Messages

3871

General Mach Discussion / Re: AC dimmer via Mach3

« on: March 10, 2015, 03:27:13 AM »

Check out  SSR's (Solid State Relays) - many types are 'opto-isolated', require less than 10mA drive current and can be driven directly from the Mach3 PWM signal (spindle control) and will switch a/c mains voltages proportionally with the PWM waveform. As they switch at the 'zero crossing point' of the mains a/c there is little or no EMI noise produced by their operation and this may offer a solution.

Tweakie.

3872

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Willis Microcut bed mill Anilam to Mach3 & Viper retrofit

« on: March 09, 2015, 12:20:13 PM »

Nice work Jderou, thanks for posting the pictures and information on the electronics refit.

Tweakie.

3873

Bargain Basement / Re: Bargain Basement Rules

« on: March 08, 2015, 05:45:25 AM »

Suggestion: What about removing "Sold" items instead of letting them clutter up the postings for months/years. Some "Sold" items are over two years old...

Good call - I have deleted some of the SOLD items (going back to 2007) - will delete a few more of the very old stuff as time permits.

Tweakie.

3874

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel Port ID - Help Please

« on: March 08, 2015, 03:01:54 AM »

Hi Tweakie,

thanks for the reply.  Can I ask in my original post above.......... my Device Manager description detects my Parallel Port as (LPT3) CCF0

does this mean that ALL my port references in Darwin and Mach 4 should be set to PORT 3 ?

Thanks
John

No, that is just the PC's identification. In Mach3 & Mach4 you use (or rather set everything up as) Port 1.

Tweakie.

3875

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel Port ID - Help Please

« on: March 07, 2015, 10:35:42 AM »

Never loose enthusiasm my friend - it will all be worth the effort, in the end. 

Tweakie.

3876

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fresh install of XP, stick with pre service pack or update to SP3 & latest?

« on: March 07, 2015, 06:51:12 AM »

Going to do a clean install on a new old computer, no i'net access or network. Dedicated to Mach 3 only. Should I use the original pre service pack XP which is fast & unbloated or should I go to SP3 and install all the latest updates? It's a P4 2gHz 2GB RAM

In my opinion...

If it's a PC which is dedicated to the machine then just install XP and forget about any updates. If you are going to be running the later Mach3 plugins (such as Klaus's video screen) then you may need to install the SP3 but again forget about the updates.

Tweakie.

3877

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel Port ID - Help Please

« on: March 07, 2015, 06:46:04 AM »

Should I be entering CCF0 as my Parallel Port ID?

Correct.

Tweakie.

3878

Tangent Corner / 3D Printing a full size Elephant.

« on: March 07, 2015, 02:13:55 AM »

An excellent project (and for a very worthy cause) appeared on KickStarter recently and the details are here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1661525705/z-unlimited-add-on-for-ultimaker?ref=discovery

Tweakie.

3879

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Night Lite

« on: February 22, 2015, 11:17:26 AM »

Very nice work madeintheshed.

Tweakie.

3880

Tangent Corner / Re: Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

« on: February 21, 2015, 11:16:40 AM »

Still, looking on the bright side - just ~ 3 more weeks to go. 

Tweakie.