Messages

6401

General Mach Discussion / Re: how can i make 3d parts????

« on: December 12, 2010, 08:42:17 AM »

cncboricua,

You can pay all sorts of money for different 2.5D software packages but until you decide exactly what you require then perhaps the free version of CamBam is worth looking at http://www.cambam.info/downloads/ . If you like it then perhaps the full version may be worth purchasing of alternatively both Gerry an I have in the past used DeskProto and MeshCam, both of which, I think, still have time limited trial versions to try. There are some more details in this thread http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13766.0.html.

Tweakie.
 

6402

General Mach Discussion / Re: laser engraving/cutting help

« on: December 12, 2010, 08:26:09 AM »

studysession,

What type / model laser do you wish to control ?

Tweakie.

6403

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3d Keyfobs

« on: December 10, 2010, 11:19:51 AM »

Another one to add to the list is  Mach1filter.exe (download link is on this forum somewhere).

Tweakie.

6404

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.

6405

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.

6406

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.

6407

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.

6408

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.

6409

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.

6410

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.