Messages

6941

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.

6942

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.

6943

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.

6944

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.

6945

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.

6946

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.

6947

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Butterfly Puzzle In Aluminum

« on: June 14, 2010, 02:50:36 AM »

Excellent work Dave.

Here's a Dragonfly if you are interested in making a set of these puzzles.

Tweakie.

6948

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pretty little lights or something else

« on: June 13, 2010, 09:26:55 AM »

Hi Sweep,

At least 1 relay must be reserved for the 'Beer Dispenser'. Essential for good CNC work. 

Seriously though, be careful what you switch with mechanical relays.
Anything which may cause a spark across the relay contacts such as a mains voltage inductive load (spindle) must be adequately suppressed (the type of RC device found across the switch inside mains operated power tools work well) otherwise the resulting spike may well cause a systems crash.

Tweakie.

6949

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

« on: June 13, 2010, 05:06:36 AM »

The best solution, maybe, is to work in degrees - they are constant (steps/degree) no matter what diameter/circumference cylinders you are working with.

Tweakie.

6950

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

« on: June 12, 2010, 11:55:55 AM »

Although mentioned before the mass of my X Axis is such that my machine is not really suitable for raster use with the laser. However, having just tried the 'Impact/Laser engraving' plugin http://www.machsupport.com/plugins.php I was surprised to find that it includes feed / power compensation (the slower you go the less the power and visa versa) . My results are not that stunning but with a bit of practice with 'setting up' I am sure that reasonable results can be achieved.
Initial setting up was done using paper and this is my first attempt with an off-cut piece of teak.

Tweakie.