Messages

6181

General Mach Discussion / Re: Loosing steps when milling slowly

« on: February 27, 2011, 07:55:26 AM »

Really, really strange.

There is obviously something wrong with your Mach3 setup or machine somewhere because this just does not make any sense. 200 step at 1/8 with 5mm pitch screws = 320 steps / mm.

Wish I knew the answer.

Tweakie.

6182

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question regarding dsp ,control boards

« on: February 27, 2011, 07:42:47 AM »

R,

Most, if not all, of the budget priced Chinese lasers operate by 'printing' from a software such as CorelDraw using a proprietary 'print driver'. Their operation is generally more in the Raster mode than in the Vector mode.
Although Mach3 has limited Raster capability it's real strength is with Vector operation and the implementation of GCode toolpaths.

Having said that I am having great success using Mach3 in Raster mode and the results with my laser are equal, if not better than those of many Chinese machines.

Tweakie.

6183

General Mach Discussion / Re: Loosing steps when milling slowly

« on: February 27, 2011, 05:52:07 AM »

Surely that would be 1/16 step then (assuming the screw is directly connected to the stepper without reduction) - very strange. Are they perhaps 400 step per rev steppers ?

Tweakie.

6184

General Mach Discussion / Re: Loosing steps when milling slowly

« on: February 27, 2011, 02:17:30 AM »

Just a thought but are you running your steppers 'full step' or are you using microstepping ?

Tweakie.

6185

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Micromill convert to Mach

« on: February 26, 2011, 06:04:06 AM »

This thread is probably relevant http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,9947.0.html

Tweakie.

6186

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Micromill convert to Mach

« on: February 26, 2011, 02:54:21 AM »

Themule,

I don't know if this helps but I converted a little Boxford mill to Mach3 operation a couple of years back and the details are here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/14.htm  (I think my additional parts cost was only around 150 GBP)

This may give you some idea of what would be involved if you tackle the Denford.

Tweakie.

6187

General Mach Discussion / Re: Correcting Step error

« on: February 26, 2011, 02:38:00 AM »

Autonow,

The machine you have was made for engraving rather than accurate machine work so it would not surprise me that you have some errors in dimension using Newlydraw.

There are a number of different options for using Mach3, calibrating your machine and then achieving accuracy but it does not come cheap.
I don't wish to recommend any particular solution because I have not tried any of them but 'slot in boards' may be machine specific ie. if your particular machine controller does not step at exactly 1000 steps per inch they will not work accurately.
Replacing the existing controller with a new 3 axis board that is Mach3 compatible is perhaps cheap but is a radical solution and you must consider that your existing setup lets you 'print' a design from Corel etc. changing to Mach3 would mean converting that design to GCode before you could produce it.

Please remember that although Mach3 can handle some basic raster operation it's main strength is in vector work.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

6188

Tangent Corner / Re: Punch or Drill

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:45:24 AM »

Russ,

I think getting a punch through is no problem but the material has to be held correctly when the punch is withdrawn, any movement here would risk a breakage. The punch could have a short head and reasonable diameter shank for strength so I would not see that as a problem but holding the material down is another story.

Tweakie.

6189

General Mach Discussion / Re: pulse frequency (motors slow and jerky)

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:31:18 AM »

I have never used a 5210 driver but you are bound to get some jerky motion as the best it can handle is half stepping (there was a huge hike in stepper control when microstepping became common practice a few years back and the difference between full step or even half step and eight step or greater is really enormous).
Having said this, you should still be able to achieve good stepper motion and if anything I would suspect your PC.
It may be worth checking that the supply to the driver  is actually a full 5 Volts.

Tweakie.

6190

Share Your GCode / Re: mac logo

« on: February 25, 2011, 02:56:19 AM »

I think that if it was rotary engraved in wood it would have to be filled with a contrasting colour to show any detail but the image may be best suited to plasma cutting perhaps ?

What problems are you having with your machine ?
Can we help at all ?

This image has been pyro engraved onto MDF.

Tweakie.