure our systems and set up for using Mach4. You need to be getting on with that laser (and the grayscale plugin of course).

I am also very interested in following your CAM development for GM - it can't be far away now that the buttons are operational on the GUI. 


Tweakie.

3376

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers high vibration problem

« on: August 18, 2014, 08:53:12 AM »

Should I determine wiring by using a multimeter ?

Perhaps best just to check one motor - For those connections...  Red & Blue should show continuity and Green & Black should show continuity. 

Tweakie.   

3377

Brains Development / Re: Use brains to directly modify motor step output

« on: August 18, 2014, 02:27:15 AM »

Just my opinion...

Because it's a lot more than just modifying a motor's step output - the two motors have to be simultaneously driven in the same or opposite directions etc. "brains" is not going to help you.
The only satisfactory method wit H-Bot control and Mach3 is to modify your CAD/CAM's post processor to write the commands to handle the two motors in place of each conventional X - Y axis move that would normally be written to the Gcode.

Tweakie.

3378

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Y position erratically

« on: August 16, 2014, 03:50:58 AM »

Good point DoubleTrouble - is the existing fan operating correctly and efficiently ??

Tweakie.

3379

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: August 16, 2014, 03:23:52 AM »

Hi Derrick,

Perhaps you could perform this simple test…

Remove the red wire (connected to LPT Pin 7) from your laser PSU. With the Pot set to < ¼ power level, switch on the system – does the laser fire continuously ??

Measure the voltage between the “L” terminal and the “G” terminal on your PSU (with the system powered up and the red wire still disconnected) is it 5 Volts ??

Tweakie.

3380

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Y position erratically

« on: August 16, 2014, 02:23:52 AM »

Well, it looks to me like the existing fan is more than adequate to do the job so I don't think adding another fan would serve any useful purpose. I assume that the board closest to the fan is your Z axis and the two slo-syn's are your X an Y ??

Tweakie.