Messages

5101

FAQs / Re: newby question

« on: August 19, 2011, 11:13:09 AM »

Hi Dannos,

Welcome to the forum.

Pins are the individual signal carriers and ports contain the group of individual pins.
For example, a computer with a parallel printer port may have one 25 way D type connector identified as an LPT port, this port in turn has 25 pins which can carry signals.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

5102

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: August 19, 2011, 10:53:35 AM »

Hi Nigel,

I look forward to seeing some pictures of the things you make with your CNC - we all love to see pictures 

Tweakie.

5103

General Mach Discussion / Re: testing outputs on breakout card

« on: August 19, 2011, 07:43:45 AM »

But shouldn't the step pins have changed even if randomly?

You will need much faster measuring equipment than you are currently using if you want to see much activity on the step pins (oscilloscope would be good).

Seems you are trying to find a fault where none exists 

Tweakie.

5104

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

« on: August 19, 2011, 05:49:14 AM »

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum.

If you post your question in the General section (new topic) it will receive more coverage and you should get help straight away.

Tweakie.

5105

General Mach Discussion / Re: testing outputs on breakout card

« on: August 19, 2011, 04:55:20 AM »

Hi John,

As I understand it you have proved that the inputs work OK.

If you are running XP then download and run Parmon, this enables the output pins to be toggled (without any hardware connected). If the port does not respond correctly with Parmon then I would conclude that it is damaged.

http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml

Tweakie.

5106

General Mach Discussion / Re: testing outputs on breakout card

« on: August 19, 2011, 04:30:06 AM »

Hi John,

Take care when physically testing the inputs and outputs of the parallel port at the 25 way connector. They are quite fragile and intolerant to incorrect connection.

Tweakie.

5107

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

« on: August 19, 2011, 02:19:09 AM »

Hi Russ,

Thinking back on some of my fishing trips, I may have told the odd one or two hip boots but never told any chest waders. 

Tweakie.

5108

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: August 19, 2011, 02:12:29 AM »

Hi Obal,

Thanks for posting the video link - that has given me something to think about. 

Tweakie.

5109

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

« on: August 19, 2011, 02:09:16 AM »

Hi John,

You need the MDE 2003 v7 with .NET framework.
I don't think this is a current product anymore but it appears on ebay, quite cheaply, every now and again.

Tweakie.

5110

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 STOPS DURING WORK

« on: August 18, 2011, 07:55:29 AM »

To prevent future problems it may be a good idea to fit a 0.1uF capacitor between each switch input and GND on your Breakout Board. This trick seems to have cured the electrical noise problems of quite a few in the past.

Tweakie.