Messages

4181

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Appears to not handle non-printable characters in Ascii files.

« on: January 11, 2015, 06:31:28 AM »

Hi Ruben,

So far I have not used any software that does not have it's own set of shortcomings. Perhaps that is the way with everything in life.
In real terms, if you want to use Mach3 / 4 then you have to be prepared to learn it's peculiarities and work within it's capabilities. All of us here probably moan about different things at one time or another, some of Mach3's problems get fixed whilst others don't, but that is just the way it is - take it or leave it.
For my part, I find (or others here on the forum, kindly, find for me) a suitable 'work around' to anything that causes me problems so it's on-wards and up-wards and never look back. 

Tweakie.

4182

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

« on: January 10, 2015, 01:39:32 AM »

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the forum.

Perhaps start a thread (in one of the Show'n'tell sections) then you should get constructive suggestions on any build ideas you are planning. Alternately just join in on any threads that are relevant to your ideas - the choice is all yours and the most important thing is just to have fun whilst building and learning.

Tweakie.

4183

General Mach Discussion / Re: No stepper response after Mach3 software update

« on: January 09, 2015, 03:30:21 AM »

Perhaps the first thing to check, assuming you are using the parallel port for communication, is within Mach3 Config / Ports & Pins that the Port#1 is enabled and set to the correct address for your parallel port (check it's address in Windows Device Manager).

Next check that the correct port and pins are allocated in Config / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs. Also that any Enable signals (if required) are set in Output Signals.

Your previous .xml file (usually called Mach3Mill.xml) should have all the correct settings so transferring this file to your new set-up is usually all that is necessary to get things up and running again. 

Tweakie.

4184

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: MACH4 Tangential Knife

« on: January 07, 2015, 10:23:02 AM »

Not yet Dani, we need to wait a while longer.

Tweakie.

4185

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

« on: January 07, 2015, 02:38:53 AM »

Tests have now been carried out with various wires and these have 0.006”, 0.013” and 0.020” diameter phosphor bronze wraps.

Still learning as I go. 

Tweakie. 

4186

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Custom Coil Winding Machine

« on: January 07, 2015, 02:09:39 AM »

If you go back and look at Brian & Benny's Coil Winder screen then examine how it creates the necessary Gcode it will answer all your questions.

Basically, the spindle (A axis) is set as linear but both Absolute and/or Incremental moves can be used in the traverse (X axis) as appropriate. The feed-rate, whilst winding, will always be a blended rate (between A & X) but, usually, the rotary axis (A) will be the limiting factor as far as maximum winding speed is concerned.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

4187

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Custom Coil Winding Machine

« on: January 06, 2015, 05:34:50 AM »

Perhaps, as a starting point, check out Brian & Benny’s Coil Winder Screen. http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloads-updates/screensets/
I think this should provide you with a good basis for your intended project.

(I have recently used a modified version of this screen for, single layer, Guitar string winding http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,28721.0.html still a long way to go but getting there slowly).

Tweakie.

4188

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: I'm in Hog Heaven

« on: January 05, 2015, 01:51:13 AM »

Excellent work Craig that is just brilliant.

Tweakie.

4189

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

« on: January 03, 2015, 12:33:20 PM »

Hi Terry,

The test rig just has a felt pad friction type of tensioner for the wrap wire - it works but it is crude and only suitable for testing.
I am not yet sure of the benefits but measuring the wrap wire tension as close as possible to the actual wrap seems to be favored so I am currently working on an electronic device which uses a rotating version of the conventional 'dancer' to measure the actual tension in a feed-back loop to a disc brake on the wrap wire spool. This will be fully adjustable, for the different wrap wire diameters, and provide 100% repeatable results - assuming it works.

The full size machine has just gone through it's third rebuild but I think it is going to be a long way off before it will be winding a full set of strings.  

Tweakie.

4190

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

« on: January 03, 2015, 11:22:24 AM »

A short video winding nickle wrap wire onto a music wire core.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tweakie-cnc/15565495153/

At the moment tests are limited to 2,000 rpm as I have encountered technical issues when running these 200 step per revolution motors at speeds over 2,500 rpm.
I am currently awaiting delivery of some different (24 step per revolution) motors which should be good up to 15,000 rpm whilst, hopefully, still having sufficient torque for the job.

Tweakie.