Messages

6181

General Mach Discussion / Re: External Digital Readout as Absolute Reference when using Stepper Motors

« on: December 10, 2010, 11:13:50 AM »

Anythings possible but the answer is really no because Mach is not intended to be used as a closed loop system. If a stepper error occurs the job could be well be spoiled so the system should be constructed so there are no errors to correct.

Tweakie.

6182

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach e-stops on Program Load

« on: December 09, 2010, 12:50:47 PM »

Interested in the outcome of this one because I had a similar problem with very long programs (in excess of 340,000 lines of code).

Tweakie.

6183

General Mach Discussion / Re: g-code stops

« on: December 09, 2010, 12:45:15 PM »

Check that the VFD is connected to ground (earth) properly and also that it is only connected to ground in one place to avoid a ground loop. (Connecting to ground at the power inlet and again to the machine frame will cause a ground loop if the machine frame is also connected to ground - does this make sense ?)
VFD's usually wire up right first time but when it goes wrong they are a real bugger. (having a VHF music radio on in the shop helps detect if any RF noise is present and needs shielding).

Tweakie.

6184

Tangent Corner / Re: Chi-nee Ballscrews

« on: December 09, 2010, 11:51:54 AM »

I have not seen these before, the price is excellent (perhaps too good to be true ?) but the Chinese seem to be the masters of the "sloppy thread". I am not complaining, far from it, but everything I have which has come from China has excess clearance in the thread department so can they really make precision ballscrews ?
Very interested in this thread.

Tweakie.

6185

General Mach Discussion / Re: g-code stops

« on: December 09, 2010, 07:46:33 AM »

Sounds like it could be caused by an electrical noise issue.

Relays can produce current surge and voltage spikes also the contacts can arc producing electrical noise.
VFD's if not properly connected and the cabling shielded produce wide band noise from DC right up into the RF spectrum.

Are you using a relay or VFD for your spindle control ?

Tweakie.

6186

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Help

« on: December 09, 2010, 07:37:34 AM »

Rusty,

I agree with Hood, swap your axis so that your rotary becomes Axis A (4). This way you can easily zero the rotary and check it's position or view the program limits etc.

Tweakie.

6187

General Mach Discussion / Re: Definifn addresses of a parallel port

« on: December 09, 2010, 04:28:46 AM »

Klaus is very modest about his excellent programs. 

Here is the link to MachProfile and other useful programs  http://www.kd-dietz.de/index_eng.htm

Tweakie.

6188

Tangent Corner / Re: The first of the Winter Snow.

« on: December 09, 2010, 02:25:25 AM »

Hope that doesn't have any subliminal meaning (like the WD40 perhaps) this is a family forum. 

Tweakie.

6189

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gertrude Gets Some!

« on: December 09, 2010, 02:18:24 AM »

That is just excellent Chris.

I really look forward to seeing your postings, don't leave it so long next time 

Tweakie.

6190

General Mach Discussion / Re: Driver test question.............

« on: December 07, 2010, 12:18:22 PM »

Do you have any other suggestions for why the driver test doesn't run then ?

Tweakie.