Messages

3651

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Getting up and running in Vista

« on: February 03, 2016, 07:45:58 AM »

Please help with this if you can?
I am a new beginner. I purchased mach3 which appears to have installed ok but I had to install a parallel port (com 3) the address for this that I was told to use is 0x040 can anyone tell me if this is correct please?
The software seems to run okay but I get no movement from the cnc 3040T. I am hoping this is because the port address is wrong. I am running vista any asdvice would be appreciated and could stop me jumping out the window

Who did you purchase Mach3 from please ??

Tweakie.

3652

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple question but I guess lots of opinions

« on: February 02, 2016, 04:05:06 AM »

Just a very general observation…
From forum activity it appears that new users are going with Mach4 and (at this moment in time) established users are staying with Mach3.

So I think the decision is yours and I also think it is a tough decision to make but remember that both Mach3 and Mach4 are there for you to ‘try before you buy’.
My CAD/CAM software cost me upwards of $2000 so the license fee for Mach3 + Mach4 is perhaps small change – why not do as I did and buy both. 

Tweakie.

3653

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y axis not moving or power up

« on: February 02, 2016, 02:33:57 AM »

I suspect the problem lies with your circuit board.

However, if you post you .xml file - the one which is located in the Mach3 folder named <your profile>.xml (typically Mach3Mill.xml) we can check that you have Mach3 set-up correctly. Copy and rename the file to kminnaar.xml, use the forum 'Reply' button and select Additional Options' to post the file.

Tweakie.

3654

General Mach Discussion / Re: Index RPM will not return to zero

« on: February 02, 2016, 02:23:39 AM »

In very basic terms;  Increasing the 'de-bounce' means that a signal has to be present for a longer period of time in order to be recognized.
When it comes to speed or position sensors increasing the detected time is the way forward (for an optical sensor this may be increasing the width of the slot, for a magnetic sensor it may be placing two or more magnets next to each other etc.).

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

3655

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple question but I guess lots of opinions

« on: February 02, 2016, 01:45:23 AM »

In that case is there anything that M3 can do that M4 can't? and....
will I understand the answer ;-)   

Tweakie, are you still on M3 because of the hassle and downtime upgrading.

Thanks guys...

My machine control PC has Mach3 and Mach4 installed side by side. I use Mach4 for learning/experimental and Mach3 for actually making stuff. The day will come when Mach4 takes over completely but it will not be today.

Tweakie.

3656

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple question but I guess lots of opinions

« on: February 01, 2016, 12:16:40 PM »

I think it's a very tough decision.

(I have licensed versions of Mach3, Mach4 and Art's parallel port plugin but, at this moment in time, I am still using Mach3 with the parallel port and WinXP).

Tweakie.

3657

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ditching the Vacuum Hold Down

« on: February 01, 2016, 07:15:57 AM »

If you have a perfect vacuum then the hold-down pressure is 14.696 p.s.i. If you are only holding on small areas of the work (to enable cutting- through) then, I think, you can calculate the requirements.
I use a vacuum table for small engraving jobs but I never use it for cutting through ( including pcb hole drilling ) but when it does come to cutting through, I ditch the vacuum table and double sided sticky tape becomes my best friend.

I must admit I do like the idea of onion skinning and sanding free but why not just use tabs ( created in the CAD/CAM ) and then break free ??

Tweakie.

3658

General Mach Discussion / Re: Feed Hold stopped working.

« on: February 01, 2016, 03:22:31 AM »

Hi Glen,

I did read your first post on the day but I don't think this particular issue with 'feed-hold' has ever been reported as a problem before.

Although I have never had any problems with v.066 (but I do use an earlier version most of the time) there have been many reports of various issues that have been overcome by reverting back to v.062, yours is perhaps another to add to the list. Thanks for reporting back with your solution.

Tweakie.

3659

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC mill has mind of it's own

« on: February 01, 2016, 03:13:11 AM »

I agree with Dave - it's always best to have a dedicated PC (which does not have other software (which may run in the background) and is not connected to the net) running Mach3.

Tweakie.

3660

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Add a laser to my CNC

« on: January 31, 2016, 05:30:18 AM »

I am following your progress and will be most interested to learn how you get on with changing the S#### (and thus the PWM) to switch your laser beam on / off.  In Mach3 the command is certainly far too slow but it is many times faster in Mach4 and it may work well.

Tweakie.