Messages

5371

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laptop with parallel Port

« on: October 11, 2012, 01:54:25 AM »

Hi Darryl,

If it's any help, the micro-switches I use are the Honeywell type which have 3 terminals (Common - NC - NO) and these are readily available on ebay.

You need to have your 'E-Stop' connected to a separate input from the series connected 'limit switches'. This way you can 'reset' then jog the axis off the activated limit switch.

Tweakie. 

5372

General Mach Discussion / Re: i must be totally stupid and dumb

« on: October 10, 2012, 05:10:30 AM »

Inkscape is pretty good at creating the .dxf files but there is a lot to learn if you are to use it well.

Although not always brilliant LazyCam (included with Mach3) will create the GCode from a .dxf.

This link may also be of interest to you http://www.rotordesign.com/servolite/body_dxf_to_gcode.html

Tweakie.

5373

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

« on: October 10, 2012, 02:31:25 AM »

Hi Darryl,

Welcome to the forum - no worries about being that young, it's a fascinating hobby, just take it one step at a time and it will all start to become simple.

You need to post your questions as a new topic in the general section in order to get reasonable exposure - this section is really just for introductions.

In my opinion you will be unlikely to successfully use a laptop computer without an external motion controller (such as the Warp9 Smooth Stepper).

Some breakout boards incorporate 'pull-up' resistors on their inputs (they go to +5Volts when open circuit) so 'normally closed' limit switches will only operate in the 'active high' mode.

Hope this helps a bit.

Tweakie.

5374

FAQs / Re: Circles are not round

« on: October 09, 2012, 12:42:53 PM »

Hi Joerg,

Please don't make multiple postings regarding the same subject - it only serves to diversify any response.

Thanks.

Tweakie.

5375

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

« on: October 09, 2012, 08:24:38 AM »

Hi Brett,

It's 150mm x 95mm.

Tweakie.

5376

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis height limit.

« on: October 09, 2012, 07:50:05 AM »

Hi Paul,

I am pleased you got it sorted.

Tweakie.

5377

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

« on: October 09, 2012, 07:32:58 AM »

It's the grain of the wood Dan.

Tweakie.

5378

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis height limit.

« on: October 09, 2012, 07:30:47 AM »

Hi Paul,

As you are taking care of safe Z within the Vectric generated GCode - Within Mach3 Config / Safe Z setup (uncheck allow safe z moves).

Tweakie.

5379

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis height limit.

« on: October 09, 2012, 07:04:59 AM »

Hi Paul,

Look at your 'Safe Z' setting within Mach3. 

Tweakie.

5380

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

« on: October 09, 2012, 07:00:10 AM »

Thanks for the info Brett, it is most helpful.

Overall the Obechi seems to give me the best results with, contrast ratio, so far but I still have a few more different woods here to try.

Tweakie.