Messages

6371

General Mach Discussion / Re: Damaging Geckodrives G540

« on: August 28, 2011, 04:13:38 AM »

Another thing that can damage the drive is disconnecting a stepper whilst it is being driven so you may also want to check for bad or intermittent connection between the Gecko and your motors (plugs, solder connections etc).

Tweakie.

6372

General Mach Discussion / Re: SIGNALS REALLY MIXED UP??? Please help

« on: August 26, 2011, 05:20:34 AM »

Assuming that Hood does not find any fault with your .xml configuration...........

As Sage has said - check the voltage from your power supply with a multimeter, both stationary and with the machine axis moving. The voltage should remain constant without any significant voltage drop when any or all axis are moved. If this test is OK............

As you have changed the parallel port lead and as you have changed computers without making any difference plus all the other things you have tried and the fact that the X axis works OK suggests to me that the fault is with the Gecko G540.
I know you have had it checked (twice) but...........
For example, was the G540 tested using 3.3V logic switching ??
Would it be possible for you to try another G540 ??

Tweakie.

6373

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macros And Buttons - Strangeness Abounds....

« on: August 26, 2011, 04:44:00 AM »

Thanks Ian. 

(The big advantage of the E code was that it would switch the selected output pin concurrent with the start (or end) of axis movement).

Tweakie.

6374

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macros And Buttons - Strangeness Abounds....

« on: August 26, 2011, 02:54:03 AM »

Similarly, the output control I suspect was Art's "special" way of activating a laser WHILST motion was in "constant velocity" - an E code if I remember correctly. Yuk!

Ian,

Just because you don't want to use it does not mean it is Yuk!.

I was really happy with the operation of the combination E1P0 / E1P1 until a Mach revision screwed it all up. 

Tweakie.

6375

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 2 computer crashes or freeze........

« on: August 25, 2011, 08:11:47 AM »

Could it be that your new computer has 'on-board' graphics and this is hogging the processor time ??

Try disabling the toolpath display (diagnostics window) and see if this makes any difference.

Tweakie.

6376

General Mach Discussion / Re: cutting problems

« on: August 25, 2011, 04:21:51 AM »

Sounds like a larger vacuum pump or new suction cups would be the best solution. 

Tweakie.

6377

General Mach Discussion / Re: Macros And Buttons - Strangeness Abounds....

« on: August 25, 2011, 04:17:42 AM »

Following this with great interest guys.

Ray,

What version are you using please ??

Thanks,

Tweakie.

6378

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: August 24, 2011, 01:36:42 AM »

Nice work Steve - I reckon Boyd Coddington would have been proud to see pipes like that.

Tweakie.

6379

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Project for the shop.

« on: August 22, 2011, 04:27:35 AM »

 

Tweakie.

6380

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Project for the shop.

« on: August 21, 2011, 09:08:05 AM »

Yep, ya got me, I actually screwed up when setting up Mach 3 as I'm used to a mill and got my directions reversed. I suppose I should fix them soon so I don't get used to it being backwards.

  Suppose you could always turn the "X axis label" upside down and fit the "Y axis label" on the other side of the gantry 

Tweakie.