Messages

6911

General Mach Discussion / Re: how can i make 3d parts????

« on: December 13, 2010, 06:50:59 AM »

Worth a try.

http://www.bobcad.com/promotions/bobcad_free_demo.php?kid=G1DI16&gclid=CM-or-GU6aUCFUkhfAodhxqutA

Tweakie.

6912

General Mach Discussion / Re: laser engraving/cutting help

« on: December 13, 2010, 06:06:44 AM »

There is one problem area with diode lasers in so far as they prefer a ‘soft start’ if they are to enjoy their expected lifespan but this would not be practical with CNC usage as it would make everything far too slow. The attached circuit could be used to interface your PC and Mach3 to the diode laser and you could perhaps, initially, use the M3 M5 combination configured to the output pin of your choice to actually turn it on and off but as mentioned earlier you must expect a reduced diode life when using this method.
A reasonable alternative solution would be to use a shutter system for the switching and leave the diode on for the duration of the program. There are some more details of the shutter I have used and diode lasers in general here http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/18.htm .

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

6913

General Mach Discussion / Re: What drawing program is this? (Electrical schematics drawing)

« on: December 12, 2010, 08:49:01 AM »

ltalionis,

No idea at all what was used to make that really excellent diagram but something similar could be made using Microsoft Powerpoint.

Tweakie.

6914

General Mach Discussion / Re: how can i make 3d parts????

« on: December 12, 2010, 08:42:17 AM »

cncboricua,

You can pay all sorts of money for different 2.5D software packages but until you decide exactly what you require then perhaps the free version of CamBam is worth looking at http://www.cambam.info/downloads/ . If you like it then perhaps the full version may be worth purchasing of alternatively both Gerry an I have in the past used DeskProto and MeshCam, both of which, I think, still have time limited trial versions to try. There are some more details in this thread http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13766.0.html.

Tweakie.
 

6915

General Mach Discussion / Re: laser engraving/cutting help

« on: December 12, 2010, 08:26:09 AM »

studysession,

What type / model laser do you wish to control ?

Tweakie.

6916

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3d Keyfobs

« on: December 10, 2010, 11:19:51 AM »

Another one to add to the list is  Mach1filter.exe (download link is on this forum somewhere).

Tweakie.

6917

General Mach Discussion / Re: External Digital Readout as Absolute Reference when using Stepper Motors

« on: December 10, 2010, 11:13:50 AM »

Anythings possible but the answer is really no because Mach is not intended to be used as a closed loop system. If a stepper error occurs the job could be well be spoiled so the system should be constructed so there are no errors to correct.

Tweakie.

6918

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach e-stops on Program Load

« on: December 09, 2010, 12:50:47 PM »

Interested in the outcome of this one because I had a similar problem with very long programs (in excess of 340,000 lines of code).

Tweakie.

6919

General Mach Discussion / Re: g-code stops

« on: December 09, 2010, 12:45:15 PM »

Check that the VFD is connected to ground (earth) properly and also that it is only connected to ground in one place to avoid a ground loop. (Connecting to ground at the power inlet and again to the machine frame will cause a ground loop if the machine frame is also connected to ground - does this make sense ?)
VFD's usually wire up right first time but when it goes wrong they are a real bugger. (having a VHF music radio on in the shop helps detect if any RF noise is present and needs shielding).

Tweakie.

6920

Tangent Corner / Re: Chi-nee Ballscrews

« on: December 09, 2010, 11:51:54 AM »

I have not seen these before, the price is excellent (perhaps too good to be true ?) but the Chinese seem to be the masters of the "sloppy thread". I am not complaining, far from it, but everything I have which has come from China has excess clearance in the thread department so can they really make precision ballscrews ?
Very interested in this thread.

Tweakie.