Messages

5421

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Only part of Gcode active [Help]

« on: November 28, 2012, 06:15:46 AM »

Hi Freak174,

Welcome to the forum.

You can purchase the Mach3 licence from here http://www.machsupport.com/purchase.php

Tweakie.

5422

FAQs / Re: Mach 3 stopped working

« on: November 27, 2012, 10:36:07 AM »

Hi Larry,

Changing the 'Dir Low Active' state (in Config / Ports and Pins /  Motor Outputs) for your X axis will solve the left / right direction issue but why this should suddenly have happened is a mystery to me.

As for size - check that your Scale DRO's read 1.0000 and perhaps also check that your Steps Per Unit are still correct (Config / Motor Tuning).

There have been some instances lately with either corrupt .xml's or Mach reverting to using an earlier .xml but this again is a mystery to me.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Tweakie.

5423

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Addition!!!

« on: November 27, 2012, 06:14:22 AM »

Hi Jamie,

If it's any help, I have already done just as John has mentioned and fitted an additional PCI Parallel Port card to my machine PC.
This is used for my forth axis (and all the other silly stuff I do without affecting my existing setup, machine wiring etc).

Tweakie.

5424

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Isolation Routing PCB's and Local System Rotate.

« on: November 26, 2012, 08:31:21 AM »

This is the 10mm diameter webcam and home made mounting bracket ready to be fitted to my Z axis.

Tweakie.

5425

Share Your GCode / Re: Ford emblem G code

« on: November 26, 2012, 06:58:49 AM »

Hi Scuba,

Brands of the World perhaps http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/search/logo/ford  should enable you to obtain the vector image you need. Other software would be better but LazyCam (free with Mach3) should enable you to create the GCode toolpath.

Tweakie.

5426

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with setup & controler

« on: November 25, 2012, 05:19:00 AM »

Hood has beaten me to it    but as it was already compiled here is my take on the situation...


Whilst others have succeeded with using the TB6560 it is really not the best controller for the job. Just browsing this forum will show you the many problems some have experienced with this device and most of them have now moved on to something better, which works.

OK, it costs a bit more but bearing in mind the quality and support / backup that you will get I suggest that you consider something like the Gecko G540 http://www.geckodrive.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=540
Gecko really do have a wealth of experience and the information available on their website is second to none.

Having said that and returning to your TB6560 problem – yes, your steppers should lock when power is applied so the problem may be with your Mach3 setup. Check that your X,Y and Z axis are enabled (Config / Ports and Pins / Motor Outputs) and that you have the correct port #1 address enabled – typically 0x378 (Port Setup and Axis Selection).

You need to be a bit wary because there are many, lack of knowledge / experience, errors on this website but there is some useful information regarding the TB6560 here http://whatisacnc.com/driver-board/tb6560/

In addition, you will also need to verify that the Mach3 license you purchased is valid license@machsupport.com as there have been a lot of fake licenses sold with the TB6560 boards and (from personal evaluation) they just do not work properly.

Tweakie.

5427

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Isolation Routing PCB's and Local System Rotate.

« on: November 25, 2012, 02:09:57 AM »

Hi John,

This is the webcam (endoscope) that I finally used. It is from China and available via ebay for < £20 UKP.

Tweakie.

5428

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Isolation Routing PCB's and Local System Rotate.

« on: November 24, 2012, 12:13:35 PM »

WELL - fitting a USB webcam to use with the on-screen video window could be considered akin to playing the lottery – you pay your money and take your chance. I had to smile when one member commented that ‘plug and play’ should be renamed ‘plug and pray’.

As the saying goes ‘third time lucky’. After two unsuccessful attempts the third ‘plug and play’ webcam works perfectly on both my desk PC and machine PC with either Brian’s or Klaus’s video window. So now, still using the same 3 buttons, Button A opens the video window and prompts for the Datum to be located, Button B prompts for the Reference to be located and Button C closes the video window, performs the calculation, sets the Local System Rotated and moves the spindle / tool to the Datum position.

This has proved much easier and quicker than using the cross-hair pointer so I now have some more work to make this a permanent addition to my machine.

(Incidentally the cross-hairs in the video window were in the process of refresh at the instant the first snapshot was taken which is the reason they are not actually showing in the pic.).

Tweakie.

5429

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pulse width help

« on: November 24, 2012, 09:01:49 AM »

I had my cnc running perfectly for about a month except it had a glitch that would randomly reverse anyone of the axis every now and then.

As Hood has said this could be a license issue. Best to check that your license is valid before spending too much time looking for a cure. The email address is towards the bottom of this page http://www.machsupport.com/purchase.php

Tweakie.

5430

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: New to Mach 3 - Can you help me set it up

« on: November 23, 2012, 12:27:46 PM »

Hi and welcome to the forum.

My best advice is that you read the Mach manuals http://www.machsupport.com/documentation.php then ask specific questions on the points that you are uncertain about.

It is, in my opinion, better that you learn the setup for yourself - then if anything goes 'pear shaped' you will have an understanding of the problem.

Tweakie.