Messages

4331

General Mach Discussion / Re: Text centering

« on: August 27, 2012, 03:35:25 AM »

There are many options but the method I prefer is to set the datum (X, Y Zero) at the centre of the created text then locate the centre of the work and zero the machine at this point. As you have discovered, the engrave wizard is not so good for this but there is a free engraving software "F-Engrave"  http://home.comcast.net/~sskroch/Fengrave/fengrave.html which is almost, if not perfect for this task.

Tweakie.

4332

General Mach Discussion / Re: New Build

« on: August 27, 2012, 03:21:05 AM »

Truly excellent build Nicolas - you have put a lot of work and experience into this project. My congratulations.

Tweakie.

4333

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

« on: August 26, 2012, 06:46:56 AM »

My family had great plans for the holiday weekend but, fortunately, the poor weather forecast came to my rescue and I was able to take a day out to construct the extension to my laser tube enclosure. This did not exactly go down too well with them but they now have my full attention for the next couple of days. 

The new tube will sit on the two existing mountings, held in position by the elastic bungee cords and the laser beam will exit through the small hole in the far end of the enclosure. Although the mountings are adjustable, from underneath, I am hopeful that the alignment will not be too much of a drama.

Tweakie.

4334

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

« on: August 25, 2012, 02:11:21 AM »

Hi Jammerm,

In creating the photons (laser beam) atoms in the gas mixture get consumed - bit like a battery, it has to run out one day. 

Tweakie.

4335

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

« on: August 24, 2012, 07:30:04 AM »

Eventually my laser has started to show some erratic behaviour by failing to trigger properly at low current settings and it is now evident that it is time to replace the tube.
The original has done some sterling service over the last few years (imported from the USA in March 2007) but they don’t last forever and must always be regarded as expendable components.

Also as always, nothing is ever simple and I have not been able to easily obtain a ‘size for size’ replacement so some modifications are going to be required to accommodate a longer length of tube.

The standard 30/40 Watt Chinese laser tube is approx. 700mm overall length and offering one up to the existing enclosure shows that I will need to construct bit of an extension to enclose the high voltage end.

Something I learnt a few years back – no CNC project is ever finished it always remains an ongoing adventure.  

Tweakie.

4336

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: August 22, 2012, 12:36:49 PM »

Hi Larry,

I am pleased this has created inspiration - now I am looking forward to reading about your new developments. 

Tweakie.

4337

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: August 22, 2012, 10:40:03 AM »

Hi John,

If connecting PC to machine via the Parallel Port there are only 5 available inputs per port so a second parallel card would be required or perhaps an external motion controller may be a better proposition.
Mach3 is intended to be fully customizable and I see no major problems with implementing most of the functions from buttons but I think you would also need a tracker ball (similar function to mouse) for some of the operations.
Ideally you would use a ‘touch screen’ display - creating positioning and labeling any new buttons as required using one of the various Screen Designer programs freely available. (Many of the button functions you mention are already on the screen, they would just need resizing with new captions etc.).
I am not certain about running the program backwards as I have never used the Reverse Run feature but it may be easier to scroll the program back then use Run From Here.

Tweakie.
 

4338

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: August 22, 2012, 07:21:05 AM »

Hi John,

Once Feed-Hold has been evoked and the machine stops you can jog the axis anywhere you wish. The position is recorded by the DRO's.

When 'Run From Here' is evoked it will return to the position where it left off or the position shown in the current GCode line you have selected. (Jogging the axis will not loose position).

Tweakie.

4339

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: August 22, 2012, 02:08:28 AM »

As long as position is not lost (the interrupt is a Feed-Hold) then the GCode can be scrolled back to any previous point then the 'Run From Here' feature used (setting a suitable Rapid Height clearance) making the necessary Preperational Move and then the program re-commenced using Cycle Start.

Tweakie.

4340

General Mach Discussion / Re: Decimal precision.

« on: August 22, 2012, 01:31:49 AM »

 

Tweakie.