Messages

4391

FAQs / Re: I NEEEEED HELP!!.....fast

« on: August 03, 2012, 03:04:40 AM »

Just a few things ;

I am not knocking these machines as many people are successfully using them without issue but they are built to a price and can lack proper quality control so you need to check everything mechanical for tightness and alignment. Then check your cables / plugs / sockets and in particular the supplied parallel port cable for continuity. You may also want to look inside the control box (after unplugging the mains cable) to visually inspect the wire connections, solder joints etc.
Check that you are using the latest (lockdown) version of Mach3 http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php with a Desktop PC preferably having 5 Volt TTL logic output from the parallel port (rather than 3.3 Volt TTL), having a separate video card (rather than onboard graphics). It is also important to check that you are using a genuine Mach3 license.
Also check your CAD/CAM software Postprocessor is actually producing Mach3 compatible GCode.

Perhaps posting your Mach3 .xml file and a sample GCode file that you are using may throw some light on your problem.

Tweakie.

4392

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis advice (Idiot proof please)

« on: July 31, 2012, 12:08:44 PM »

 

Tweakie.

4393

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis advice (Idiot proof please)

« on: July 31, 2012, 11:28:48 AM »

There is some information on stepper motor decay mode here ;  http://www.stepperworld.com/Tutorials/pgMicrostepping.htm

Tweakie.

4394

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: July 30, 2012, 02:36:40 AM »

Hi Astroguy,

I trust you had an excellent holiday.

My apologies for delay but commercial interest has been shown in the design of this probe so I am waiting a while to see just what transpires.

Tweakie.

4395

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Tangential Knife blade holder.

« on: July 28, 2012, 06:14:37 AM »

As it’s all part of the same project I thought perhaps these pics of the bearing housing may be of interest.

Stage 1 was to centre drill the 6 holes and (1mm undersize) profile the bore on the mill.
Stage 2 was turning the OD on a lathe.
Stage 3 was manually drilling and tapping the 6 holes and finishing the bore to a bearing fit.

Tweakie.

4396

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling issue with milled product

« on: July 26, 2012, 01:58:29 AM »

Hi deejayspinz,

When you load the GCode for your CamBam created box into Mach3 check the Program Limits in the ToolPath display window. Does it show the correct dimensions for your box (11mm x 13mm) ??

Tweakie.

4397

General Mach Discussion / Re: Was working but suddenly quit

« on: July 25, 2012, 02:01:19 AM »

Hi Cole,

Perhaps the first thing to check is that your parallel port (I assume you are using Port#1) is enabled and set to the correct address (usually 0x038) in Config, Ports & Pins. Then check all your electrical connections including the parallel port cable for continuity etc.
At switch-on your motors should lock position - if they do not, then check your power supply voltage to the drivers.

Coming back to Config, Ports & Pins - check Motor Outputs are enabled and the step / direction pins and port are correctly specified.

Get the machine running first then worry about the tool radius compensation issue second.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

4398

General Mach Discussion / Re: crashing....

« on: July 25, 2012, 01:17:00 AM »

Hi Banks,

Once you move into the area of servo drives, encoders etc that is more in the domain of Mr Hood's knowledge base than it is mine. If you post any questions you may have in a separate thread I am sure he will know the answers and of course, be only too willing to share his knowledge.

Tweakie.

4399

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My first attempt at a CNC build.

« on: July 24, 2012, 12:25:01 PM »

You have got it - the yellow flashing just lets you know the scale is not set to 1:1.

A free software you may be interested in is F-Engrave http://home.comcast.net/~sskroch/Fengrave/fengrave.html
It is good for both engraving and VCarving and it also allows the import of some types of DXF etc.

Tweakie.

4400

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My first attempt at a CNC build.

« on: July 24, 2012, 11:41:36 AM »

Hi Jammer,

On the main Mach3 screen there are Scale DRO's - If you set the X Axis and Y Axis to 2.0000 the part will be twice the size, if you set them to 0.5000 the part will be half size and so on (be sure to press return after changing each value). The ToolPath window will show the new size of the part in Program Limits (you may need to click Regen Toolpath for this display to update).

LazyCam is pretty good for converting some DXF's but not so good for others - you just have to try it and see. 

Tweakie.