Messages

3611

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with Mach 3

« on: August 28, 2013, 03:36:40 AM »

Hi Chris,

Not sure if this is any help to you or not…

I machine many circuit boards and often use different CAD/CAM software to create the layouts. As the problem of scale is always a possibility I now include in the layout an outside border, of known dimension, around the pcb (or two outside markers of known distance).
Once the GCode has been loaded into Mach3 the Toolpath tab shows the Program Limits (size of my border or distance between markers) I then, if necessary, adjust the X and Y Scale DRO’s (main screen) to get the size correct (just a simple calculation required here).

Tweakie.

3612

Galil / Re: Using Galils Amp enable pins

« on: August 27, 2013, 12:28:15 PM »

Does this help ? http://pcbheaven.com/wikipages/Transistor_Circuits/

Tweakie.

3613

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Help and advising on breakout board / motion controller for my machine

« on: August 27, 2013, 02:40:54 AM »

My advice would be to start out simple (and cheap) with a basic PC (with parallel port) and a basic breakout board.

Once you have your machine up and running (having learnt about the way in which your motor controllers are connected, limit / home switches configured and Mach3 is setup etc.) you will know it’s full potential together with any possible limitations.
You then have a base to work from and can improve (perhaps at a cost) the areas that need improving.

(Although I have a Smooth Stepper motion controller, for 99.9% of the time I am still using the parallel port and basic PC running WinXP).

Tweakie.

3614

General Mach Discussion / Re: Move when it can

« on: August 27, 2013, 02:05:41 AM »

Maybe just watching the intro and advanced tutorial videos on brains may help you decide if they are suitable for your particular application http://www.machsupport.com/videos/

Tweakie.

3615

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sherline 4 Axis Mill (For Laser Welding)

« on: August 21, 2013, 08:21:36 AM »

Thanks for the reply, it cleared up what I hope are the last of my lack of understanding as far as the basic set up goes.

I'm not certain we ever get a total understanding - I have been using Mach3 for many years now and to be honest, I still don't know the half of it. 

Tweakie.

3616

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Ref All Home not working with G100

« on: August 19, 2013, 12:26:17 PM »

Hi B & C,

You must delete the pirate license from your Mach3 folder so that you are running in demo mode before proceeding.
Once you have managed to get everything working satisfactorily then please purchase a genuine Mach3 license.

Tweakie.

3617

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sherline 4 Axis Mill (For Laser Welding)

« on: August 19, 2013, 09:47:22 AM »

I think you should be using M calls of M1000 and upwards (not M100).

For example:  M1000.m1s macro containing the command line ActivateSignal(OUTPUT1) will turn on Output #1 so all you need to do is configure Output #1 (Ports & Pins / Output Signals) to the output port and pin number of your choice. Then include the command M1000 into your GCode file to make it work.

More info on macros and the OEM Button codes can be found in this document http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mach3_V3.x_Macro_Prog_Ref.pdf

Tweakie.

3618

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems with mach3 setup

« on: August 17, 2013, 06:36:03 AM »

Within Mach3 - click, Config / General Config then change your IJ Mode.

It all depends on how your CAD / CAM software generates the arcs so to be sure you should always include  G90.1 or G91.1 (as appropriate) at the start of your GCode program files (perhaps modify your post processor to do it for you automatically ?).

Tweakie.

3619

FAQs / Re: Driver crash after 3-4 sek

« on: August 16, 2013, 12:42:03 PM »

My thoughts are that Windows is still running another task together with the driver test program. When the problem occurs, does (Ctrl/Alt/Delete) Task Manager / Applications show anything running ?
Also perhaps check that you do not have a printer installed, possibly with documents still in the print queue.

Tweakie.

3620

General Mach Discussion / Re: got 75% through a project and then the router went haywire! I need help ASAP!

« on: August 16, 2013, 10:50:12 AM »

OK, try this...

Open the Mach3 folder, in the menu bar at the top of the page select Tools / Folder Options / View - then uncheck 'Hide extensions for known file types'. That should make your .xml file identifiable.

Tweakie.