Messages

5421

General Mach Discussion / Re: which software package to purchase

« on: February 03, 2012, 03:45:02 AM »

Try this free program http://www.gsimple.gr/
It is relatively quick / easy to learn and will teach you all the basics for free.

Once you are making stuff then you can start looking around.

Tweakie.

5422

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

« on: February 03, 2012, 02:39:15 AM »

Hi Greg,

I went through this a while back, tried various speed / power settings with no improvement.

Thanks to Sam, who looked closely at my toolpath, he found that my circles / curves were not smooth so the cut was not smooth and the results were rubbish.

This was typical of the problem - note how the true horizontals have been cut perfectly yet all other angles are poor.


After cleaning up the dxf the results were much improved.


Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

5423

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

« on: January 31, 2012, 07:46:59 AM »

Hi Greg,

That's great news, I am really pleased you have it all working OK.

Don't forget to post some pictures. 

Tweakie.

5424

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

« on: January 31, 2012, 05:30:31 AM »

Hi Greg,

I use two different Mach profiles;
For Raster and the Mach plugin the Digital Trigger is mapped to the LPT parallel port pin that is used to fire the laser.
For Vector my GCode has M11P1 to turn the laser ON and M10P1 to turn the laser OFF then Output #1 is mapped to the LPT parallel port pin that is used to fire the laser (the P# relates to the Output Pin#).

You have probably seen this already but the schematic of my laser control is here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/circuit2aa.jpg  and the LPT parallel port pin (referred to above) connects to the TTL input. (The two, series TTL gates I am using are there just as a buffer and to ensure a proper 5 Volt logic switching, for the laser PSU, from the parallel port output which could possibly be 3.3 Volts).

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

5425

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

« on: January 30, 2012, 08:48:09 AM »

 

Tweakie.

5426

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

« on: January 30, 2012, 08:05:39 AM »

Hi Greg,

As I think I mentioned in the PDF, the plugin doesn't necessarily work 'straight out of the box', it takes a bit of practice but once you get the hang of it then I think you will find that the results are extremely hard to beat. I am hoping that one day Art will convert his laser machine to using Mach 3 then he will be able to use his plugin as well 

I would be grateful of a copy of your Vectric PP if it is to be shared.

Tweakie.

5427

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

« on: January 30, 2012, 07:34:34 AM »

Hi Greg,

As Art has made the plugin open source I have made a few modifications to it and the latest version can be downloaded from here;  http://tweakie.byethost10.com/Engraving.zip  (just copy paste the dll into the plugins folder).

We all look forward to seeing some pictures (please) of the work you produce with your laser and the plugin.

Tweakie.

5428

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 with tb6560 4 axis (little blue) board controller

« on: January 30, 2012, 06:23:12 AM »

Hi Clive,

I think Hood is correct - this type of pendant only provides the step and direction signals directly to the board.

I will do a bit of research to see if I can find any info relating to the USB connection as it may still be possible for it to be used with Mach via USB.

Tweakie.

5429

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 with tb6560 4 axis (little blue) board controller

« on: January 30, 2012, 02:43:27 AM »

Hi Clive,

Could you post a link to the hand controller (or picture) so it can be identified.

Tweakie.

5430

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone have a list of New router companies that run Mach 3?

« on: January 26, 2012, 08:12:32 AM »

If you are in the UK this is another to consider http://www.razordance.co.uk/index.htm
He is an active forum member (and nice guy) so you are guaranteed good support and after sale etc 

Tweakie.