Messages

5391

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: May 13, 2012, 11:54:11 AM »

HIYA Tweaks , Have you thought about putting in an overtravel switch so that in cause the G31 goes wacky the OT switch will trip as a Limit and save the machine/tool/probe/part ??

Just a thought, (;-)TP

Hi Terry,

Must admit that I had not thought about that - damn good idea, thanks. 

Tweakie.

It's a very poor video (this is an area in which I really must improve my skills) but shows its operation. http://www.graytel.talktalk.net/probe.wmv

5392

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: May 13, 2012, 01:06:14 AM »

Thanks Ian. 

Thank you also for your work, a while back, relating to the G31 command and Mach’s interpretation of how variations in multiple contact resets the Var (2002) etc.
This was influential in my design and helped a lot.

Tweakie.

5393

Share Your GCode / Re: I NEED THE KISS LOGO IN G CODE

« on: May 10, 2012, 10:33:26 AM »

Hi Dave,

You are right about lazyCam - but it is extremely good at what it does despite not having all the features of other software's.

Logo's attached.

Tweakie.

5394

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: May 10, 2012, 02:06:04 AM »

Thank you for all the complements guys.

And we don't want that cheesy, cheap button, either. We want it made from platinum or at least gold.

Hi Sam,

This will make you smile....

The base / casing is made from aluminium and once it was finished, I swear I could hear your words saying "go on - anno it" so it was duly anodized and now has a silky smooth finish all thanks to you. 

Tweakie.

5395

Share Your GCode / Re: I NEED THE KISS LOGO IN G CODE

« on: May 10, 2012, 01:40:18 AM »

Hi Dave,

I know the feeling, it took me 12 months of savings to purchase the VCarve license. 

Tweakie.

Just a note for others that follow - Logo's such as this are often registered or copyrighted and whilst there is no problem relating to personal use they cannot be used for commercial purposes or public display etc. without first obtaining the necessary permissions from the owner of the design.

5396

Share Your GCode / Re: I NEED THE KISS LOGO IN G CODE

« on: May 09, 2012, 12:45:51 PM »

Here is an outline engraving toolpath which could also be used with a vinyl cutter.

You didn't specify dimension so this is small but you can use the Mach Scale DRO's to increase the size.

Tweakie.

5397

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: May 09, 2012, 12:09:13 PM »

Thanks guys, you are too kind.

I am going to re-layout the PCB as the prototype did not give quite enough space to solder the LED easily and I am still awaiting delivery of some different sized music wire as I have not yet finally decided on the appropriate contact spring pressure but it is all looking good so far.

This is the prototype PCB and top cover (the electrical contacts are on the other side of the PCB).

Tweakie.

5398

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 EStop Fault

« on: May 09, 2012, 08:32:54 AM »

Hi Terry,

Another possible cause is machining vibrations causing the limit switch contacts to bounce. The capacitors should cure this but there is no real substitute for high quality switches if this is the cause.

Tweakie.

5399

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: May 09, 2012, 08:27:31 AM »

My existing ‘touch plate’ has served me well over the years but as this relies on electrical contact between the ‘tool’ and the ‘plate’ it was just not possible to use it with the diamond and ceramic tipped tools I now have occasion to use.

Something a bit more sophisticated was required and an active, ‘probe type’, low profile, tool height setter seemed to be on the cards.

This is my first prototype and as luck would have it, works just as intended.

If others are interested, I would be pleased to post full constructional details of the project (together with the GCode files) once it has been fully tested and I am certain there are no hidden or unforeseen snags.

Tweakie.

5400

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 EStop Fault

« on: May 09, 2012, 02:15:41 AM »

Hi Terry,

One possible cause for this is electrical noise picked up on the limit switch / estop cabling. The easiest first step is to increase the debounce interval (general config page) to 4000 or so and see if this makes any improvement. If it does then fit miniature 0.1uf capacitors from each used switch input to your BoB and GND then return the debounce setting to its previous value.

Tweakie.