Messages

4821

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie set up question

« on: November 11, 2013, 01:42:28 AM »

how can I import a G code file and tell what the properties of the file are like units (inches or mm) or output size.

Once you have loaded a GCode, open the 'Toolpath' screen and 'Program Limits' show the size.

Tweakie.

4822

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dirty jittery movement on one axis

« on: November 10, 2013, 01:40:22 PM »

Could you tell me why it's considered bad practice? I had plenty of motors and I figured that double the motors would be double the torque? Plus I have a 22,000rpm router as my cutter so I'm just using the slide on that for my z axis and it needs the two pressure points to keep it nice and straight.

I understand your reasoning but both the TA8435H and TB6560HQ chips have been designed to handle just one motor. A web search should reveal the technical data, design data and manufacturers application notes should you wish to research this in more detail.

Basically, each stepper motor should have its own, dedicated, driver and ‘slaving’ of two axes (within Mach3) is the usual practice when two motors are used to drive together.

However, don’t let this stop you from trying your design ideas – stretching the envelope and thinking outside the box is true innovation but you should perhaps be prepared to run into problems which others before you have already discovered.

Tweakie.

4823

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dirty jittery movement on one axis

« on: November 10, 2013, 12:12:52 PM »

HYU…
Dongguan Hungyu manufacture various stepper driver boards which are then marketed by other distributors etc under different names so it is difficult to identify which one you actually have.
As far as I am aware they all use either the Toshiba TA8435H or the Toshiba TB6560HQ driver chips and you need to identify which of these you have fitted.
Replacement chips are available from many different sources / suppliers but I would suggest an ebay search for the best price.

(Interesting that you are using 2 stepper motors for each of the 3 axes. As a general rule, it is not considered good practice to connect more than one stepper motor to each axis output from any driver board although I understand that it can be done).

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

4824

*****VIDEOS***** / Re: Mach3 Turn CSS Mythbuster

« on: November 10, 2013, 05:03:51 AM »

Excellent work Chris.

(Interesting about only working correctly after the second run).

Tweakie.

4825

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dirty jittery movement on one axis

« on: November 10, 2013, 12:58:22 AM »

Do you have any details on the controller board or a picture perhaps ?

Tweakie.

4826

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dirty jittery movement on one axis

« on: November 09, 2013, 12:36:23 PM »

Hi Alex,

Welcome to the forum.

Seems like you have done the right sort of trouble-shooting and assuming you have the micro-steps and drive current set correctly for the axis in question I would suspect the driver IC chip on your circuit board for that axis. If it is Toshiba then perhaps not too difficult or expensive to replace it and see what transpires ?

Tweakie.

4827

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help!

« on: November 09, 2013, 12:24:39 PM »

 

Tweakie.

4828

FAQs / Re: possible software problem???

« on: November 09, 2013, 12:08:15 PM »

They look like reasonable micro-switches to me and your orientation is OK too.

What I would try is connecting a miniature 0.1uF capacitor across the switch contacts that you are connecting to - if there is any switch contact-bounce then this should suppress it.
However, if there is any looseness or 'play' in the mounting of the roller arm on the switch or if the switch is not mounted securely then this could be a problem.

Tweakie.

4829

FAQs / Re: possible software problem???

« on: November 09, 2013, 04:16:30 AM »

Just out of curiosity, what make and type of switch are you using for the Z axis ?

Tweakie.

4830

General Mach Discussion / Re: weird problem

« on: November 09, 2013, 03:35:42 AM »

does anyone else have this problem

Not exactly, but when I start Mach3 - if I cannot cancel 'Reset' by using the keyboard ' key and have to use the mouse click on the button instead there is a high chance of problems so if this happens I now do a restart (infrequent event though).

It's all down to the 'weird and wonderful' Microsoft OS  

Tweakie.