Messages

3551

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to Mach 3 Parallel Port help

« on: November 09, 2015, 10:49:25 AM »

Hi Martin,

Welcome to the forum.

The original parallel port's were to the 5 volt TTL standard but the newer ports are to the 3.3 volt TTL standard. Some controllers will only operate from a 5 volt parallel port and if you are unlucky enough to have one of those then the best solution is to fit a new PCI parallel port card (which is known to output the 5 volt TTL) to your PC. A 5 volt parallel port card is probably best obtained from one of the reputable CNC suppliers as they can verify the output voltage before purchase.

The movement problem you describe may be related to having incorrect pins (Config. / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs) set for the Y and Z axis and possibly incorrect Step Low Active configuration for these axes.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

3552

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?

« on: November 09, 2015, 02:20:38 AM »

So, when I hit the "Run" button, the machine moves: X, Y, and Z movements. I see the codes running top to bottom on the screen... but, when the code completes, my 3" X 8" graphic only moved the machine about 1/2" square.

Could it be that you are working in Inches and your machine / Mach3 is set-up to work in Millimeters  ??

Tweakie.

3553

Tangent Corner / Re: It just stopped working !

« on: November 09, 2015, 01:47:03 AM »

 

I don’t know if it’s just co-incidence or if it is some other influence but similar things never seem to happen in the singular they always happen in multiples (perhaps 3 or 5).

I have just noticed that the display on my Alesis Quadraverb is now getting very dim and difficult to read. Looks like another display replacement is necessary – this time I think it is just a plug-in (without any soldering required).

Tweakie.

3554

Tangent Corner / Re: It just stopped working !

« on: November 08, 2015, 06:25:56 AM »

Thanks Brett, you are too kind my friend.

Tweakie.

3555

General Mach Discussion / Re: New Chinese 3040, the good, the bad, and a few questions

« on: November 08, 2015, 04:52:49 AM »

Excellent result Mark. 

Tweakie.

3556

General Mach Discussion / Re: yesterday Y axis home works, today....

« on: November 08, 2015, 02:25:52 AM »

TWEEAKIE, Unless YOU went into teh XML and made changes there is no way that mach3 SHOULD currupt teh XML. BUT there is a bug there that causes it. It is NOT your fault.

This happens with the LPT as well.

It is a LONG STANDING BUG.

(;-) TP

Hi Terry,

The ESS also writes to the .xml and I think that is when the corruption occurred.
(I have never had a corrupt .xml when not using the ESS).

Tweakie.

3557

General Mach Discussion / Re: yesterday Y axis home works, today....

« on: November 07, 2015, 11:24:24 AM »

If it's any help I have had a corrupt .xml / profile on two occasions in the past whilst using the ESS. Probably my fault and caused by making setting changes.

Tweakie.

3558

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up new machine

« on: November 07, 2015, 11:08:10 AM »

You have a number of choices and these are just a few...

There is a calculator here  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html

The Mach manual explains setting up steps per unit  http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

The Mach3 settings screen has an automatic steps per unit calculator - just follow the on-screen instructions and it's done. 

Tweakie.

3559

Tangent Corner / Re: It just stopped working !

« on: November 07, 2015, 06:22:48 AM »

This is what happens when I get cocky...

Q - Can you repair my Magicstomp Acoustic please.
A - Yes, easy peasy - just drop it round.

Well it was the same problem - failed display - so I removed the old display and soldered in another (I had a spare Blue one and everybody likes the blue) go to test it and guess what duff column of pixels in the replacement display. 

Easy enough to de-solder and fit another but it highlights the reject rate we must accept when buying cheap from China. These 16 character 2 line displays cost GBP 1.20 including postage from China so what can we expect.

Tweakie.

3560

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using a PWM signal to run an ESC controller for RC outrunner spindle motor

« on: November 07, 2015, 05:08:03 AM »

Not exactly sure why Logicnc stopped making those controllers - they were cheap enough - still, I always find pleasure in making my own stuff. 

Tweakie.