Messages

5501

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CO2 Laser Engraver/Cutter Addition to a CNC-Retrofitted Sieg X2 Mini Mill

« on: February 12, 2012, 03:00:37 AM »

Although a brilliant idea and a relatively simple installation, mounting CO2 laser tubes (metal as well as glass) vertically is not to be recommended.
This has to do with debris, which is produced during operation, falling (under gravity) onto the inner surface of the output coupler leading to a reduction in efficiency together with localised heating and early failure.
It is for this reason that the manufacturers, such as Synrad, withdraw their warranty for vertically mounted tubes.

Tweakie.

5502

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

« on: February 11, 2012, 12:34:09 PM »

You are not wrong there Sam. It's about time this thread had a few more laser users. 

Tweakie.

5503

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

« on: February 11, 2012, 04:24:24 AM »

Hi Guys,

Just a heads-up to let you know that the English translation of the DotG Manual is now available on Béni’s website here http://dotg.weebly.com/download.html
Both Amatör and I are currently working on an English translation of the Post-Processor Manual and this will be available shortly.

Tweakie.

5504

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 M3 voltage output

« on: February 11, 2012, 03:13:24 AM »

DanL,

If you are wanting to switch a laser on / off then M3 /M5 is far too slow in it's operation and you will get a 'dot' at the start and finish of every line drawn.
Check this thread for more details of the M10 / M11 commands http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,20546.0.html

Tweakie.

5505

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving stick fonts

« on: February 11, 2012, 03:08:10 AM »

The cause could well be lack of rigidity.
Check for slack in the spindle and it's collet and also do not have the tool protruding too far out of the collet. Then check the work is securely fitted to the table and there is no backlash in any of the screws.

Tweakie.

5506

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser cutting using mach3 with xy table move only

« on: February 10, 2012, 01:30:21 PM »

The laser is still working fine, 3 years down the line now but the tube was made in the USA not China so that may make a difference.

Cost is impossible to answer - I try to buy things as available, sometimes second user and shop around for the best prices.

With a laser, some wood cuts better than others but a number of suppliers now stock laserable plywood, mdf and others which should cut well but you will always have a blackened edge.
This forum has a number of members using lasers to cut wood, generally mdf, and from the pictures you can clearly see the blackened edges. http://oplaser.co.uk/opsupport/

The best place to look for motors and controllers would probably be ebay but beware that some of the stuff (not all) from China may be less than good quality.

To start with I suggest you look for parallel port connection, you can always upgrade to usb (external motion controller) at a later time.

Tweakie.

5507

FAQs / Re: open gl codes

« on: February 10, 2012, 11:58:56 AM »

The openGL error relates to your PC Graphics card.
If you can access your Graphics card (adapter) settings check openGL is enabled or possibly download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.

Tweakie.

5508

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser cutting using mach3 with xy table move only

« on: February 10, 2012, 11:51:37 AM »

The answer is yes.
It may take some time getting through because it has got quite long now but check out this thread http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12444.0.html

Tweakie.

5509

General Mach Discussion / Re: What should I see in the "Diagnostics Alt-7" window if Mach3 configured properly

« on: February 10, 2012, 06:58:59 AM »

Hi Blu,

This is bit of a grey area and that particular display should not be regarded as evidence that Mach is configured correctly.

A more reliable approach to seeing the input and output activity from your parallel port would be to run the free program Parmon which can be downloaded free of charge from here http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml

Tweakie.

5510

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool-Changer and LPT2

« on: February 10, 2012, 05:22:05 AM »

Hi Keith,

The Output # associated with the M3,M4,M7,M8 commands are set under 'Config/Ports and Pins/Spindle Setup' then the output pin numbers associated with each Output# are set under 'Output Signals'.
Within your GCode the command M3 will turn on whichever Output# you have associated (as above) and M5 will turn it off (M3,M4 are turned off with M5 and M7,M8 with M9). I have not tried it but I think the command pairs are interlocked so you cannot select M3 and M4 at the same time (it has to be one or the other) and the same may apply it the M7 and M8 but try it and see.

Tweakie.