Messages

4781

General Mach Discussion / Re: issues with PCB milling - newbie

« on: May 06, 2012, 05:17:16 AM »

Hi Thomas,

My choice would be to reduce the backlash mechanically.

For a test program, you could try something like this where the central line is composed of 3 separate segments approached from alternate directions – if it is stepped, then that would show the backlash on the Y axis.

Tweakie.

Code: [Select]

f100
g21
g0 z2
g0 y0 x0
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X10
g0 Z2
g0 y75 x0
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X10
g0 Z2
g0 y150 x0
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X10
g0 Z2
g0 y75
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X20
g0 Z2
g0 y0 x10
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X20
g0 Z2
g0 y75
g1 Z-0.5
g1 X30
g0 Z2
g0 y0 x0
m30
%


4782

General Mach Discussion / Re: issues with PCB milling - newbie

« on: May 06, 2012, 03:22:27 AM »

Spot on guys. 

The PCB is for a low profile probe and by mounting conventional components within the boards thickness the overall height can be reduced. I am looking at other alternatives such as pocketing a slightly thicker top cover to accommodate the components and so on. Ah the joys of R & D.

The milling / isolation routing technique is certainly quick and easy for this type of work and although the small engraving cutters impose very little loading on the machine it is pretty essential to have as near to zero backlash as is possible and of course, a perfectly flat and true work table.

Tweakie.

4783

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM analogue 0-10V need help

« on: May 04, 2012, 07:10:26 AM »

I am pleased you got it sorted.    (more pictures required of the excellent things you make, please - that Epiphone is great).

Tweakie.

4784

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM analogue 0-10V need help

« on: May 04, 2012, 05:50:36 AM »

Hi Mad Welder,

Just a snip from the C32 manual - "Requirements: It requires a +12VDC@50mA power supply to operate".

Don't know if this helps but it was just a thought.

Tweakie.

4785

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Download Question

« on: May 03, 2012, 02:02:05 AM »

Hi Illmakemyown,

Check all your wiring again.
Check that your Mach parallel port address is correct.
Check that you have the Mach Ports and Pins configured correctly.
etc.

Tweakie.

4786

General Mach Discussion / Re: issues with PCB milling - newbie

« on: May 02, 2012, 02:08:07 AM »

I don’t know if posting this here will be of any help but PCB milling is good for certain applications but not so good for others.

I make quite a few prototype PCB’s and for simple circuits the ‘isolation routing’ method is probably the quickest and cleanest method I have ever used, particularly if there are drilled holed or machined profiles etc as with a couple of tool changes the whole process can be completed in minimal time. As a layout starts to become more complicated and particularly if there are large areas of copper to be removed then the ‘print and acid etch’ method comes into it’s own and it is really just a matter of deciding where the break point occurs.

This little PCB was made by isolation routing and represents a mornings work from creating the layout to producing the prototype.

Tweakie.

4787

General Mach Discussion / Re: part size in tool path

« on: May 01, 2012, 06:55:47 AM »

I really didn't know that. Something else I have learn't from the master. Thank you Hood. 

Tweakie.

4788

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unwanted Step Pulses

« on: April 29, 2012, 12:58:01 PM »

Hi Alan,

My apologies, I did not mean to suggest that your software was not genuine I just wanted to clarify that you were not using trial or demo versions.

Tweakie

4789

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unwanted Step Pulses

« on: April 29, 2012, 08:48:43 AM »

Hi Rich
I have already tried this and am certain that this is not a mechanical issue as the Z axis only moves up never down , only by a small amount but always up , if I watch the DRO for Z then where as it should be cutting at depth of say 5mm then it will alternate from the 5mm that it is supposed to cut to 4.9650 and then back to 5mm , as I say not a great amount , the other thing is that if I remove the stepper motor from the "Z" axis and just hold it in my hand you can see and feel the motor run down to where it would be machining at the required depth and then you can see and feel the motor move a small amount so I am convinced that this is an electrical problem and not mechanical
Thanks
Alan

Hi Alan,

If your Mach3 DRO's are showing the incorrect Z axis movement then the problem is either in you GCode or within Mach3. I trust you are using the fully licensed versions of both Mach3 and Vectric Aspire ??

Tweakie.

4790

*****VIDEOS***** / Re: Vbit carving using home made cnc router and mach software

« on: April 25, 2012, 02:07:04 AM »

Excellent work Valmet.

Tweakie.