Messages

5361

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Impact Engraving.

« on: November 20, 2012, 11:27:50 AM »

The magnet Andrea and I are using together with more details of the process are shown in this thread http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16446.msg111240.html#msg111240

Tweakie.

5362

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Steps on x

« on: November 20, 2012, 10:46:53 AM »

Thanks tweakie, that helps. Do you guys think adding a wireless network card could cause issues also? I forgot that I added that also to the machine.

In my opinion yes, but like all things, I think you just have to try removing it and see if the problem goes away.

Tweakie.

5363

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: congreve clock

« on: November 20, 2012, 05:14:46 AM »

Very nice workmanship Graham. That is certainly going to be a time piece to be proud of.

Tweakie.

5364

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z-Axis Repeatability: Small Changes

« on: November 20, 2012, 03:33:55 AM »

Hi Richard,

Make sure that your V bit is actually being held securely in your collet (and that the collet is the correct size for the tool) - It is often the simplest things that cause us the problems. 

Tweakie.

5365

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Controlling an Industrial Arm using MACH3

« on: November 20, 2012, 02:38:38 AM »

Just a note for others that follow - this thread relates http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,9758.0.html

Tweakie.

5366

General Mach Discussion / Re: Losing Steps on x

« on: November 20, 2012, 02:12:44 AM »

I have a card at home I can try. Lets hope this works.  Any idea why this causes a problem?

When using an LPT Parallel Port, Mach3 takes control of the Win OS in order to output it's pulse train (step and direction signals) and if the PC has other refresh / update priorities there can be a conflict. Any interruption in this pulse train can lead to lost steps so fitting a graphics card can reduce the loading on the OS.

The definitive explanation is probably a lot more complicated than this but it is more or less the gist of it. 

Tweakie.

5367

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.

5368

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.

5369

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.

5370

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.