Messages

6861

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 10:54:18 AM »

May be an idea to contact Dave at Hobby CNC to get the instructions on how it is measured (location of test point) and setting up the stepper drive current. I am guessing that if you can increase the motor torque it should solve your problem.

In my book you do not need lube on the screws with delrin nuts (the wood dust sticks to the lube and it just makes things worse).

Tweakie.

6862

General Mach Discussion / Re: TTL signal

« on: January 09, 2011, 07:00:02 AM »

I suggest using a buffered breakout board such as the C10 http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=45 which will accept your 3.3 Volt signals and output the required 5 Volts. There are other breakout boards with various characteristics and at various prices and they offer a neat solution to this problem.

Tweakie.

6863

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 06:48:32 AM »

The idle current reduction is just to reduce the heat in the motors (save wasted energy) because steppers require less holding current (torque) than they require driving current (torque).
Stiction occurs mainly with heavy machinery incorporating cast iron way and gibs etc but there are lubricants available these days that can reduce that effect to a bare minimum if you have sliding bearing surfaces rather than ball or roller types.

What voltage are you running the steppers at 24V ? and have you increased the drive current ?

Tweakie.

6864

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

« on: January 08, 2011, 01:19:33 PM »

For anyone considering building their own RF Laser controller / interface for use with Mach3 I have now posted my draft constructional details which may be of interest - Circuit diagram, PCB track layout, PCB component layout, PCB isolation routing GCode and the PIC programing Hex code. These can be downloaded from here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/J48.zip  It is early days yet and there is bound to be more revisions to the firmware but this link should always point to the current version.

Tweakie.

6865

FAQs / Re: E stop and Mach 3 help needed

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:06:40 PM »

Are you referring to false triggering of the EStop ?

Tweakie.

6866

General Mach Discussion / Re: Easy question about 5V output

« on: January 08, 2011, 06:46:51 AM »

Hi G,

It is really not a good idea to use the parallel port as you suggest. Either take the 5 Volts from the PC as Hood suggests or use a voltage regulator to get 5 Volts from your stepper driver supply.


Tweakie.

6867

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Rc Helicopter "BIG RC HELICOPTER"

« on: January 08, 2011, 03:55:19 AM »

Excellent work Bladerunner. Did you design the individual parts yourself ?

Hey Sam, most guys at least manage the duration of the fuel tank before making the scrap. 

Tweakie.

6868

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

« on: January 05, 2011, 01:00:23 PM »

There is an enormous amount of satisfaction when something works as anticipated and it looks like you are well on your way to completing this machine now.

Brilliant work (and video).

Tweakie.

6869

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is this the real deal or just a cracked warez product?

« on: January 04, 2011, 03:01:45 AM »

I'm surprised you cant just get his IP banned from eBay, they generally don't put up with that sort of nonsense.

Both Scott and I have reported this and similar pirated software listings to eBay on many occasions and they really could not care less.

Tweakie.

6870

General Mach Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: January 02, 2011, 07:27:41 AM »

Hola Peque,

Welcome to the forum.

Please note that there is a very active Spanish section here  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/board,51.0.html

Tweakie.