Messages

5861

FAQs / Re: Problem with setting up mach3

« on: January 05, 2012, 05:43:26 PM »

At least you are making progress.
What do you mean by first and second numbers ??
From the  Resource I/O Range it is the first number in the range that is used.

Tweakie.

5862

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Impact Engraving.

« on: January 05, 2012, 06:43:45 AM »

This was created in acrylic from GCode produced with 'DotG' using an impact magnet. The image size is 105mm square and comprises of over 90,000 dots from over 270,000 lines of GCode and took just 2 ½ hours to complete at just over 9 dots per second. (for those that are old enough to remember - it makes a sound not unlike the ASR33 Teletype    ).
Like all things, practice and experience is required to get the perfect final result and it is evident here that my original image had just a little too much brightness and as a result some detail has been lost. Still practice makes perfect or at least I hope it does. 

Whilst Mach already has the Impact / Laser plugin, which relies on the LPT parallel port and the Mach engine for it’s timing DotG creates a ‘stand alone’ GCode and can therefore be used with USB and external motion controllers. Each has it’s own strong and weak points and I don’t think there is any direct comparison but it is always nice to have alternatives.

Tweakie.

5863

FAQs / Re: Problem with setting up mach3

« on: January 04, 2012, 11:41:44 AM »

In the Mach folder copy and save your .xml file for the profile you are using (mine is called ‘Mach3Mill.xml’) this has all your settings. Also copy and save ‘Mach1Lic.dat’ this is your license file. If you are using a special screen or have screen buttons programmed with your own macros then also save the .set file (mine is called ‘1024.set’).

These files should always be saved as a backup just in case.

Download the latest lockdown version from the appropriate page here and run setup over the top of the existing installation - see if that improves things and if necessary copy and paste the files saved above into your new Mach folder.

I think I have covered everything (long while since I did this).

Tweakie.

5864

FAQs / Re: Problem with setting up mach3

« on: January 04, 2012, 02:50:14 AM »

The numbered arrow keys behave differently if Num Lock is selected but other than that only certain keys are affected by the keyboard regional settings features within Windows.

Both port address you have given load and stay OK here - Check in device manager for device address conflicts.

Tweakie.

5865

FAQs / Re: Problem with setting up mach3

« on: January 03, 2012, 11:46:30 AM »

What are your actual port addresses ??
What addresses does Mach revert to ??

Tweakie.

5866

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Custom Wood Carvings

« on: January 02, 2012, 12:55:51 PM »

Very nice work indeed.

Tweakie.

5867

Tangent Corner / Re: There is Nothing like being prepared.

« on: January 02, 2012, 06:27:51 AM »

Now you need to grow some more arms with hands to use all of that. 

Interesting that there seems to be two of each pistol so the guy is at least ambidextrous. 

Tweakie.

5868

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using Oscilloscope with Mach3

« on: January 02, 2012, 03:48:28 AM »

Thanks for the responses.

Don't need another "pretty" boat anchor around.

 

Sounds like a wise choice to me. 

Tweakie.

5869

Tangent Corner / There is Nothing like being prepared.

« on: January 01, 2012, 11:19:20 AM »

Perhaps a bigger cupboard is required later this year ??

Tweakie.

5870

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using Oscilloscope with Mach3

« on: January 01, 2012, 03:09:38 AM »

Hi Vogavt,

I understand your thinking but it can be much more involved than just connecting up the probes.

The O'Scope screen displays a graph with (usually) Voltage on the Y Axis and Time on the X Axis but interpretation or understanding of that graph can  take a lot of experience. To many the display is very pretty but totally meaningless.

I don't wish to appear disrespectful but I suggest you start at the beginning and research o'scope techniques which could be a vast subject and certainly beyond the scope of this forum.
This may be a good place to start http://www.doctronics.co.uk/scope.htm but there are many other tutorials available.

Tweakie.