Messages

5731

General Mach Discussion / Re: testing mach3, cannot run two axis at the same time

« on: April 01, 2011, 02:26:00 AM »

Could be not enough current - this is set and current limited by the driver.
The motors will have a maximum current rating and this must never be exceeded. The voltage rating can be exceeded and it is not unusual for this to be between 5 and 20 times the motor's rated voltage.

What type and rating of power supply are you using ?
What is the rating of your steppers (0.4A 12V ?)

Tweakie.

5732

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 support for FSE ReninaEngrave card

« on: March 31, 2011, 12:07:45 PM »

Hi Brian,

The Smooth Stepper is an ideal solution for using a laptop with Mach3, I have used an SS for a year or so now and together with many others, I can only say how good it is.

The FSE plugin card is another story and I have not yet herd any reports of it working well with Mach3 despite the FSE claims and as their forum is so highly moderated,  it is impossible to obtain a truly objective opinion on its operation or ease of use from any others there.
If the price of the card is reasonable then I think you should go for it but beware that the makers claims may well exceed its true performance.

Tweakie.

5733

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Driver test. Results for 3 computers, which is best? (PICS)

« on: March 31, 2011, 08:41:20 AM »

Hood, that work is just sooo neat    (why does all my stuff look like a rat's nest ?)

Tweakie.

5734

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

« on: March 30, 2011, 01:53:10 PM »

Well this is SK's design which is a lot more subtle with the chapter ring around the outside. Now for some hands (or paws) 

Tweakie.

5735

*****VIDEOS***** / Re: Rocking out pinewood derby car with Mach3!

« on: March 30, 2011, 07:10:35 AM »

Brilliant work and very nice video - much more interesting than custom mixers. 

Tweakie.

5736

Share Your GCode / Re: 12" Vinyl Record Lathe Cutting Stylus code

« on: March 30, 2011, 03:48:23 AM »

Now here's a thought.....

If you used circular interpolation in your GCode us mortals wouldn't need the turntable   

Tweakie.

5737

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

« on: March 30, 2011, 03:38:21 AM »

Hi Sam,

I took your advice and had a long talk with SK.
Glad I did really because he says that my whole idea is rubbish because the Aztecs never did subtract from 5 in the same way that the Romans did in their number system, he says that from the evidence available they only used addition.
This throws off my whole design and concept, so I think it’s back to the drawing board before I even get around to the hands. SK says he is going to help me to get the numerals right next time (he is still thinking about the hands).

Hi JungleStreetRecords,

My laser operates at 10600nm and at this wavelength color filters don't actually exist (this is well outside the spectrum of colored light). Even the focussing optics have to be made from special materials such as GaAs or ZnSe otherwise the transmission losses would be far too high and cooling of the optics would start to become a major problem. Fiber optics don't work well in this range although there are some made from Zinc Selenide but these are well beyond my price range. Shame really because if it wasn’t for the Chlorine gas I bet I could cut a mean track in a record blank. 


Tweakie.

5738

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors will not spin

« on: March 30, 2011, 02:28:28 AM »

Glad to hear you have got it all working OK now 

Tweakie.

5739

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-Axis Sticking

« on: March 30, 2011, 02:26:27 AM »

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. 

Tweakie.

5740

General Mach Discussion / Re: help please

« on: March 30, 2011, 02:25:01 AM »

OK, assuming you are getting to the last line of your GCode (M30) when it is run then my opinion is that the problem is within your controller rather than Mach or your setup. The M30 should terminate any pulses from Mach so what could be driving your Y axis ?

Tweakie.