Messages

4921

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: older precix router and gcode. Possible or not

« on: November 06, 2011, 03:08:01 AM »

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Usually, machines that use HPGL are driven by a serial connection and Mach3, essentially, uses the computer's parallel port for it's machine communication.

Obviously it depends on many factors but, basically, if your Precix is driven by Bipolar Stepper Motors then it is pretty easy and straightforward to replace the existing drive electronics with something like the Gecko 540 controller http://www.geckodrive.com/g540-p-39.html
There is a bit of skill involved but it is not rocket science.
If the Precix uses servos instead of steppers then it is still doable but slightly more complicated and costly.

There are many, here on the forum, who have undertaken a similar task, albeit a different machine, who will be willing to help with any problems you encounter if you decide to take on the task.

Good fortune.

Tweakie.

4922

General Mach Discussion / Re: Wacky axis movement

« on: November 06, 2011, 02:54:51 AM »

Don,

If your motor tuning is in mm (and it is correct) then just convert the metric entries to inch units (eg. 320 steps / 25.4 = 12.5984 steps) and so on for Vel. and Acc. - remember to save each axis settings before proceeding to next axis. Also make sure Config. / Select Native Units is set to inches. Then test it thoroughly and if necessary make any small adjustments to Vel. and Acc. to obtain the best, 100% reliable, performance.

Tweakie.

4923

General Mach Discussion / Re: Wacky axis movement

« on: November 05, 2011, 09:50:24 AM »

BUT, if I load a file then all three DROs move to a seemingly random location.  If I then move the spindle 1 or 2 inches the DRO only moves by some small amount, say .06 or something.

Don,

What file are you loading ??
Does this happen with any file ??

Tweakie.

4924

General Mach Discussion / Re: no jog

« on: November 05, 2011, 03:41:40 AM »

Have you tried running "DriverTest.exe" (found in the Mach folder) ??

If this doesn't run then the drivers are not loaded and this could be a memory problem as you suspect.

Tweakie.

4925

General Mach Discussion / Re: Wacky axis movement

« on: November 05, 2011, 03:37:34 AM »

Have you checked your native units are set to inches (assuming you are working in inches) ??
Is the GCode file you are loading using inch units ??

Tweakie.

4926

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just Bought My First CNC Mill - Need Help Setting Up

« on: November 04, 2011, 04:35:20 AM »

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to the forum.
Very nice little machine you have there.

To use with Mach I would be inclined to fit a Gecko 540 controller http://www.geckodrive.com/g540-p-39.html (or similar) to replace the existing control electronics.

Just a thought.

Tweakie.

4927

General Mach Discussion / Re: Delta VFD control from Mach

« on: November 04, 2011, 03:16:26 AM »

Thanks guys! The more I learn about this stuff the more I find that  I don't know:)

Don

Tell me about it 

Tweakie.

4928

General Mach Discussion / Re: Delta VFD control from Mach

« on: November 03, 2011, 12:11:25 PM »

Hi Don,

Welcome to the forum.

The VFD requires a 0 - 10 Volt dc source to control the speed and Mach has a PWM output intended for operating a VFD.
You need a controller board to convert the PWM signal to the 0 - 10V such as this http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=303 which also has the on/off - forward/reverse relays.

Tweakie.

4929

Tangent Corner / Re: A Winter Project.

« on: November 03, 2011, 02:59:31 AM »

A couple of the parts that will no longer be used.

Graviner (Kidde) fire extinguisher system nozzle (1956).
A fire detector, presumably using a eutectic alloy to bridge two contacts (1965).

Both of these, together with one more nozzle and two more detectors were originally fitted to the outer casing above the apu.

Tweakie.

4930

General Mach Discussion / Re: first run with mach3

« on: November 03, 2011, 01:33:36 AM »

dear tweakie


is it right ?,to change the step to get the corect pitch ,we just set the motor tunning # stepp per # only or we need adjust at another place at mach3?

pls advise.

thank you.

It is just set in motor tuning.
After changing the axis steps, save axis settings then proceed to the next axis etc.

Tweakie.