Messages

3521

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving Spindle.

« on: June 13, 2014, 06:14:22 AM »

Hi Ozymax,

Thank you for your excellent suggestion - I will investigate the possibility of using a 'gov/esc' (I did not even know they existed for BLDC motors) but it sounds like a brilliant idea to me and would be a very easy solution to maintaining constant RPM.

Tweakie.

3522

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Marines Emblem 1st Carve

« on: June 13, 2014, 05:13:21 AM »

Nice work Artcarver - thanks for posting the GCode file for others to try.

Tweakie.

3523

General Mach Discussion / Engraving Spindle.

« on: June 13, 2014, 05:01:01 AM »

Just as a heads up…

Tests have shown that small brushless dc motors (BLDC), more usually used with RC models, (mainly because of their high power to weight / size ratio) can make ideal engraving spindles.
The construction of just one such spindle is detailed here; http://openbuilds.com/builds/890kv-ox-rc-spindle.411/
To facilitate BLDC motor speed control and operation from Mach3 I have now made a simple interface circuit which takes the Mach3 generated PWM signal and converts it to the necessary pulse stream for operation the motor’s ESC and this is detailed here; http://openbuilds.com/builds/software-speed-control-of-a-brushless-dc-bldc-motor-from-mach3.762/

Tweakie.

3524

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: June 08, 2014, 08:11:59 AM »

Hi Art,

That old plugin is going to take some bettering you know 

Incidentally, because the Digital Trigger only has a maximum duty cycle of 50% I am now experimenting with using an external processor to measure the PRF (dependant on Feed-Rate) and adjust the pulse width to increase the duty cycle to 95% (adjustable). This has enabled the plugin's use with diode lasers down to 150mW output power allbeit extremely slow feed-rate and my 40Watt tube to really attack Corian at 4500 mm/min. 

I look forward to following your progress in the new thread once you get everything up and running. 

Tweakie.

3525

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: June 08, 2014, 01:02:24 AM »

Wow! - Thanks Art, now I know what I will be doing this afternoon 

Tweakie.

3526

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

« on: June 06, 2014, 01:34:41 AM »

Hi Jeff,

If you want to use the Z axis then it's the Z Axis direction pin# (Config. / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs). GND is connected to the breakout board GND.

(please be aware that all the axis direction pins retain state (hi / low) until that particular axis is moved in the opposite direction).

Tweakie.

3527

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis problem

« on: June 04, 2014, 01:47:37 AM »

Hi Bob,

I am pleased to hear that you have resolved the problem 

Tweakie.

3528

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turning center/milling online

« on: June 02, 2014, 12:22:31 PM »

I am sure you could use Mach3 - Hood is the man who can explain just how much work would be involved.

Tweakie.

3529

General Mach Discussion / Re: Step jog wierdness.

« on: June 02, 2014, 12:04:25 PM »

Hi Dickeybird

Can't say that I have ever encountered the problem you are experiencing so can offer no advice.

If it's any help, I use v.056 with my Mill / CNC and this seems to perform the best for me.

Tweakie.

3530

General Mach Discussion / Re: T-D 3 axis contoller

« on: June 02, 2014, 05:49:15 AM »

Hi Martin,

Yes the pictures help.

I am not a fan of the YOOCNC stuff and this board (PW3024) has caused others problems in the past - not that it is much help but my view is that this board is junk.

You really need to be into electronics (or know someone who is) in order to fault find and solve the problem as there are a number of components that need to be checked. In particular the IFR630, resistors R3 & R4, EL817 and its series 100 ohm resistor (plus other associated components of course).

If it's any help to you, this is the board's component layout and circuit diagram.

Tweakie.