Messages

4671

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

« on: June 05, 2013, 01:15:47 PM »

Thanks guys you are far too kind. 

As I learn more from others it is nice to re-visit the things I have done in the past and see if improvements in my techniques can be made.

This is only my second attempt at laser etching photographic images into the rear surface of a mirror and thought you may like to see the result.

It’s a bit on the dark side (too much contrast) but I think I can improve that for the next attempt.

I used 'PicEngravePro' to create the Mach3 toolpath - thanks John (Picengraver) for such excellent software and all the time and effort you have put into making it what it is today.

Tweakie.

4672

General Mach Discussion / Re: noob wants a 3040, what is the best

« on: June 05, 2013, 05:25:17 AM »

Hi Nobby, welcome to the forum.

Just my opinion…

These machines are only really suitable for light duty, short duration, work.
If it works as intended, straight out of the box, then fine.
If there is a problem (any problem) the seller is unlikely to respond to your e-mails.
The maker’s warranty usually requires the faulty part to be returned ‘Air Mail’ to China and the replacement part (if it arrives) may be subject to import tax (or similar).

That said, we all have to start somewhere but I suspect you would be disappointed with the performance of this particular machine.

Tweakie.

4673

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis not working appropriately

« on: June 02, 2013, 02:53:02 AM »

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but you may want to try checking Sherline 1/2 Pulse mode (Config / Ports & Pins) then restarting Mach3 and see if this makes any difference.

Tweakie.

4674

Mach3 under Vista / Re: configuring mach3 with vista and running on pci card for motion controller.

« on: May 31, 2013, 10:27:05 AM »

Quite correct, parallel port operation is only available for 32 bit operating systems. One possible option for your 64 bit PC is to use an external motion controller such as the Smooth Stepper.

Tweakie.

4675

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

« on: May 30, 2013, 11:52:57 AM »

Hi Guys,

Welcome to the forum.

Tweakie.

4676

Mach3 under Vista / Re: configuring mach3 with vista and running on pci card for motion controller.

« on: May 30, 2013, 11:51:21 AM »

I think you need to go into Windows Device Manager to establish the Port address of your new PCI card then enter this address into Port#1 (Mach Ports and Pins).

(motherboards with on-board PP usually have the address 0378 but PCI cards will be different).

Tweakie.

4677

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach License

« on: May 30, 2013, 08:03:04 AM »

Beer,

For the Mach3 license go here http://www.machsupport.com/purchase.php

Tweakie.

4678

General Mach Discussion / Re: MI2000 CNC machine from 19's year

« on: May 29, 2013, 07:34:19 AM »

Not sure if I can explain my thinking but I will give it a try…

1)   Your stepper motors should ‘lock’ when your complete system is connected and powered up.

2)   You have said:-  ‘What I can see are if I disconnect the parallel port from the computer the CNC says one "click" noise and then you cant move any axis by hand, if I connect the parallel port into the computer it make a "click" noise and then I can move all 3 axis by hand.’

3)   My opinion is that you need to find which (LPT) wire is disabling the machine and then set your Mach3 configuration so that particular wire is either ‘Active Hi’ or ‘Active Low’ so that your motors ‘lock’ when the machine is connected to your PC and powered up.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

4679

General Mach Discussion / Re: MI2000 CNC machine from 19's year

« on: May 29, 2013, 05:36:56 AM »

Sorry Norsk, I did not explain it well - my mistake. 

I was referring to changing the active states within Mach3 (Config / Ports & Pins).

Tweakie.

4680

General Mach Discussion / Re: SERIOUS jog problem!

« on: May 29, 2013, 04:03:15 AM »

Hi Sam,

Same thing happens here with both versions fd and efb of the plugin.

However, I have not determined if this is a USS issue or a Mach3 issue ?? (obviously one or the other is sending out the un-requested series of step pulses).

Tweakie.