Messages

4891

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Steps on x

« on: November 19, 2012, 12:29:33 PM »

If your new (old) PC has onboard graphics that could cause a problem - fitting a graphics card could be the way to go.

Tweakie.

4892

General Mach Discussion / Re: stepper has me stumped

« on: November 18, 2012, 04:04:28 AM »

Hi Kooka,

I am inclined to agree with you - dodgy motor.

It happens   

Tweakie.

4893

General Mach Discussion / Re: stepper has me stumped

« on: November 18, 2012, 02:32:52 AM »

Hi Kooka,

You have swapped axis and the problem follows the motor.
Are you saying that this particular stepper motor is the problem or are you saying that the G540 output for the Z axis is the problem ??

Tweakie.

4894

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: how to work the jcode recording plug in?

« on: November 17, 2012, 08:34:02 AM »

Download the file, then run (double click) the saved ‘jcode.m3p’
Within Mach3:- Config / Config Plugins enable JCode
Restart Mach3
Title Bar :- select   Jog -> GCode / Record Jogs / select File / set Feedrate

Return focus to Mach screen and jog axis to required position
select Record Point

Repeat the above 2 operation as necessary (you may need a few hours to spare here  )
Then click OK to save the GCode.

This plugin has perhaps been superseded by the improved ‘Copy Cat’ wizard which is a lot easier to use but unfortunately requires the NFS Wizards licence.

Tweakie.

4895

General Mach Discussion / Re: settings for eas m100/f controller

« on: November 16, 2012, 06:04:19 AM »

Hi Bru,

If you use the Google Chrome browser then that incorporates Google Translate which makes a near perfect job with the German language.

The EAS software downloads are here http://www.easgmbh.de/index.php?area=1&p=static&page=downloads

There are also pinout details for most models in their downloads section and you may also like to check out their forum for more information etc.

Tweakie.

4896

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Isolation Routing PCB's and Local System Rotate.

« on: November 15, 2012, 06:26:11 PM »

Many thanks Terry, I will give that a try. 

Tweakie.

4897

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Isolation Routing PCB's and Local System Rotate.

« on: November 15, 2012, 12:11:06 PM »

Thanks for the info Sam, much appreciated.

A Question...

Is there any way to increase the resolution (currently 0.1 degrees) of the Mach3 ' Local System Rotated' DRO as this appears to be my major stumbling block (as far as accuracy is concerned) ??

Tweakie.

4898

General Mach Discussion / Re: laser setings

« on: November 15, 2012, 10:29:13 AM »

I not sure that I fully understand your questions so I do not know if this is of any help or not.

The Z axis direction pin toggles Hi (+5Volts, or thereabouts) when the Z axis is moved in one direction and stays at that level until the Z axis is moved in the opposite direction when it returns to Low (0 Volts, or thereabouts) and stays at this level until the Z axis is moved in the opposite direction again. This signal can be used to turn the laser on / off but it does not, on it’s own, allow for variable laser power control, just on / off.

The digital trigger is probably not the best way to proceed but it can be turned on and off within Cypress Enable with the commands ActivateSignal(OUTPUT0) / DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT0) as it is essentially OUTPUT#0 and is the Digitize Output.

Tweakie.

4899

General Mach Discussion / Re: laser setings

« on: November 15, 2012, 06:02:06 AM »

Probably the easiest way to 'software control' laser output power settings is by using the Mach3 PWM signal (0 to 100%) controlled by the spindle speed S**** commands within your GCode.
This method does, however, have it’s limitations and by experimentation it has been found that a ‘stand-alone’ PWM generator controlled by Step and Direction signals and configured as a forth axis can work a whole lot better.

In addition you would also require a simple circuit to convert the 0 to 100% PWM to 0 to 5 Volts (or whatever voltage you require for your laser PSU).

What 'type' and what 'output power' laser are you using ??

Tweakie.

4900

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

« on: November 15, 2012, 05:01:46 AM »

HEY Tweaks, Can you track and shoot down ICBM's yet ?

You are having WAY too much fun.

(;-)TP

Hi Terry,

Given the distance and thus small angles involved I am sure Mach3 could handle the task but I think I would need a Damn Great Big Laser.  

Tweakie.