Messages

6571

General Mach Discussion / Re: OEM code for Output 2 Toggle

« on: July 24, 2010, 12:44:40 PM »

Evan,

What I want is to put a button on my screen to turn on and off my output 2

I seem to have missed something here - surely Hood has already given you the information you need to do just that.

Add a VB button to your screen then within Mach paste in Hood's VB code and away you go - Output #2  toggles  ON / OFF.

Tweakie.

6572

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / 3D Printing.

« on: July 24, 2010, 12:26:37 PM »

In some ways this is a continuation of ‘The Laser Project’ but because there are many ways in which 3D Printing can be achieved I thought it perhaps deserves its own thread. The method I have decided to initially follow is that of Selective Laser Sintering. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Selective_laser_melting_system_schematic.jpg

My initial model is only 2D (about 3mm thick) and was produced in just two layers using a simple stacking frame – this has, however, given me sufficient confidence to start building a larger frame or jig with a moving Z Axis base that will allow models up to 60mm deep to be produced on my existing machine without any additional modification. If this is successful, who knows?
My initial inspiration for trying this came from the Candy Fab project and more details of their progress can be found here http://candyfab.org/

Although I accept that the quality of my initial model is not very good I think that by using fusible materials which have a finer grain structures things can only get better.

I would appreciate your comments / suggestions relating to this or 3D printing in general.

Tweakie.

6573

General Mach Discussion / Re: OEM code for Output 2 Toggle

« on: July 24, 2010, 06:48:16 AM »

Evan,

If you wish to toggle Output #2 from within a GCode program :-

The command M50 doesn't seem to get used anymore so by placing the macro Hood has given (minus the Hood line  ) in the macro 'M50.m1s' (delete or rem the stuff that's in there already) then by placing M50 in the GCode this will toggle output #2.

Tweakie.

6574

FAQs / Re: Par port2

« on: July 23, 2010, 11:38:34 AM »

Just a thought but the logic levels of your second parallel card may not be 0V to 5V and you may be saturating the chips on the card by applying a full 5V. Try putting a 1K series resistor (to limit the 5Volt current) in line with your switches and see if it makes any difference.

Tweakie.

6575

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: cnc winding machine

« on: July 22, 2010, 07:27:57 AM »

Hi Petecul,

Nice machine and neat looking conversion you have done.

I think that Hood has built a winding machine or two and I am sure he will know exactly how to set your machine for optimum use.

Tweakie.

6576

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Relay control for Router

« on: July 22, 2010, 06:32:35 AM »

Indycraft,

You may also want to read this posting / thread for some more info  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,15369.msg103352.html#msg103352

Tweakie.

6577

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tangential knife design

« on: July 21, 2010, 11:55:04 AM »

This video was posted here a little while back. What I learn't from it was using a wire spring to hold the work down (hadn't thought of that before).

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

Good fortune with your project.

Tweakie.

6578

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gertrude Gets Some!

« on: July 21, 2010, 02:11:38 AM »

I second that Chris.

Sam got me out of trouble once (the CBI) and he is a real expert.

Tweakie.

6579

General Mach Discussion / Re: Geckp 540 and Solid State Relay

« on: July 21, 2010, 02:04:01 AM »

Crash,

Just one point of note:-
If you take a power tool apart you will usually notice an R/C or inductive suppression device fitted across the on/off switch. This is there to reduce the arc (which occurs during switching) and provides a fair degree radio frequency suppression. If you encounter any problems, with computer glitches etc, using your relay board then would be a good idea to fit one of these suppression devices across the contacts of each relay.

(SSR’s, on the other hand, make use of the 'zero crossing point' of the a/c waveform for their on/off switching points, this reduces the spike / noise / arc to an absolute minimum and no other forms of suppression are usually necessary).

Tweakie.

6580

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

« on: July 20, 2010, 07:35:44 AM »

You certainly know how to boost a guy's confidence Brian.  

Tweakie.