Messages

6381

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC Large Lathe Conversion pictures

« on: December 28, 2010, 04:17:39 AM »

That is some machine.
Thanks for sharing the pictures with us Frank - please update this thread with your future progress.

Tweakie.

6382

Tangent Corner / Re: New here

« on: December 24, 2010, 12:25:01 PM »

Hi Timothy, welcome to the forum.

Tweakie.

6383

Tangent Corner / Blue Spot withdrawn commercial.

« on: December 22, 2010, 09:39:16 AM »

This may be too risque - if it is moderators please delete.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4n9OlYqhfk

Tweakie.

6384

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: December 22, 2010, 04:09:45 AM »

Stitos,

Sorry my explanation was not very good, I will try again.

But the voltage and intensity of LPT1 is modified or not?

The voltage on the selected LPT1 pin (digital trigger) is, in my case, either 0V or 5V (off / on) It is pulsed for a duration of 40uS at a varying frequency which is dependent on the image depth and the axis feedrate.
This produces the equivalent to a variable duty cycle (similar in it's effect to 'Pulse Width Modulation') but it is essentially Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF).

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

6385

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

« on: December 22, 2010, 02:35:23 AM »

Hi Josh,

The output from the plugin is a short duration pulse (40uS) it is the pulse repetition frequency that varies and this is in turn related to the feedrate. I am not sure this helps but the signal I am using to tell the laser how much power to put out is PRF.
I will be back on the project again in the new year but I am documenting the Synrad laser control here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/28.htm

Tweakie.

6386

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: December 22, 2010, 02:01:40 AM »

Andrea,

Excellent work, as always, on your completed impact engraving unit, extremely professional. (hope you sell lots  )

Tweakie.

6387

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: December 22, 2010, 01:59:29 AM »

Stitos,

It is a short duration pulse (40uS for laser) but it is the pulse repetition frequency (0 to 100%) that varies. Obviously Art would be able to provide a better description but this is the type of signal that I see.

Tweakie.

6388

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

« on: December 21, 2010, 11:15:40 AM »

Hi Josh,

As far as I know there are no manuals or guides but it is simple enough to use it is really just a matter of trial and error.

Output from the plugin is on the 'digital trigger' and this can be configured within Mach to any output pin# of your choice. The output power from the plugin is related to axis speed and it may take a while to get this just right but that's it really.

Good fortune with your project.

It would be really nice if you would start another thread with details and pictures of your project and the progress you make.

Tweakie.

6389

General Mach Discussion / Re: My mill started going backwards

« on: December 21, 2010, 07:56:02 AM »

Phase,

I agree with Hood - I think you have a problem with the driver recognition of the direction signal for your Y Axis. Perhaps a thorough check of your connections PC to BoB to Drivers etc may reveal the problem.

Tweakie.

6390

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

« on: December 21, 2010, 07:37:01 AM »

I really should not do this because I have no permission to use this image which I came across on the internet but as it is just for my own testing and not for commercial or any other purpose I hope the artist will not mind too much.

This is a piece of 10mm acrylic, the reverse of which was sprayed black. The image was then laser etched into the paint/acrylic and then sprayed white. This is the result when viewed from the front. The next stage is, possibly, to laser engrave a foreground into the front of the acrylic - could have interesting results, perhaps.

Tweakie.