Messages

6571

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 problem with new cnc

« on: May 29, 2011, 12:16:42 PM »

I am a long way from being a computer expert in fact a long way from being an expert on anything but I think the onboard graphics makes the processor multi task with a different priority to what Mach requires so everything gets screwed up.
Here in the UK we have Car Boot Sales every weekend and second user PCI graphics cards cost peanuts so it is cheap to try and if it doesn't work well nothing lost.
A plug-in graphics card  usually works as long as the onboard graphics can be disabled in the BIOS and it can be as old as you like (as long as it matches the slot voltage) because it only has to provide an 800 x 600 display as minimum - surely you must be able to borrow one to try ?

Tweakie.

6572

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 problem with new cnc

« on: May 29, 2011, 11:23:55 AM »

Sorry Buddy, looks like you need a different PC.
Alternately, you could consider using an external motion controller such as Smooth Stepper et al.

Tweakie.

6573

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 problem with new cnc

« on: May 29, 2011, 07:17:48 AM »

Jimmy,

Under motor tuning there are no graphic or DRO updates so your computer doesn't get overloaded. When you return to the main screen your computer cannot keep up, the Mach pulsing suffers and it all goes pear shaped.
Assuming you are running XP then you could try the optimisation routines here http://www.machsupport.com/downloads/XP_Optimization.txt
Failing that it is another PC, without onboard graphics, that is required.  

Tweakie.

Addition: ( Using the optimisation and disabling the ACPI enabled my old Dell Inspiron to work OK )

6574

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probe wiring

« on: May 29, 2011, 02:12:39 AM »

Can you post (or email me) the probing script you are using within Mach.

Tweakie.

6575

Tangent Corner / Re: Ooops !

« on: May 28, 2011, 11:36:38 AM »

Hi Guys,

Some excellent suggestions, thank you. 

I should explain that this is a cheap China import laser machine that I purchased in that condition. There is (was) a fault with the HT unit and I suspect that the Service Engineer tried to remove the board without disconnecting the tube's HT cable first (wonder if he still has his job ?).

Tweakie.

6576

General Mach Discussion / Re: Blue smoke

« on: May 28, 2011, 11:27:54 AM »

Paw,

There is a good chance you connected the stepper wires (or one of them) incorrectly. The bipolar steppers you are using have two separate windings which can be checked with a multimeter (or other continuity checker).
One pair of wires is A - A# and the other pair is B - B# now it doesn't matter which way round the A's or the B's go but you must not get them mixed. (I have learn't that with stuff from China you cannot rely on the colour coding of wires being correct you have to check them with a meter just to be sure).

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

6577

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probe wiring

« on: May 28, 2011, 05:38:11 AM »

Sorry, I did not appreciate that Ajax were unresponsive.

Yes you could connect the probe to a DC310B input and thus via fiber optics but, if it were me, I would connect direct to input 481 on the MPU11.

Tweakie.

6578

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probe wiring

« on: May 28, 2011, 04:53:52 AM »

I think you should contact Ajax directly. They provide all the details of connecting probes and the use of their motion controller with Mach3 so should be able to give you all the information that you need first hand.
(the fiber optics do not form part of the probe connection).

Tweakie.

6579

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

« on: May 28, 2011, 04:33:50 AM »

Whilst still on the Impact / Laser plugin - I recently carried out some basic measurements of the trigger pulse duration and timings so I thought I would share this information together with some other basic stuff which I have put into a PDF document.
I hope this will be of interest to other users of the plugin and perhaps of assistance to new users when setting up their systems for the first time.
Although I expect to update it with additional information soon, the first issue is attached.

Tweakie.

6580

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool plate/setter wiring.

« on: May 28, 2011, 04:25:01 AM »

Great news Craig. Pleased you have it working. (the LED is usually off and only comes on when the plate is touched)

Tweakie.