Messages

5561

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 27, 2011, 08:30:19 AM »

Hi Nigel,

Could you post details of what your PC is connected to - stepper controller / breakout board etc. ?
Is it a proprietary controller unit ?

Tweakie.

5562

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Getting up and running in Vista

« on: June 27, 2011, 08:04:17 AM »

Hi Lazybear,

I have not tried all combinations but I use and can recommend WinXP SP2 and nothing else but essentials on the PC. This is quick to start-up and runs just fine for all my needs.

Tweakie.

5563

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

« on: June 27, 2011, 06:40:30 AM »

I have said this many times but Lasers and Acrylic were just meant for each other and the acrylic’s curious ability to sublimate (change from a solid to a gas without going through the liquid state) is the icing on the cake.
There is however, another curious thing about acrylic in so much as the material acts as a waveguide to the CO2 laser’s infrared beam. Bearing in mind that the laser’s focussed beam is hour glass shape with the waist at the exact focal point, this hole was made with the focal point at the top surface of the acrylic with the laser set on 75% power for a 3 second burst. Now this is the curious thing, apart from tapering a bit at the bottom, the hole (kerf) is more or less parallel which is not what is expected.
Useless bit of information perhaps but I thought it may be of interest to some as it could explain how a relatively low power laser, such as mine, can easily cut 10mm acrylic whilst still maintaining relatively parallel sides.

Tweakie.

5564

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

« on: June 27, 2011, 01:48:19 AM »

Hi naPS,

Thanks for the information, I am glad you have it all working OK.
I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Tweakie.

5565

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Epoxy Concrete CNC Mill Design and Method

« on: June 26, 2011, 05:48:16 AM »

 

Tweakie.

5566

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Epoxy Concrete CNC Mill Design and Method

« on: June 26, 2011, 04:43:17 AM »

What did I say wrong ?   

Tweakie.

5567

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 running a Shark Pro Plus

« on: June 26, 2011, 01:47:47 AM »

Hi Don,

May be an idea to post this on the CNC Shark forum as well  http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewforum.php?f=2

Tweakie.

5568

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are people getting emails sent to them of resopnces they made in a post ?

« on: June 25, 2011, 10:45:30 AM »

What am I missing here ?

OK, just got an e-mail so I understand now.

Tweakie.

5569

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Outputs problem

« on: June 25, 2011, 05:12:58 AM »

Hi Juan

Sorry can't find the video either but the thread was rather dramatically entitled "Smooth Stepper kills man"
I remember being rather (well a lot really) un-sympathetic at the time but since then, and getting my own SS, I have realised just how easy it is for a USB connection to be accidentally disconnected. This in turn has made me fit emergency stops which disconnect power to the machine rather than just relying (as so many do) on the software polled 'e-stop' function. In my opinion you can never be too safety concious.

I will give the C10 issue more thought but curious one machine behaves OK and the other does not.

Tweakie.

5570

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Comments on smoothstepper

« on: June 24, 2011, 12:49:17 PM »

The guy from CNCDIY said he can send the source code, this will help with debugging and future modifications.

Don't want to worry you but Xu Lifeng probably put all his C++ comments in Chineese 

Tweakie.

(I keep looking at those Chinese boards on ebay I just need to raise the cash).