Messages

4341

Post Processors / Re: Here's Delcam Featurecam Mach3 Mill and Turn Post Processors

« on: September 03, 2013, 08:48:27 AM »

Hi Mitch,

Assuming you are using the Parallel Port then it may just be worth checking the voltage between an LPT axis Direction Signal pin and GND (pin 25) whilst jogging that axis in each direction.
The newer Parallel Ports use 3.3 Volt TTL logic and many of the cheap Chinese controllers like to see the older 5 Volt TTL logic signals.

Tweakie.

4342

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jerky Motion 5 Axis Mill........(sound familiar?)

« on: September 01, 2013, 04:53:25 AM »

Hi Matt,

It could well be your BobCad generated GCode which is creating the jerky motion (perhaps if you zip and attach your GCode file others could test it and confirm one way or the other ?). Perhaps also attach your current profile .xml file then it can be established if you have any Mach3 setup issues.

Tweakie.

4343

FAQs / Re: path view doesn't update with changes to file

« on: August 29, 2013, 02:06:34 AM »

Try clicking the Regen. Toolpath button - this always seemed to work for me.

Tweakie.

4344

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with Mach 3

« on: August 28, 2013, 11:31:33 AM »

Hi Chris,

My guess is that your GCode is OK and that your Steps per Unit have been set incorrectly in Motor Tuning.

It is perhaps best to calculate the steps as per your equipment and Al's calculator can help http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html
Alternately, you could use the Mach3 Axis calibration feature (Settings page).

Tweakie.

4345

General Mach Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: August 28, 2013, 08:14:45 AM »

Hi Bobby,

Welcome to the forum.

Tweakie.

4346

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Probing Wizard/Screen

« on: August 28, 2013, 06:55:50 AM »

Nice work Terry.

Tweakie.

4347

General Mach Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: August 28, 2013, 05:56:00 AM »

Hi Tony,

It would be best if you post your question as a new topic in the General section where it will get more attention and hopefully some suggestions towards resolving your problem (this area is just for introductions).

Tweakie.

4348

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with Mach 3

« on: August 28, 2013, 03:36:40 AM »

Hi Chris,

Not sure if this is any help to you or not…

I machine many circuit boards and often use different CAD/CAM software to create the layouts. As the problem of scale is always a possibility I now include in the layout an outside border, of known dimension, around the pcb (or two outside markers of known distance).
Once the GCode has been loaded into Mach3 the Toolpath tab shows the Program Limits (size of my border or distance between markers) I then, if necessary, adjust the X and Y Scale DRO’s (main screen) to get the size correct (just a simple calculation required here).

Tweakie.

4349

Galil / Re: Using Galils Amp enable pins

« on: August 27, 2013, 12:28:15 PM »

Does this help ? http://pcbheaven.com/wikipages/Transistor_Circuits/

Tweakie.

4350

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Help and advising on breakout board / motion controller for my machine

« on: August 27, 2013, 02:40:54 AM »

My advice would be to start out simple (and cheap) with a basic PC (with parallel port) and a basic breakout board.

Once you have your machine up and running (having learnt about the way in which your motor controllers are connected, limit / home switches configured and Mach3 is setup etc.) you will know it’s full potential together with any possible limitations.
You then have a base to work from and can improve (perhaps at a cost) the areas that need improving.

(Although I have a Smooth Stepper motion controller, for 99.9% of the time I am still using the parallel port and basic PC running WinXP).

Tweakie.