Messages

5691

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gremlins

« on: July 20, 2012, 11:18:01 AM »

Hi Tony,

Almost anything is possible but if you made any changes / alterations to the Mach configuration last time you used the machine then some parameters require a system restart to take effect so would not be noticed at the time but would come into effect next time the machine is used.
Your configurations are stored in the xmlbackups folder so you should be able to return to an earlier configuration without too much trouble.

If you are using a PCI parallel port card may be worth checking that it has not worked loose.

Tweakie.

5692

General Mach Discussion / Re: buy new cnc router kit ((which recommend))

« on: July 19, 2012, 05:02:36 AM »

Hi elpuebla,

It would help if you tell us where in the world you are located.

If you are located in the UK then these guys sell most of what you would need http://www.worldofcnc.com/
I have dealt with them many times and have had excellent service.

Tweakie.

5693

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine set to millimeters can I use gcode with inches OK

« on: July 19, 2012, 03:54:06 AM »

Hi Keith,

Nice RC website. 

Tweakie.

5694

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraver Conversion

« on: July 19, 2012, 02:24:50 AM »

Hi Bobby,

It depends on how your GCode is produced in the first place but it sounds like you need to add additional M3 / M5 codes between each letter.
For example, standard GCode containing Z Axis movements (as would be produced with the Mach3 Write wizard) can be edited (basically using a ‘search and replace all’ function) where every +Z movement is replaced with M5 and every –Z move is replaced with M3. Although this may sound tedious, the task can be automated within most post processors.

Another example… Using your favourite software - If you were to create your text or design and save the result as a .plt or .dxf file etc, this could be loaded into LazyCam and using a modified post processor the resulting GCode would then have the M3 / M5 commands automatically inserted into the correct places.

Tweakie.

5695

General Mach Discussion / Re: Climbing Z axis

« on: July 18, 2012, 01:35:46 AM »

Hi Al,

If it is any help a clip from the Gecko 540 manual.....

"If your motors are rated below 3.5A you must use a current set resistor across PIN 1 and PIN 5. The resistor is calculated by taking the current in amps and multiplying by 1000. If your motor is rated at 2.8A per phase you will have to use a 2.8K 5% 1/4W resistor. If your motor is rated at 3.5A or above you can safely not use a current set resistor; however, your G540 will not go into current standby mode which will result in increased motor heating".

Tweakie.

5696

General Mach Discussion / Re: Climbing Z axis

« on: July 17, 2012, 12:40:30 PM »

Hi Al,

Reduce the current setting for that motor. It should be warm to the touch, during operation, but not as hot as you have described.

Tweakie.

5697

General Mach Discussion / Re: Climbing Z axis

« on: July 17, 2012, 11:18:28 AM »

Hi Al,

Just out of curiosity, how hot is your motor getting ??

Tweakie.

5698

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraver Conversion

« on: July 17, 2012, 06:58:02 AM »

Hi Bobby,

No, don’t use the 2.5D

Under Config / Ports & Pins / Spindle setup, specify an Output # for M3 (1 would be good). Then under Output Signals for Output #1 specify the port and pin you will be using to drive your pen up / down.
Then the GCode M3 / M5 will activate / deactivate this pin accordingly.

If it is any help, you can e-mail me or post here a sample copy of the code you are planning to use and I will check out the compatibility etc.

Tweakie.

5699

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

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:15:24 AM »

Something I have perhaps only briefly mentioned in earlier posts is the advantage, even the necessity, of Air assist.

When laser cutting wood, for example, carbon is produced and if this occupies the bottom of the kerf it will reduce penetration considerably. Air assist, if correctly orientated, will remove these carbon particles from the kerf as they are produced and cutting efficiency is much improved as a result. Although wood is perhaps the best example, many other materials will exhibit similar properties and the end product will almost certainly benefit from the use of air assist.

If the air is applied co-axial to the laser beam, for example – the air is fed into the side of the lens assembly and then exits through the same (small diameter) nozzle as the beam, this has the added advantage of preventing vapours or particles from the work piece being deposited onto the surface of the focus lens thus extending the life of the lens and reducing the necessity of frequent cleaning of this component. The disadvantage is that a clean, dry and oil-less air supply is required. The Koi pond aerator type pumps are pretty well suited to this task, they are available in various sizes and air flow rates and are not expensive to buy. These are relatively quiet in operation and are probably the most commonly used type for small laser machines. Shop air could also be used, providing the necessary traps / filters (similar to those used for vehicle spray work) are included in the line together with suitable pressure regulation but with a compressor there is always the potential risk of oil contamination of the lens if the filters are not changed regularly.

For cutting thin materials (veneers, gaskets and the like) a relatively low air pressure / flow rate is all that is necessary – too high a pressure can result in the cut parts or waste material being blown around on the cutting bed and causing problems. For this type of work I use a small Koi pond pump and also have an air-bleed valve in the line so that I can reduce pressure / flow rate if necessary. For the thicker materials I use an old twin cylinder Gast Roc-R pump and between these two different pumps manage to cover most eventualities.

Tweakie.

5700

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraver Conversion

« on: July 17, 2012, 01:26:16 AM »

Hi Bobby,

You can control the pen down / pen up function quite easily by using the M3 / M5 commands within your GCode.
These commands can be mapped to an available output pin and used to control your relay in exactly the same way as a spindle on / off control.

Tweakie.