Messages

4281

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.

4282

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.

4283

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.

4284

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.

4285

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.

4286

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.

4287

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Ethernet Smooth Stepper.

« on: December 16, 2014, 01:44:15 AM »

 

Tweakie.

4288

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: December 12, 2014, 01:46:00 AM »

Thanks Art for posting Darwin v.2157.

Mach4 v.2157 has now been posted on the web site.

( The site managed to keep in step for a while (Mach4 / Darwin versions) but that seems to have lapsed.    )

Tweakie.

4289

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach 3 R3.043.066 and Windows 7 problems.

« on: December 10, 2014, 04:28:03 AM »

Oh, and its running XP SP2.
Windows 7 simply wouldn't work.  I'm a patient man. i gave it a YEAR. 

Running in Admin? - JOKE.
Setting to SP2 Compatibility mode?  - HAR HAR
Trying every other fix suggested here?  -  A mockery of my every hope.

I finally gave up and went back to XP, which is still out there, hiding in the bushes.  Its awesome.
The good news is I bough that computer for 100 bucks.    I recommend doing the same, since that all that worked for me.

I DO appreciate the suggestions and trys at helping.   Good ole' Art needs to do something to make this less of an issue.

I agree with you on this - I fiddled for long enough to make me return to XP SP2. 

Tweakie.

4290

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

« on: December 10, 2014, 03:35:15 AM »

Hi Sitzme,

The plugin’s ‘fire pulse’ width is limited (it is essentially the axis step pulse) and as feed-rate is reduced the spacing between pulses increases thus producing the ‘lack of power’ problem you are experiencing.

My solution was to use an external microprocessor (PIC chip) to digitally detect the ‘fire pulse’ then extend it’s width. The prototype is a bit crude (based on a partially populated circuit board designed for my RF laser controller) and whilst I have every intention to refine this design and post it as a project, like most things, work interferes with play-time and it has been pushed to the back of the queue. The design could, I am sure, be simplified (by not having the display) as the microprocessor automatically stores the last setting (for future use) and it is easy enough to set-up by experimentation with a test sample. It requires no changes to the machine as it connects in series with the 25 way LPT cable and is just used when required.

Some while back another member posted an analogue design for pulse stretching and this works well but had limitations on the range of available pulse widths so I opted for a digital solution which can easily extend the fire pulse width right up to the start of the next pulse no matter how slow the feed-rate. His design is here http://www.prutchi.com/2012/02/04/co2-laser-engravercutter-addition-to-a-cnc-retrofitted-sieg-x2-mini-mill/


I am working on another project at present and this will probably keep me busy until the springtime but if you can wait until then I will post full constructional details of a re-designed pulse extender before the summer.

Tweakie.