Messages

691

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Requesting help on emergency Mach 3 install

« on: November 20, 2019, 01:43:00 AM »

Can the mach 3 be run on the Gerber Sabre, as is, without any new hardware installations?

Hi ValleySigns,

Unfortunately NO.

Just looking at your attached diagrams your machine control is serial and although some 25 way Cannon sub D connectors are used that is just coincidental - they cannot be used to connect your machine to a PC's LPT Parallel Port.

If you were going to make any change from your existing Gerber system then forget Mach3 and go to Mach4. You would definitely need a new servo orientated controller and many other new parts to make the conversion.

Tweakie.

692

Tangent Corner / Re: It's a Dog thing.

« on: November 19, 2019, 08:04:38 AM »

 

693

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switching from Mach3 to Mach4

« on: November 18, 2019, 03:01:40 AM »

On one of your posting a while back you said something to the effect “laser cutting and laser raster engraving should be dedication difference machines”

Hi Chuck,

I don't recall posting that (after all I use the same machine for both purposes) but the machine set-up for each process may be a lot different and having a dedicated machine for each task would be nice.

Tweakie.

694

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switching from Mach3 to Mach4

« on: November 18, 2019, 01:16:38 AM »

Fast forward 18 months——, any new thoughts on switching from Mach3 to Mach4?

A very good question Chuck 

When transitioning from Mach3 to Mach4 we would be aware that they are two very different products (apples and oranges come to mind) but we would constantly be making comparisons between the two for ease of use, results produced, etc.

With this in mind I have found one major consideration…

The required motion controller should be chosen carefully and dependant on what your machine is to be used for.

One particular motion controller may be better at Plasma, another at Turn, another at Laser, etc. and in my case, having a multi-purpose machine, I now have five different motion controllers – each excel at a particular task.

Tweakie.

695

General Mach Discussion / Re: Licence

« on: November 16, 2019, 03:34:13 AM »

Hi James,

Your general Mach3 settings are stored in a <your profile>.xml file.

When things go wrong with Mach3 there is generally no need to re-install everything because you will almost certainly have your last known good settings stored as a file in your xmlbackups folder. Restoring can be done manually by renaming and copying/pasting the appropriate .xml file but within Mach3 the Operator / Restore Settings tabs can do it for you (with onscreen instructions).

Hope this helps you at some time in the future.

Tweakie.

696

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to inspect a MacOS executable file (Mach-O)?

« on: November 16, 2019, 02:32:49 AM »

Hi Isabella85,

Where are you finding the MacOS binary file to which you refer ?

Tweakie.

697

General Mach Discussion / Re: Licence

« on: November 16, 2019, 01:45:41 AM »

Hi James,

I am pleased you have it sorted.

(I have quite a few different software licenses and I keep secure copies in a folder which is duplicated and synced in a number of different places within my network - and in an emergency I still can't find the license I need  )

Tweakie.

698

General Mach Discussion / Re: Licence

« on: November 15, 2019, 03:49:18 AM »

Can i save the licence on a usb and keep it in case i need it again

Yes you can.

but i delete my email after a month

Perhaps something you may wish to reconsider ?

Tweakie.

699

General Mach Discussion / Re: Licence

« on: November 15, 2019, 03:21:19 AM »

Have you checked your email inbox and spam folder ?

Tweakie.

700

General Mach Discussion / Re: How can I control RC ESC from mach3, any help please?

« on: November 15, 2019, 03:07:18 AM »

Is anybody know what this module does? Does it convert PWM to voltage 0 ~ 10V?

No, not really, The sequence of events are as follows;

1) Check the input pin for a PWM signal.

2) If no signal is present then send a 1mS pulse to the output pin (this enables the GCode M3 / M5 to operate correctly and also stops the spindle in the event that E-Stop is activated).

3) If a signal is present then measure the duty cycle (pulse width). This is best done with 16 bit precision (mainly because we are measuring in uS and outputting in mS – a factor difference of 1000).

4) Scale the duty cycle’s pulse width (0 to 100%) - again working 16 bits into a proportionate 1 to 2mS output pulse (the actual, maximum, duty cycle pulse width in uS will depend on the Mach3 PWM base frequency chosen).

5) Send the output pulse to the output pin.

6) All this is then repeated forever within a timed 20mS loop.

Tweakie.