Messages

4201

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: mach3 not loading gcode

« on: December 27, 2014, 02:04:43 AM »

Go into the Diagnostics screen and check that you have not inadvertently turned off the Toolpath Display (lower left of screen).

Tweakie.

4202

FAQs / Re: Losing zero reference while cutting

« on: December 27, 2014, 02:00:55 AM »

You are still not giving me much information to go on. 

Try reducing your Velocity and Acceleration settings (in Motor Tuning) by 50% then save the changes for each axis. See if this solves the problem.

Tweakie.

4203

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to switch incremental or absolute distance mode in Mach3?

« on: December 27, 2014, 01:50:46 AM »

The Gcodes;  G90 switches to Absolute and G91 to Incremental moves.

Tweakie.

4204

FAQs / Re: Losing zero reference while cutting

« on: December 26, 2014, 05:04:26 AM »

You say "cutting in the wrong place" - could you be more specific, where abouts is it cutting in the wrong place ??
A picture of the problem would be good.

Tweakie.

4205

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

« on: December 24, 2014, 09:41:52 AM »

Excellent work Graham - thanks for posting the video link, it's nice to see it in action.

Tweakie.

4206

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Should I start out with Mach4?

« on: December 23, 2014, 04:00:11 AM »

For what it's worth, my advice would be to start out with Mach3 (no need to purchase the license at this stage) then get your machine up and running (using Gcode programs less than the 500 line limit for the demo).

Once you have sorted all the problems (if you encounter any) and have a good working knowledge of operating your new CNC machine then install Mach4 (you can have and use both Mach3 and Mach4 on the same PC) and use the experience gained to set-up and start using Mach4. Please bear in mind that some of the functions have not yet been fully finished within Mach4 at this moment in time so, although it is a fully functioning software it is not yet complete.

There are many threads here (go to the main page then use the search box at the top) relating to suitable Parallel Port cards - this one may help http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,11300.0.html

Tweakie.

4207

General Mach Discussion / Just a general question…

« on: December 21, 2014, 07:35:57 AM »

Whilst using Mach3 with the Parallel Port - when running a stepper motor at a constant speed of 2000 rpm the pitch of the sound it produces, very occasionally, has a momentary slight change. Increasing the speed to 2500 rpm - this slight change of pitch ‘phenomenon’ generally causes the motor to stall.
Fitting a ‘dampener’ (in the old days, used to overcome ‘mid band resonance’) overcomes the stall and for the most part cures the problem (maybe fitting a suitable ‘flywheel’ may also work just as well).

I suspect that the aforementioned ‘momentary change of pitch’ is a glitch in the step pulse chain which may be Mach3 related or Windows related, I don’t know which, but I am wondering if anyone else has trod this route and has found any answers.

My next task will be to try an external motion controller and see if the ‘phenomenon’ persists but at the present it is all bit of a mystery.

Tweakie.

4208

General Mach Discussion / Re: all toolpaths being magnified

« on: December 21, 2014, 06:24:57 AM »

It sounds to me as though you do not have your 'steps per unit' set correctly. The Mach3 manual http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/ section 5.5.1 explains the basics and section 5.5.2.3 explains the automatic procedure you can use to calibrate each axis.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

4209

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Dictionary

« on: December 18, 2014, 01:50:11 AM »

You guys are killing me.  I opened every one of those files hoping to find a real dictionary.  Not. 

Since the days of this thread, Google docs if fee to all... or am I about to discover something in the next thread I search for this Holy Grail?

Your not alone OB I've been using Mach3 for over 10 years now and I still don't know the half of it.   

Tweakie.

4210

General Mach Discussion / Re: Hall of shame

« on: December 18, 2014, 01:45:04 AM »

Ok now I am going to look really stupid. I have the computer up and running n(the one with Mach three and the CNC. The one I am using to converse with you nest to it. Where do I find the xml files

Hi Cliff,

Your current .xml file is named Mach3Mill.xml (or whatever profile you are currently using .xml) and it is located in the Mach3 folder. Previous (backup) .xml files are located in the Mach3 / xmlbackups folder.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.