Messages

3371

FAQs / Re: Missing pulse engine and drive test

« on: December 17, 2015, 02:24:46 AM »

Not needed with the UC100.

Tweakie.

3372

General Mach Discussion / Re: what computer for Mach3 - is "all in one" OK - is a parallel port mandatory?

« on: December 16, 2015, 02:26:51 AM »

Going back a few years the ‘on board’ graphics were not that good, they were slow, lacked memory and took away much needed processor time so ‘non-integrated’ was the way to go. Also it was common to turn off the Toolpath Display when running long Gcode programs to avoid the graphics issues.

Technology has changed a lot (as it always does) with much increased graphics speed and memory (required for us big kid’s gaming activities). This, together with multi-core processors, has made the latest ‘all-in-one’ a very serious contender for dedicated machine control (using an external motion controller of course).

Tweakie

3373

General Mach Discussion / Re: Im stuck - Just cant get anywhere..

« on: December 15, 2015, 08:29:49 AM »

Hi Scott,

Welcome to the forum.

I’m not 100% certain of this but I think that when you installed Mach 3 if you did not install the parallel port drivers then DriverTest.exe will not have been loaded into the Mach3 folder ( could explain why you can’t find it ).

Regarding the EStop, try increasing the Debounce Interval (Config. / General Config –  top right) to 2000 or so and see if this resolves the issue. If it does improve the situation then you have an electrical noise problem which needs to be dealt with (increasing Debounce is just a sticky plaster remedy – it does not cure the problem).

Tweakie.

3374

HiCON Motion Controller / Re: HiCON Board Review

« on: December 15, 2015, 02:00:41 AM »

Now that's what I call a recommendation. 

Tweakie.

3375

General Mach Discussion / Re: Selecting the right equipment for a Bridgeport BOSS retrofit

« on: December 15, 2015, 01:54:35 AM »

If (at this moment in time) you just want the basic X - Y - Z milling then I would go for Mach4.
If you want the X - Y - Z and to incorporate all the air controlled functions (at this moment in time) then I would go for Mach3.

(Mach4 is coming along slowly but, in my opinion, it is not yet ready to fully take over from Mach3)

From the official documentation...

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)



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.

3376

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Re: New ATC screen

« on: December 15, 2015, 01:34:19 AM »

Sounds like you are well on your way Jeff. Lots to learn but it's all justified by the result. 

Tweakie.

3377

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Re: New ATC screen

« on: December 14, 2015, 11:38:58 AM »

Assuming I understand your requirements - If you have created an on screen button then pasting in this script will enable Output7 to be activated / deactivated with alternate button presses. In your screen designer add the led and link it to output#7.

If IsOutputActive(OUTPUT7) Then    ‘Check to see if its on
DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT7)                 ‘Its on so turn it off
Else
ActivateSignal(OUTPUT7)               ‘Its off so turn it on
End If


Tweakie.

3378

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 with PMDX 126 & ESS

« on: December 14, 2015, 10:37:13 AM »

Does anyone know if I purchase Mach 3 and pay a little extra later on and move over to Mach 4?

Steve

Currently, there is no option for a Mach4 discount purchase price to existing Mach3 license holders (there is no upgrade at a discount price offered).

Tweakie.

3379

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motor Tuning Math

« on: December 14, 2015, 02:40:31 AM »

Hi Richard,

Sorry, I know I've asked a lot here. Thanks to anyone that helps. Tweakie and RICH have been great to me, but I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

No fear of doing that my friend - ask as many questions as you need. 

From your calculations it would appear that your stepper driver is set to 1/8th microstepping.

I don't know the exact figure (I am sure that someone here does) but Mach3 supports a precision which is many times greater than the accuracy of any of our machines so you just need to resolve this Z axis steps issue you are experiencing. I think we have mentioned it before but you have thoroughly checked all the mechanicals for loose grub screws, slipping coupler, etc., etc. ??

Tweakie.

3380

Finished Screens / Re: New Touch Screen - mill

« on: December 13, 2015, 07:32:10 AM »

Excellent work, very neat indeed. 

(not sure I need a touch screen for my CNC but perhaps one day  )

Tweakie.