Messages

6931

Tangent Corner / Re: 5C Collet Fixture/Closer

« on: June 15, 2010, 01:49:54 PM »

Go on Russ, buy one - we all want to know the answer now. 

Tweakie.

6932

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Steps per Inch?

« on: June 15, 2010, 12:31:20 PM »

Hi wh,

Just a thought, and with a bit of lateral thinking on this topic for operating a rotary axis in linear mode.
If you were to calculate the steps per one revolution of a rotary axis and divide the answer by pi and then enter the result into the ‘steps per’ for the A axis - it would then have the correct linear movement on the surface of a 1 inch diameter cylinder (fitted into the A axis).
Using Screen4 (or Screen Designer) add the A Axis Scale DRO (OEM62) and LED (OEM44) which for some reason have been removed.
Now for any diameter of work fitted in the A axis, perform the calculation 1/diameter and enter the result into the A Axis DRO.
Then the linear movement on the surface of the work will be correct for that diameter. 

I have not actually tried this but I will do.

Tweakie.

6933

General Mach Discussion / Re: running stepper motor with printer data pcb board

« on: June 15, 2010, 12:18:24 PM »

Hi Asad,

I made an error in the earlier post where I should have said :-

(I am assuming it can be operated in Bipolar mode because there are 6 wires - but if two wires are common then ?).

Sorry for any confusion. 

Tweakie.

6934

General Mach Discussion / Re: running stepper motor with printer data pcb board

« on: June 15, 2010, 08:44:01 AM »

Sorry to say this but I am really not sure you have any future with this project.

The sequence of switching for the coils is different between Bipolar and Unipolar motors and I am still not sure what type you have there (I am assuming Bipolar because there are 6 wires - but if two wires are common then ?).

Perhaps if you describe what you are trying to achieve with this project I may be able to suggest an alternative approach.

Tweakie.

6935

General Mach Discussion / Re: Digital Print profiling with Mach software

« on: June 15, 2010, 07:38:23 AM »

Hi Dave,

It probably doesn't help very much but if you could work out how they have done this and repeat it (without the University funding) then it could provide an answer to your requirement. 

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBxPYhOnKv0&feature=player_embedded

Tweakie.

6936

FAQs / Re: Wiring Limit, Home and E-Stop Switches

« on: June 15, 2010, 03:05:20 AM »

I think that the usual system, at least it is what I have done, is to wire both X Axis switches in series - both Y Axis switches in series and both Z Axis switches in series etc.(for normally closed contact switches). Each pair of switches then has its own input to the parallel port.

For homing - Mach homes in a set direction, and order of axis, until it finds the switch which will act as both 'home' and 'limit' for that axis. Mach then homes the next axis the same way etc etc.

The 5Volt needs to come from your 4 axis interface or breakout board, not from the parallel port.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

6937

General Mach Discussion / Re: running stepper motor with printer data pcb board

« on: June 15, 2010, 02:50:04 AM »

Hi Asad,

Do you know if your stepper motor is Bipolar or Unipolar ? (how many connection wires does it have).

Tweakie.

6938

General Mach Discussion / Re: Digital Print profiling with Mach software

« on: June 15, 2010, 02:42:51 AM »

Hi Dave,

A very interesting and ambitious project you are describing there.

Is the shrinkage rate a known constant for all the materials you will use or will it vary from one project to the next ?.

Tweakie.

6939

General Mach Discussion / Re: Developing new macropump, faster way to retest?

« on: June 15, 2010, 02:31:07 AM »

Hi Zaaephod,

No problem. I do have another question though, is there a way to trigger a script when an input goes high?

This thread, I think, answers your question here.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,918.0.html

Tweakie.

6940

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

« on: June 14, 2010, 10:40:00 AM »

Hi Tim,

If you post your question under the General Mach Discussion topic I am sure you will get a swift response.

btw. Welcome to the forum.

Tweakie.