Messages

3911

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up a new xp system for Mach3

« on: November 21, 2015, 01:45:54 AM »

Just while I am thinking about it, something else you may want to consider at this time is checking that you have, or else fit a new, good quality graphics card with plenty of RAM (those with 1GB are quite cheap nowadays). This becomes relevant if you ever run long Gcode programs within Mach3 or if you consider you may wish to use Mach4 at some future date. There has been some recent discussion in the Mach4 section suggesting that AMD graphics cards perform better than Nvidia graphics cards at this moment in time - something to consider ?

Tweakie.

3912

General Mach Discussion / Re: z spindle stops spinning

« on: November 21, 2015, 01:31:49 AM »

I think your little Wegstr is a great machine - it's certainly looks a lot better than some of the cheap Chinese machines I have seen lately.

Just as a trial...

Look at the bones Gcode ( in Notepad) and note where the first M3 command appears. Using Edit / Replace delete all the M3 commands except the first one (or delete them all then replace the first one). Save the changes.

Run that code on your machine (just cutting air) and see if the spindle still stops.

Tweakie.

3913

General Mach Discussion / Re: I had stroke!

« on: November 20, 2015, 11:33:26 AM »

I am glad to hear you are still here with us Dickeybird - keep up the recovery my friend.

Tweakie.

3914

General Mach Discussion / Re: best intro software for very basic lettering to be cut on a 20x14cm machine.

« on: November 20, 2015, 07:48:42 AM »

Hi Mark,

I have been using Mach3 for more than 10 years now and every time I read the manual or read things on the forum I learn something new. I don’t think you could be expected to learn it all at once so just take your time and progress one step at a time. 

As you have found, good quality CAD/CAM software is possibly the greatest expenditure in the CNC business and although Artcam is probably the best for your jewellery work take a look at Vectric and see if any of their softwares could be of use to you.  http://www.vectric.com/

Tweakie.

3915

General Mach Discussion / Re: z spindle stops spinning

« on: November 20, 2015, 07:28:15 AM »

The CAD/CAM post processor which was used to create the cross demo does duplicate some F and M commands (reason unknown) but the spindle is turned on with the M3 command towards the start of the Gcode and only turned off with the M5 command towards the end. I have just tested the Gcode and it runs fine here.
If your spindle turns off before the M5 command is reached then you may have an electrical problem. Perhaps check your wiring, speed controller (if fitted), relay, etc.

Tweakie.

3916

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling Is Off Center

« on: November 20, 2015, 04:47:46 AM »

Just a couple of suggestions...

Thoroughly check the mechanicals of your machine (loose grub screws, binding or tight spots on linears or screws etc.).

Reduce your Velocity and Acceleration settings for the X and Y axes by 50% in motor tuning and save the changes and see if this cures the problem.

Tweakie.

3917

General Mach Discussion / Re: fusion 360 wrapping function

« on: November 20, 2015, 04:23:54 AM »

Excellent work getting this Daniel - thanks for posting.

Tweakie.


(There are other wrapper utilities available for Mach3 and this one written by Terry gets used by me on a very regular basis http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,23216.0.html )

3918

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up a new xp system for Mach3

« on: November 20, 2015, 01:27:35 AM »

Hi Sebashtion,

Welcome to the forum.

For a dedicated PC control system my suggestion would be just to make a clean install of WinXP Sp2 - no updates or anything else (except Mach3 components) on the PC.

Tweakie.

3919

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: November 18, 2015, 10:34:21 AM »

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the forum.

Mach3 outputs Step and Direction signals for each axis. The Z axis Direction signal will change between TTL level High or Low dependent on the last command it was given (up or down). It always retains the TTL voltage level from the last command given. You would need to detect the step signals to determine movement but you should always be able to get the direction correct.

Tweakie.

3920

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switches lost

« on: November 18, 2015, 04:24:23 AM »

Hi Steve,

If you have not tried this already...

In your Mach3 folder you will have xmlbackups. Choose an earlier version (well before the problems started), rename it to have the .xml file extension and copy it into the Mach3 folder (it will overwrite the existing version so perhaps make a copy so you can always go back, if necessary).

Try that and report back - I will keep my fingers crossed  .

Tweakie.