Messages

5531

Share Your GCode / Re: Demo Gcode

« on: May 04, 2011, 03:45:46 AM »

Great idea Andrew. 

Tweakie.

5532

General Mach Discussion / Re: Latest version of Mach3

« on: May 04, 2011, 03:31:34 AM »

Hi John,

This sounds like you have a problem with your setup rather than the version of Mach3 that you are using.
It is a tedious job but you need to check everything.
Have you changed anything recently such as rewiring or using extension cables etc etc. ?

Tweakie.

5533

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 loses Y axis location during code

« on: May 04, 2011, 03:21:30 AM »

Chad,

This appears to be a Mach / PC related problem in so far as the length of the GCode is concerned. I have now run your code twice and had errors on both occasions.
In my case the X axis Scale DRO is changing to -1.0000 of it’s own accord and the machine takes off to the other side of the table.

I have another PC which has the maximum RAM and I will try that just to see if it is a memory paging issue but I have examined the GCode itself and can find nothing that would cause this fault so I can only conclude that it is the size / length of the GCode which is upsetting either Mach3 or the PC.

Reworking your model to produce a number of smaller programs which could be executed concurrently may provide a practical solution and for now, be the best way to proceed.

Could anyone else perhaps try this CGode and see if they have problems also ?

Tweakie.

5534

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 loses Y axis location during code

« on: May 04, 2011, 02:23:25 AM »

Chad,

I am using version R3.043.022 and I just had a problem with X position when running your code.
May be me or it may be the code or it may just be the length / size of the code, in any event it deserves further investigation. I will try it again later and see just what is going on.

Tweakie.

5535

General Mach Discussion / Re: cnc for milling out a circuit board

« on: May 04, 2011, 02:17:22 AM »

Good work, I am pleased you got it sorted.
Thank you for sharing the links to other useful information.

Tweakie.

5536

General Mach Discussion / Re: halfmoon instead of circle

« on: May 03, 2011, 12:32:26 PM »

It is obviously not just a matter of replacing the cables, as you have just found.
Do you understand what I said in my earlier post about wiring loops and have you checked for and eliminated them ?
Have you tried bypassing the breakout board as suggested by Chris ?
Have you tried another PC to eliminate possible pp problems ?

Your earlier statement may perhaps be true "It's now left me with 2 possablities, it's either the bob or mach3". I think we all know it is not Mach3 so junk your BoB and replace it with a known good one, perhaps from CNC4PC http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=breakout+board&x=21&y=9
This is the direction I would take.

Tweakie.

5537

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

« on: May 03, 2011, 11:58:24 AM »

Just a thought but there should be two 7 Amp fuses (F1 & F2) on the main board - these relate to each RF board supply.

Tweakie.

5538

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

« on: May 03, 2011, 11:38:30 AM »

No problem using this thread - this forum is all about sharing knowledge (it is slightly Mach related so I think we can get away with it  )

As far as I can see, there are two issues regarding setting up.

1) Matching, where the power output of each board is the same and adjusted with R3 (see earlier posting).
2) Tuning, where the RF frequency of each board is the same and adjusted with C5.

An oscilloscope, preferably dual trace, would be ideal when adjusting the frequency to match both boards. I don't think Synrad specify the exact frequency although it is probably around 30Mhz so you will have to measure the good board and adjust the repaired board to match it.
Take care when making any adjustments (use non ferrous, insulated tools) as high power RF is dangerous stuff to mess with.

Tweakie.

5539

General Mach Discussion / Re: problem with the X ais

« on: May 03, 2011, 11:05:20 AM »

Hi Ennech,

Choose a value for microsteps that your machine runs smoothly with then, within motor tuning, set the steps per unit accordingly and adjust the velocity and acceleration to suit. Once this has been done there is no need to adjust microsteps again unless you think that you can improve machine performance over your earlier setting up.
Check all your wiring for poor connection, especially the axis you are having trouble with and also check the mechanicals such as loose coupler between stepper and leadscrew (check all grubscrews for tightness) etc. etc.
I know you have probably already done all this but most problems turn out to be something real simple that has just been overlooked.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

5540

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

« on: May 03, 2011, 10:44:38 AM »

Do you have a problem with both RF boards ?

I am no expert here but I understand that it is quite common for one RF board to fail and the laser to continue to operate on reduced power. So far I have seen two Type 48's which have had just one RF board replaced at some time or another during their lifetime.
The MRF151 is a slightly higher gain than the MRF150 but they are essentially the same component. The mica caps will be the same value on both boards.
I am uncertain about the setting up / matching but if it is adjusted at the threshold then lasing will begin at a pulse width of 3uS +/- 0.5uS at 5kHz PRF.

Tweakie.