Messages

5521

General Mach Discussion / Re: Another Tangential Knife problem.

« on: September 07, 2012, 11:12:18 AM »

Thanks Terry, leads are something I had not considered - I will see how it goes.

(changing the +Z moves to a G01 make no difference - the A rotation is still blended with the +Z move) 

Tweakie.

5522

General Mach Discussion / Another Tangential Knife problem.

« on: September 07, 2012, 06:20:31 AM »

When cutting a rectangle, the knife is rotated to the direction of the first cut (A Axis), lowered into the work (Z Axis) and at the end of the line the knife is retracted from the work, rotated to the direction of the next cut, lowered into the work and so on. Nothing wrong here and everything works just as it should.

When cutting many circles it is an entirely different situation. After completing the first circle the knife rotates to the start direction of the next circle as a blended move with the Z Axis retracting the knife (the knife rotates within the work whilst being withdrawn).

I can overcome this problem by creating a tool path where each circle starts and finishes in exactly the same direction (and not optimizing the tool path for shortest route) but is there an easier solution please ??

Tweakie.

5523

FAQs / Re: Mach3 cannot see input ports

« on: September 06, 2012, 07:24:24 AM »

I am pleased that you have it sorted. 

Tweakie.

5524

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser build

« on: September 05, 2012, 03:00:39 PM »

 

Tweakie.

5525

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser build

« on: September 05, 2012, 01:25:36 PM »

The machine settings are stored within the 'Mach3Mill.xml' file (or whatever profile you are using .xml). The screen specific stuff is stored in '1024.set' (or whatever screen you are using) and the Macros folder contains any macro's you use. Also don't forget to save your license file (Mach1Lic.dat). That is the basic stuff but be cautious because you may have more Tormach specific files stored elsewhere so don't delete anything or make any changes you cannot reverse. (This is really the reason I suggested the additional HD you could install the latest version of Mach3, copy over the files mentioned above, then make any changes you choose).

Thanks for the complements relating to the laser project, I am hopeful more will follow.
I believe that one day everybody with a CNC will have a laser attached (probably fibre rather than CO2) but it is a bit slow catching on at the moment.  

Tweakie.

5526

General Mach Discussion / Re: Optical Switch Not Recognized - How to Remedy?

« on: September 05, 2012, 03:49:42 AM »

Hi Gary,

My guess would be that the output from your 5 Volt conversion module is floating (with respect to GND) and that you need to provide a ground connection at your optical sensor.

Tweakie.

5527

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser build

« on: September 05, 2012, 01:28:32 AM »

A bit of lateral thinking here....

How about installing a second hard drive, copying the existing drive to the new drive, then you could boot to the new drive and change screens, settings etc without affecting or changing any settings within your existing setup. ??

Tweakie.

5528

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3 probs

« on: September 04, 2012, 01:34:40 AM »

Hi Roman,

First thing to check is that you have the Direction pin configured correctly in Config / Ports and Pins / Motor Outputs.

Tweakie.

5529

General Mach Discussion / Re: Laser build

« on: September 04, 2012, 01:31:39 AM »

Hi Btboone,

On the Mach3 General Config page you can change your rotary axis setup from angular to linear by un-checking the appropriate box. In addition, by setting Rotation Diameter on the Settings page you can then adjust your Steps Per Unit in Motor Tuning to suit.

Tweakie.

5530

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM signal not showing correctly

« on: September 04, 2012, 01:22:08 AM »

Hi Andre,

I am pleased that you are on your way. Don't forget to keep us posted with your progress. 

Tweakie.