Messages

6791

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Micromill convert to Mach

« on: February 26, 2011, 02:54:21 AM »

Themule,

I don't know if this helps but I converted a little Boxford mill to Mach3 operation a couple of years back and the details are here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/14.htm  (I think my additional parts cost was only around 150 GBP)

This may give you some idea of what would be involved if you tackle the Denford.

Tweakie.

6792

General Mach Discussion / Re: Correcting Step error

« on: February 26, 2011, 02:38:00 AM »

Autonow,

The machine you have was made for engraving rather than accurate machine work so it would not surprise me that you have some errors in dimension using Newlydraw.

There are a number of different options for using Mach3, calibrating your machine and then achieving accuracy but it does not come cheap.
I don't wish to recommend any particular solution because I have not tried any of them but 'slot in boards' may be machine specific ie. if your particular machine controller does not step at exactly 1000 steps per inch they will not work accurately.
Replacing the existing controller with a new 3 axis board that is Mach3 compatible is perhaps cheap but is a radical solution and you must consider that your existing setup lets you 'print' a design from Corel etc. changing to Mach3 would mean converting that design to GCode before you could produce it.

Please remember that although Mach3 can handle some basic raster operation it's main strength is in vector work.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

6793

Tangent Corner / Re: Punch or Drill

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:45:24 AM »

Russ,

I think getting a punch through is no problem but the material has to be held correctly when the punch is withdrawn, any movement here would risk a breakage. The punch could have a short head and reasonable diameter shank for strength so I would not see that as a problem but holding the material down is another story.

Tweakie.

6794

General Mach Discussion / Re: pulse frequency (motors slow and jerky)

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:31:18 AM »

I have never used a 5210 driver but you are bound to get some jerky motion as the best it can handle is half stepping (there was a huge hike in stepper control when microstepping became common practice a few years back and the difference between full step or even half step and eight step or greater is really enormous).
Having said this, you should still be able to achieve good stepper motion and if anything I would suspect your PC.
It may be worth checking that the supply to the driver  is actually a full 5 Volts.

Tweakie.

6795

Share Your GCode / Re: mac logo

« on: February 25, 2011, 02:56:19 AM »

I think that if it was rotary engraved in wood it would have to be filled with a contrasting colour to show any detail but the image may be best suited to plasma cutting perhaps ?

What problems are you having with your machine ?
Can we help at all ?

This image has been pyro engraved onto MDF.

Tweakie.

6796

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

« on: February 24, 2011, 11:46:23 AM »

Hi Russ,

They are about 50mm toe to toe.
They were cut individually (my first attempt was nested but I was unable to separate the parts without damage).

Tweakie.

6797

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Write a plugin for USB

« on: February 24, 2011, 09:34:58 AM »

I think that perhaps you two guys should work together, sharing your accumulated knowledge. Would be a welcomed project for many, once you have cracked it.

Tweakie.

6798

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

« on: February 24, 2011, 08:43:08 AM »

'An Inspiration' ?, you are being far too kind Russ - I think if a vote was taken 'pain in the butt' would probably win. 

Spring is on the way here and the laser was back in action today. I think I explained this before but Acrylic is one of the group of materials which will sublimate (turn from a solid to a gas without going through the liquid stage) consequently to avoid breathing the stuff (the laser vaporises acrylic almost instantly) I have a powerful fume extraction system. The extractor changes the workshop air in minutes so the temperature drops to outside ambient very quickly and during this cold winter, it takes it below the temperature at which I am happy to operate the laser, computer etc.

Ever since a sprog I have been interested in the work of M.C.Escher http://www.mcescher.com/ and the guys on the Phlatforum recently reminded me about Escher's Lizard, which is perhaps one of his most popular tessellation's. These have been cut from 3mm frosted acrylic.

Tweakie.

6799

Share Your GCode / Re: mac logo

« on: February 24, 2011, 03:13:38 AM »

Here you go buddy.

The vinyl cutter was still on the machine so it was cut in 'sticky back plastic' 

Tweakie.

6800

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 probe problem

« on: February 24, 2011, 02:25:50 AM »

Yes, zero the Z axis DRO before using the routine. Better still include DoOemButton (1010) at the start of your code.


Tweakie.