Messages

4301

General Mach Discussion / Re: "run from here" problem

« on: April 26, 2014, 12:25:46 PM »

I've already solved this - I did it years ago - I was seeing if YOU wanted to have a go - that's all.

Ian, you are such a tease 

Tweakie.

4302

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Upgrage Parrallel CNC machine to Arduino

« on: April 26, 2014, 09:45:58 AM »

Hi Sayed,

My best advice, assuming you want to use Mach3, is to fit a higher quality controller to your machine (such as the Gecko G540 or similar). 
GRBL is OK but extremely limited compared to Mach3 but at the end of the day, the choice is all yours.

Tweakie.

4303

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine wont zero after Homing

« on: April 26, 2014, 02:11:40 AM »

My post has been deleted as it fell on deaf ears  

Tweakie.

4304

General Mach Discussion / Re: "run from here" problem

« on: April 24, 2014, 07:26:22 AM »

(;-) I worked on that one for well over a year. Without success, well it could be done with a LOT of block deletes statements but that was a PAIN in itself.

But I will review it ONE more time

(;-) TP

No block deletes needed.

The suspense is killing me 

Tweakie.

4305

FAQs / Re: Setting Mach 3 Port to PCI parallel port address

« on: April 23, 2014, 06:32:48 AM »

Are you using a total of 3 parallel ports with Mach3?  I thought Mach3 was limited to 2 such ports.

No, not all at the same - they are used for different configurations / machines.

Tweakie.

4306

FAQs / Re: Setting Mach 3 Port to PCI parallel port address

« on: April 22, 2014, 09:26:36 AM »

@brw0513

This changing address problem has, I think, come up before - I have never had it happen to me and I use XP with 2 parallel port cards + the on-board port so it probably relates to the particular PCI PP card you are using rather than the computer settings. You could perhaps verify that Legacy Auto Detect is not checked for the port in Device Manager but that is all I can think of.

Tweakie.

4307

General Mach Discussion / Re: Surely some Mach3 genus can answer this question?

« on: April 22, 2014, 04:47:47 AM »

I "personally" will not respond to problems with the cheap Chinese TB*********x controllers as i have  spent hours
helping a few young folks get theirs working. That was done out of feeling sorry they spent their small amount
of funds on junk! No more / never again. In fact I generally ignore any posts about those junk controllers.

I think I am now joining with you on that one Rich 

Tweakie.

4308

General Mach Discussion / Re: Surely some Mach3 genus can answer this question?

« on: April 21, 2014, 08:18:57 AM »

For the benefit of others that follow...

You can waste a lot of time and effort trying to sort out the problems associated with the cheap Chinese controller boards - if your hobby is electronics and troubleshooting  then that's fine but if you just want an accurate and reliable CNC machine it is wise to use a tried and tested, reliable, product. It will not be as cheap but it will not be as much trouble and we all perhaps get what we pay for.

Tweakie.

4309

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setting up the following statement in Mach3 for a CNC3040

« on: April 21, 2014, 08:11:44 AM »

I tend to agree with MC.

Replace the controller with something which is better quality and has good support - the Gecko G540 comes to mind http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g540.html 

Tweakie.

4310

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine wont zero after Homing

« on: April 20, 2014, 05:06:28 AM »

Hi Piccyman,

Those Velocity and Acceleration settings are fine also although I think you may run into problems with the axes mass if fitting a Porter-Cable style of router spindle.

In my view, the object of the exercise is not to have the fastest machine on the planet but rather the most accurate and reliable.

You may want to look again at your ‘steps per unit’ as according to my calculations…

20 tooth pulley, 3mm pitch belt, 200 steps per rev stepper, 1/16 micro-stepping equates to 53.3333… steps per mm.

36 tooth pulley, 2mm pitch belt, 200 steps per rev stepper, 1/16 micro-stepping equates to 44.4444… steps per mm.

This, of course, assumes that your belt is accurate (has not stretched etc.).

Tweakie.