Messages

5591

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC conversion to Mach3 possible?

« on: August 07, 2012, 11:13:50 AM »

Hi Robby,

That is one beautiful looking router.

IMO yes it could be converted to run GCode via Mach3 etc. but it would almost certainly involve a lot of work with electrical knowledge and skills being required.

Tweakie.

5592

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 07, 2012, 10:45:59 AM »

Hi CES,

Just a thought, but if (with everything switched off) you rotate the steppers by hand and can feel a magnetic detent (a sort of cogging) then they are probably good and it is more likely that it is the driver board which is bad. If the steppers rotate freely without any cogging that would indicate that the rotors are not magnetized and in that case they may well behave much as you have described.

Tweakie.

5593

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 06, 2012, 11:46:33 AM »

Hi CES,

Perhaps, with a multimeter check your motor connections (motors disconnected). The Red / Blu pair (A+ / A-) should show continuity and same with the Grn / Blk pair. Also check your parallel port lead to ensure that all pins are connected and that they connect pin 1 to pin 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3 and so on.

If you are using WinXP then download and run Parmon http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml this will let you determine that your PC parallel port is actually outputting signals.

Tweakie.

5594

General Mach Discussion / Re: Steppers making noise but shafts not rotating

« on: August 06, 2012, 02:07:25 AM »

Hi Chas,

I think your first guess at the  pins allocation is probably the right one.
I have made an alteration to your .xml for you to try (If this makes your motors move then you need to set up all the other parameters to suit your system). Rename the CES2.xml to Mach3Mill.xml. 

Tweakie.

5595

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Phidgets USB and Mach3, need a Post Processor

« on: August 04, 2012, 07:13:16 AM »

I was wondering if someone could help me figure out how to make a post processor for a 1062 4 motor controller manufactured by Phidgets.

Hi Rob,

It may help if you explain, in simple terms, exactly what you want to do or achieve with this so called “post-processor”.

Tweakie.

5596

FAQs / Re: I NEEEEED HELP!!.....fast

« on: August 03, 2012, 03:04:40 AM »

Just a few things ;

I am not knocking these machines as many people are successfully using them without issue but they are built to a price and can lack proper quality control so you need to check everything mechanical for tightness and alignment. Then check your cables / plugs / sockets and in particular the supplied parallel port cable for continuity. You may also want to look inside the control box (after unplugging the mains cable) to visually inspect the wire connections, solder joints etc.
Check that you are using the latest (lockdown) version of Mach3 http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php with a Desktop PC preferably having 5 Volt TTL logic output from the parallel port (rather than 3.3 Volt TTL), having a separate video card (rather than onboard graphics). It is also important to check that you are using a genuine Mach3 license.
Also check your CAD/CAM software Postprocessor is actually producing Mach3 compatible GCode.

Perhaps posting your Mach3 .xml file and a sample GCode file that you are using may throw some light on your problem.

Tweakie.

5597

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis advice (Idiot proof please)

« on: July 31, 2012, 12:08:44 PM »

 

Tweakie.

5598

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis advice (Idiot proof please)

« on: July 31, 2012, 11:28:48 AM »

There is some information on stepper motor decay mode here ;  http://www.stepperworld.com/Tutorials/pgMicrostepping.htm

Tweakie.

5599

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: July 30, 2012, 02:36:40 AM »

Hi Astroguy,

I trust you had an excellent holiday.

My apologies for delay but commercial interest has been shown in the design of this probe so I am waiting a while to see just what transpires.

Tweakie.

5600

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Tangential Knife blade holder.

« on: July 28, 2012, 06:14:37 AM »

As it’s all part of the same project I thought perhaps these pics of the bearing housing may be of interest.

Stage 1 was to centre drill the 6 holes and (1mm undersize) profile the bore on the mill.
Stage 2 was turning the OD on a lathe.
Stage 3 was manually drilling and tapping the 6 holes and finishing the bore to a bearing fit.

Tweakie.