Messages

6371

General Mach Discussion / Re: Vortech router run Mach3

« on: July 17, 2011, 01:39:30 AM »

Not sure why you keep deleting and reloading the profile - once should be enough.

turned on router hit spindle on and it starting running no axis movement, so I turned off the spindle changed the settings to gett axis running hit reset button hit
spindle button NO spindle

What settings did you change ?

Tweakie.

6372

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

« on: July 16, 2011, 11:05:26 AM »

Another update for the Impact / Laser Engraver plugin (v1.2a).

Image aspect ratio;
I have re-instated the ‘maintain aspect ratio’ function (somehow lost along the way) which is now operated in a slightly different way to which it was originally. There is a new screen button “Calculate Parameters AR” and this automatically sets the vertical (Y Axis) height based on the, user input, horizontal (X Axis) width information and the original image aspect ratio. This new function works alongside the original “Calculate Parameters” function and provides a choice of either locked or free aspect ratio.

Changing the Mach mode of motion;
If the original image detail extends to the vertical sides of the canvas it has been found best to process the engraving in the Exact Stop mode whereas if the image detail stops short of the edges there is a small but significant gain in process speed if Constant Velocity mode is used.
By default the plugin now operates in Exact Stop mode and I have added a new check box “CV mode” so that Constant Velocity can easily be used, as and when required. (Without having to open the Mach General Config page to change the settings there). On exit the plugin returns Mach to CV mode.

I have also updated the PDF file to reflect these changes.

http://tweakie.byethost10.com/Engraving.zip

Tweakie.

6373

General Mach Discussion / Re: Vortech router run Mach3

« on: July 16, 2011, 10:48:33 AM »

I have never come across a blank form for filling in settings but it sounds like a good idea. There are a couple of .xml reader programs which present the .xml data in a more understandable format, perhaps you could use one of those and print out the data. http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,9561.0.html

Sorry I forgot the speed input in my earlier post.
In the MDI screen input S15000 M3 and then return key.

Sounds like a problem with your spindle VFD what type and model is it ?

Tweakie.

6374

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just bought my first cnc, need some pointers/info please about getting started.

« on: July 16, 2011, 07:51:46 AM »

Hi Chad,

Just a couple of additional points, from looking at the instructions;

The Z Axis is conventionally set up so +Z is upwards, away from the work and -Z is downwards towards the work.
It is usual to have the long Axis as the Y Axis and the short Axis as the X Axis.
You would be wise to use Shielded cable for the limit switches and ground the shields to the metal casing at the controller end only.
The instructions indicate that your power input is  110 Vac and that the supplied spindle is 220 Vac so there is a 'step-up' transformer to create the correct voltage for the spindle.

Tweakie.

6375

General Mach Discussion / Re: Vortech router run Mach3

« on: July 16, 2011, 07:20:19 AM »

I can't find anything wrong with your .xml - it runs fine here (in simulation). The spin up / spin down delay for the spindle is set at 1 second so that will not be the problem.

NOTHING works  no XYZ axis or spindle I have the XML FILE if SOME ONE wants to check it out

Does Mach run if you load something like the roadrunner file ?
From the MDI screen does the spindle turn on if you input M3 (and press return key) ?

Tweakie.

6376

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cuts not in right position on material....

« on: July 16, 2011, 06:54:42 AM »

Hi Rikk,

Check out Sam's idea with the pen here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16012.msg108100.html#msg108100  

Tweakie.

6377

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazycam can't find mach3

« on: July 16, 2011, 01:29:21 AM »

Thanks for looking Rich.

It's no big deal really and as cpayne says - just have to live with it.

Tweakie.

6378

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just bought my first cnc, need some pointers/info please about getting started.

« on: July 15, 2011, 09:04:27 AM »

Hi Chad,

Welcome to the forum.

Not a good idea to even consider using a laptop (power saving features can screw up Mach operation) and that parallel port adapter will just not work with Mach anyway. You really need a dedicated PC with a parallel port and a separate graphics card (I bought mine, second user, for about £15 GBP) It does not need to be anything special.
The official line is;
*You must use a Desktop PC running a 32-bit version of Windows if you are using the Mach3 Parallel Port Driver. Laptops are not supported because the power saving features of the chipsets disrupt the pulse stream. Mach3 will only be supported on laptops running an external motion controller, such as one of those found on the Plugins page.*

There have been mixed reports on that particular CNC machine so you may have to do a little work to get it all working as it should but it is a good start and there are plenty here who will help any way they can.

Did you get any instructions etc relating to which pins relate to the step and direction signals from each axis ?

Tweakie.

6379

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazycam can't find mach3

« on: July 15, 2011, 07:53:41 AM »

It never posts to Mach for me either but I have always put it down to not having Mach installed on drive C.
Perhaps Rich would know if the installed drive has anything to do with it.

Tweakie.

6380

General Mach Discussion / Re: 24 volt proximity switches

« on: July 15, 2011, 04:30:19 AM »

Hi Will,

I am glad you have it sorted.

Don't forget to post some pictures of things you make once it is all 'singing and dancing'. 

Tweakie.