Messages

5421

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gaining steps...maybe? with Servo Drive

« on: July 26, 2011, 07:58:46 AM »

Sorry to say this but if you have had a lightning strike then any of your electronic equipment could be suspect (whether it was actually switched on at the time or not). Any active components within that equipment, logic, transistors etc could have been injured and thus not performing correctly - when components are dead it is perhaps easy to identify a fault but when they are just injured well..........
Unfortunately I think you need to look toward replacing some stuff. 

Tweakie.

5422

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis help

« on: July 26, 2011, 05:40:13 AM »

Hi Isaac,

Sorry it is me that is confusing the issue.

My soft limits have Z zero at approx half travel this makes more sense to me as it agrees with work positioning where positive Z is always work clearance.

Tweakie.

5423

LazyTurn / Re: LazyTurn cuts where I don't want it to cut

« on: July 26, 2011, 04:58:28 AM »

I learn more about toolpathing and 3d every day, so perhaps someday it will all come together in a new project..

Perhaps even containing a wizard for bevel gear blanks ? 

Tweakie.

Keep up the good work Art - you are the man.

5424

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis help

« on: July 26, 2011, 04:53:35 AM »

Hi Isaac,

I am not an expert here but it seems that it is just the way it turns out.
With Z 0.000 being the top surface of the work (individually set for each job) then the Safe Z setting within Mach is a positive number as is all the Z Clearance figures calculated by the software I use. It just seems tidy that way.

Tweakie.

5425

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to CNC, seeking sources

« on: July 26, 2011, 02:47:02 AM »

Hi Isaac,

I think we all started at a similar point to where you are right now.
The best form of learning to use Mach3, in my opinion, is "hands on" - start with a simple project and work from there, that way you only learn what you need to know and don't get bogged down with stuff you will never ever use.
As you progress, you will acquire software (each better than the one before) and because each is different that is where the major effort has to be put into the learning process.

Tweakie.

5426

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

« on: July 26, 2011, 01:53:17 AM »

Hi Steve,

I think Sam and I both agree that everything aluminium should be anodized. 

(For those who have not done it before you can purchase complete kits of chemicals and dyes together with easy to follow instructions and stunning colours and effects are possible. Obviously care is needed handling and storing the chemicals so you really need a working area secure from children, pets etc).

Tweakie.

5427

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis help

« on: July 26, 2011, 01:37:31 AM »

So as I understand it - the machine coordinates can be set for 0.00 at the most top of the Z axis and the negative number will represent the full stroke of the Z axis.

Not quite.

On my system (for example only)  Z 0.0000 is at approx. mid point of the full Z Axis travel.

Tweakie.

5428

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: subroutine

« on: July 25, 2011, 06:15:44 AM »

Looks like you have got it beaten 

Tweakie.

5429

General Mach Discussion / Re: strange self changing z axis value

« on: July 25, 2011, 04:00:56 AM »

Have you tried Zipp'ing the file to reduce the size ?

Then use the Additional Options below to post the file.

Tweakie.

5430

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slave not synchronized

« on: July 25, 2011, 02:32:40 AM »

Hi Jens,

Welcome to the forum.

Ideally all cable shields should only be connected to ground at the controller end. This avoids 'earth loops' which are notorious at collecting electrical noise and spoiling the step pulse train.

Try disconnecting your shields at the motor ends and also increasing the "Inputs Signal Debouncing/Noise rejection" setting in Config / General Config.

Tweakie.