Messages

4381

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

« on: August 09, 2012, 07:52:02 AM »

I have been asked by Picengraver to test a beta version of his latest software ‘PicLaser’ and as I have no commercial interest in this product think it would be OK to post a few details here.

PicLaser takes a bitmap image and enables it to be converted to a dithered halftone (using one of a number of different, industry standard algorithms) then generates the necessary GCode to reproduce the image. It uses a unique method to create a laser ‘on time’ dwell which makes it just as suitable for high as well as low power lasers. I have not yet tried it using an impact magnet (my next task) but I have every confidence.

This was my first test piece with the laser, it is faux aluminium faced engraving laminate, with the image just slightly larger than life size and took around 20 minutes to complete. I have deliberately scaled the image up a bit and kept the focus tight so the individual dots are clearly visible but for portrait work it is generally considered best to de-focus slightly, producing a somewhat larger dot size which blends in a smoother manner.

Tweakie.

4382

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 08, 2012, 11:50:09 AM »

Gecko makes good stepper drivers and the G540 is popular http://www.geckodrive.com/featured-products.html

Tweakie.

4383

General Mach Discussion / Re: Code running.....machine not moving.

« on: August 08, 2012, 11:19:23 AM »

Just a wild guess but the switched mode type of power supply or a voltage regulator or a stepper driver can shut down if it is stressed (excessive current / voltage / temperature) and only come back to life when the power is re-cycled.

Tweakie.

4384

General Mach Discussion / Re: Thread Mill Wizard - Slanted thread produced

« on: August 08, 2012, 02:01:40 AM »

Hi NGR,

Just out or curiosity, Is the 'out of square' always in the same direction ??

Tweakie.

4385

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 08, 2012, 01:08:10 AM »

Ah, the steppers have that good dent feeling when I use a vise grip. Even with the motors connected to the board and power on, the vise grip is able to rotate the shaft with ease. So, can I guess the driver board is bad?

Hi CES,

That is perhaps not a good assumption to make. Steppers that have stalled can actually have less torque than when they are not powered at all.

The fact that you have 3.3 Volt logic output from your Parallel port card is more likely to be the clue to the problem. If it was me, I would obtain a PP card with 5 Volt logic output and try that before anything else.

Tweakie.

4386

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC conversion to Mach3 possible?

« on: August 07, 2012, 11:13:50 AM »

Hi Robby,

That is one beautiful looking router.

IMO yes it could be converted to run GCode via Mach3 etc. but it would almost certainly involve a lot of work with electrical knowledge and skills being required.

Tweakie.

4387

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 07, 2012, 10:45:59 AM »

Hi CES,

Just a thought, but if (with everything switched off) you rotate the steppers by hand and can feel a magnetic detent (a sort of cogging) then they are probably good and it is more likely that it is the driver board which is bad. If the steppers rotate freely without any cogging that would indicate that the rotors are not magnetized and in that case they may well behave much as you have described.

Tweakie.

4388

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 06, 2012, 11:46:33 AM »

Hi CES,

Perhaps, with a multimeter check your motor connections (motors disconnected). The Red / Blu pair (A+ / A-) should show continuity and same with the Grn / Blk pair. Also check your parallel port lead to ensure that all pins are connected and that they connect pin 1 to pin 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3 and so on.

If you are using WinXP then download and run Parmon http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml this will let you determine that your PC parallel port is actually outputting signals.

Tweakie.

4389

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 06, 2012, 02:07:25 AM »

Hi Chas,

I think your first guess at the  pins allocation is probably the right one.
I have made an alteration to your .xml for you to try (If this makes your motors move then you need to set up all the other parameters to suit your system). Rename the CES2.xml to Mach3Mill.xml. 

Tweakie.

4390

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Phidgets USB and Mach3, need a Post Processor

« on: August 04, 2012, 07:13:16 AM »

I was wondering if someone could help me figure out how to make a post processor for a 1062 4 motor controller manufactured by Phidgets.

Hi Rob,

It may help if you explain, in simple terms, exactly what you want to do or achieve with this so called “post-processor”.

Tweakie.