Messages

3661

General Mach Discussion / Re: New User

« on: February 10, 2014, 02:48:24 AM »

First, does Mach3 have to be registered to have it work?

No. The demo version will get you up and running.

Follow the Mach3 setup details here http://www.probotix.com/downloads/mach3_config_screenshots.gif

Tweakie.

3662

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: An operating panel for MACH3

« on: February 08, 2014, 06:09:15 AM »

Absolutely excellent work Bo - you have obviously put a lot of time and effort into into what is to become a really useful addition to your machine. My congratulations.

Tweakie.

3663

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shield grounded at one end only

« on: February 08, 2014, 03:09:39 AM »

But after all this I'm back at my original question which was why commercial ready made up cables have the shield connected at both ends. I guess it's either that or just one end so the designer tossed a coin and said - two it is

Ian,

I just checked a couple of USB cables that I have here and the PC Earth is not carried through like it is with LPT cables - with my USB cables it is the signal GND which is  carried through.

Tweakie.

3664

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shield grounded at one end only

« on: February 07, 2014, 06:36:28 AM »

Just my 2p’s worth…

Basically, in most countries, regulations for mains connected equipment provide that unless a product meets the ‘double insulated’ (or a couple of other) standards all metal parts that we may touch must be bonded to protective Earth.

With our CNC the LPT pins 18-25 are used as ‘signal GND’ and sooner or later, in our build, we connect them to Earth - this is where the potential problems with electrical noise start if we don’t follow the one ended connection rule for shields / screens.

Tweakie.

3665

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is "GND" in the manual Common and +5v on the ZP5A-INT breakout board? (please!)

« on: February 07, 2014, 03:09:50 AM »

It is not uncommon for a board to incorporate 'pull-ups' to +5V on all inputs. The limit / home / estop switches are usually 'n.c' and pull the input to GND so Mach3 is configured to have the used inputs configured as 'active high'. This way the used inputs are held at GND by the switches but when a switch is activated the input rises to +5V.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

3666

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 quick review

« on: February 06, 2014, 06:05:09 AM »

Thanks Jim.

I think there are a great many of us Mach3 users here that would echo your comments. 

Tweakie.

3667

Post Processors / Re: post processor for pro/Engineer?

« on: February 05, 2014, 07:48:41 AM »

You need to contact PTC, Inc. (formerly Parametric Technology Corporation) directly to ask if one is available.

Tweakie.

3668

General Mach Discussion / Re: Abnormal Condition - Axis are not refered to normal condition

« on: February 04, 2014, 11:23:08 AM »

Excellent explanation and solution Cletus.

Tweakie.

3669

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: 1/5th Scale V8 Blown

« on: February 03, 2014, 02:20:54 AM »

Beautiful work Steve.

I had been puzzling about the setup for machining the offset cranks but now you mention the 5 centres it all seems so obvious. 

Tweakie.

3670

General Mach Discussion / Re: Iissues with my cnc router

« on: February 02, 2014, 06:32:51 AM »

I start with the AC in and it reads 122v then I measure the output of the transformer I get xxv dc and when I switch it over to AC I get 53v so it makes me think did I buy a AC transformer instead of a DC transformer? Then I measure at the capacitor and I get 73v DC and then I try AC and I get 154v.

I am assuming you do have a full wave bridge rectifier between your transformer output and the capacitor ?

Tweakie.