Messages

4241

FAQs / Re: LImit and home switches

« on: November 27, 2014, 07:33:08 AM »

Hi Cheryl,

1) If you wish - Mach3 allows normally open or normally closed switches to be used (selecting Active Low / Active High as appropriate). Most prefer to use normally closed switches - supposedly it makes if 'fail-safe' if a wire falls off ( n.b. I use normally open switches and have never had a problem yet  ).

2) You will need to use a Break Out Board or Controller that accepts 24 Volt input signals.

Tweakie.

4242

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Laser config

« on: November 27, 2014, 01:41:48 AM »

Hi Hydro,

I understand that with this pp file the Z axis will be static, but isn't there a distance to observe between the laser and the job to be done ?

The distance between the laser and the work relates to your 'focal length'. This distance is set so that the laser's focal point (smallest dot size) is flush with the surface of the work.

Pardon my ignorance but what feedrate in mm/sec equals F600 ?

F600 = 600 mm/min = 10 mm/sec

And regarding this PP file you sent me, is there anything else I need to do in Mach3 or Vectric or just use it as pp for the job ?

Just select it (within Vectric) as and when required to produce a laser related Gcode toolpath. Nothing else needs to be done except configuring Output#1 within Mach3 so it becomes your laser trigger.

I have read the PP manual from aspire but don't really understand it tbh.

I think that once you have 'hands-on' experience it will all become a lot more understandable.


Tweakie.

4243

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Laser config

« on: November 26, 2014, 11:47:35 AM »

Hi Hydrops,

The pp is for Metric units (G21).

Height is unimportant as the pp does not create any Z axis moves only X and Y  (with M11P1 for G01,G02,G03 ... moves and M10P1 for G00 moves).

Feed setting depends on many factors so perhaps use F600 (or whatever you think will be right) as a starting point (it's easy enough to edit the final Gcode as required).

Tweakie.

4244

Share Your GCode / Re: xmas gcode

« on: November 24, 2014, 10:24:19 AM »

Excellent work Tony - thanks for posting the files.

Tweakie.

4245

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Laser config

« on: November 24, 2014, 01:58:29 AM »

Hi Hydrops,

Sorry, my mistake - try this one...   

Tweakie.

4246

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gertrude Gets Some!

« on: November 23, 2014, 03:42:55 AM »

Absolutely brilliant work Chris - well done you and your mill. 

Tweakie.

4247

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: November 22, 2014, 01:50:26 AM »

I am pleased you found the problem. 


Tweakie.

4248

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Laser config

« on: November 21, 2014, 03:18:00 AM »

Thank you both very much for the replies

I will post a photo of the burned sample soon as I'm not near the machine right now

Tweakie, I downloaded the file where should I put this file ? Is it a script to open in mach 3 ?

As you guys said I would prefer to assign other axis but Z to control the laser and I would prefer a method where I don't have to edit every gcode file I load into mach 3.

Hi Hydrops,

The file I linked is a Vectric post processor - you need to study the Vectric documentation which will tell you how post processors are used to modify the generated Gcode so you do not have to carry out any subsequent editing etc.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

4249

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: November 21, 2014, 01:50:31 AM »

Hi Vogavt,

A bit more reading for you http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16446.0.html

I think this explains the construction of the magnet.

Tweakie.

4250

General Mach Discussion / Re: tool zero setup

« on: November 19, 2014, 05:01:11 AM »

Search box - top of main (Mach Forum) page.

If it's any help and to get you started you could use the scrip posted on my webpage here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/17.htm

Tweakie.