Messages

5491

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling Mach with Powerpoint? Is this possible?

« on: May 17, 2011, 06:22:49 AM »

I presume you will be using two computers here - one for Mach and one for Powerpoint ?

Assuming this is the case then there are many possible solutions, some easy and some complex.

Probably the easiest, that comes to mind, would be to use a Powerpoint Remote Controller which can be modified to have an LPT parallel port output pin operate the slide advance function. (the electronic equivalent of pushing the button).
The Mach GCode could toggle this output pin using something like the M3 / M5 combination.


Tweakie.

5492

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling Mach with Powerpoint? Is this possible?

« on: May 17, 2011, 01:04:27 AM »

Most interesting idea.

Powerpoint can be event driven so the whole thing could be under Mach control including exposure timing Z movement etc. This could also be achieved, equally as well, using a simple PIC Microprocessor.
No doubt you have carried out preliminary experiments but I think you will be hard pressed to get enough UV from a viewing screen to actually expose UV curable resins but what do I know, I have never actually tried it. 

Please keep us posted on you progress with this great project.

Tweakie.

5493

General Mach Discussion / Re: First G code to actual part

« on: May 16, 2011, 12:52:29 PM »

Looks like you are off to a good start Craig. 
Keep posting the pictures and experiences.

Tweakie.

5494

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling Mach with Powerpoint? Is this possible?

« on: May 16, 2011, 12:50:13 PM »

How do you plan on getting the information from the power point slide into GCode to control the X - Y movement for the extruder ?

Tweakie.

5495

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: May 16, 2011, 12:29:47 PM »

cnl,

Basically it means that the core of the program (a routine called sequence one) is still running.

(use RESET to exit the program prematurely).

Tweakie.

5496

General Mach Discussion / Re: Asolutely dumbfounded guy!????

« on: May 16, 2011, 01:27:09 AM »

Bottom of this page. 

http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php

Tweakie.

5497

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

« on: May 14, 2011, 09:09:56 AM »

Thanks Spruft.
If that was a good use of the laser then this has got to be the daftest - my own personal Grain of Rice. 

Tweakie.

5498

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach from command line

« on: May 13, 2011, 11:39:14 AM »

This works OK for me.

C:/Mach3/Mach3.exe p:mach3.mill

Tweakie.

5499

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: May 13, 2011, 08:29:39 AM »

For others that follow....

The trigger pulse width (digital trigger) will vary dependant on kernel speed.

It is 40uS at a kernel speed of 25kHz
      30uS @ 35kHz
      20uS @ 45kHz
      10uS @ 100kHz

But this goes totally to pot if you select Sherline 1/2 pulse mode 

Tweakie.

5500

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Diy Laser cutter MK1

« on: May 13, 2011, 03:51:34 AM »

BB,

I don't think there is an easy way.
You need to experiment with velocity and acceleration settings in motor tuning as well as your feedrates in the GCode.
You should be able to find a point where constant velocity just rounds the corners a little but the speed reduction is not too great. Everything is a compromise.
Keep us posted on your progress (I haven't really tried cutting balsa wood yet as I always seem to buy ARTF nowadays).

Tweakie.