Messages

6931

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone using TTFtoDXF or Vectric Cut 2-D?

« on: March 21, 2011, 02:25:59 PM »

Steve,

As far as I am aware it does not have engraving type single line fonts so, as I said earlier, you would not be able to VCarve you would only be able to profile or pocket route.

Tweakie.

6932

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone using TTFtoDXF or Vectric Cut 2-D?

« on: March 21, 2011, 01:55:14 PM »

Steve,

Cut2D has all the fonts you would need and it will output the GCode direct to Mach if required. It does not VCarve so you would only be able to profile cut or pocket route etc. It uses ramp plunge rather than leadin / leadout so it is more use for woodworking than plasma etc.
You should really try the demo version to make sure it is what you want but IMO it does what it does well and represents good value for money.

Tweakie.

6933

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zeroing with movement?

« on: March 21, 2011, 09:30:20 AM »

Hi Peter,

That would explain it.

Tweakie.

6934

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing

« on: March 21, 2011, 09:13:31 AM »

Andy,

No idea, I have never used it.

Just noticed that the MachStdMill has good probing routines - may be worth a visit.

Tweakie.

6935

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zeroing with movement?

« on: March 21, 2011, 09:05:24 AM »

Hi Peter,

I don't know which version of Mach you are using but as Hood has said there is no "Zero All" on my Mach screens either. 
There is a "Ref All Home" button but that performs a different function to zero all.

However the "Ref All Home" button contents can be changed by using the 'Operator'/'Edit Button Script' tabs then selecting the flashing 'Ref All Home' button. Delete whatever is in the box and enter DoOEMButton(1007) and then save it. Now this button will just zero the X,Y,Z and A etc DRO’s without homing or performing any other functions.

Tweakie.

6936

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing

« on: March 21, 2011, 07:35:18 AM »

Andy,

Don't know if this is what you are think of but there is a probing routine which can be enable as a plugin. You need to restart Mach after it has been enabled.

Tweakie.

6937

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zeroing with movement?

« on: March 21, 2011, 07:22:38 AM »

Peter,

I don't think there is a common format for directly transferring files back and forth between Mach and VCarve. The nearest would probably be .dxf but this would involve using LazyCam for the toolpath and because the features of VCarve are so superior to LC this would really be a waste of time.
The best bet is to stick to the native VCarve format of .crv for your work and using the VCarve post processor save your Mach toolpaths as .txt

Tweakie.

6938

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is is possible that some motherboard does not work with Mach3

« on: March 21, 2011, 06:02:45 AM »

Jeff,

All the probs. you have described could be attributed to severe electrical noise.

Have you perhaps left off an earth connection that was previously there ?
Have you added another connection which could be causing a loop ?

If it was working OK and now it isn't working then you must have done something additional to just changing the motherboard.

Have you checked the bonding of your computer earth and machine earth to your incoming supply earth ?
Have you checked the polarity of your Live / Neutral (or whatever you call the AC supply) is correct ?

(it is not unknown for power company's to rip out earth stakes or earth wires to become disconnected).

Tweakie.

This system was working great before, absolutely no flaw and then...

No help but it reminds me "If it ain't broke...."

6939

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 - G code loading problem

« on: March 21, 2011, 03:47:31 AM »

Do you get an error message in the status bar at the bottom of the screen ?

Tweakie.

6940

FAQs / Re: Breakout board

« on: March 21, 2011, 03:43:10 AM »

Hi Jan,

The CNC4PC, C10 and C11 seem to have become the industry standard with good price and good quality as well as good back-up if you ever need it.

Tweakie.