Messages

7141

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3 Parallel Port cards??

« on: April 13, 2011, 02:00:22 AM »

No reason why you cant just take them all to +5 Volts.

There are some occasions when I wish to disable just one axis.

When working on long jobs (longer than the working table) I produce the artwork in one piece and with a pause in the GCode at the appropriate point I disable the Y axis, release the work (which remains in the same place) whilst the table is moved by hand to the new location. The work is re-clamped, the axis enabled and the job restarted. I have tried various other methods and this system works best for me when making long signs.

When I use the laser head, the Z axis carries the focus lens assembly and once set remains the same for the entire job. I use standard engraving GCode and therefore any Z commands will alter the focus so disabling just the Z axis prevents this.

There are other occasions but it is one of those things that once you have it then you find the uses for it.  

Tweakie.

7142

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help wiring a Keiling spindle and VFD

« on: April 12, 2011, 08:37:40 AM »

Update.

Looking at my VFD instructions - you probably don't need the potentiometer as frequency is variable from the front panel - with luck yours should be the same.

Tweakie.

7143

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help wiring a Keiling spindle and VFD

« on: April 12, 2011, 08:30:50 AM »

But I am not sure it's any good without the VFD setup details because the default setting may enable too much current through your spindle so keep a close eye on the return water temp.

In practice the minimum connection is the 220V input, the spindle(U.V,W), the potentiometer between AM and ACM, and relay or switch between FOR and DCM

Tweakie.

7144

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help wiring a Keiling spindle and VFD

« on: April 12, 2011, 08:17:19 AM »

Here are the connection details but as Hood has said you need the manual for firmware setting the max motor current etc.etc.
Surely no one would supply a VFD without the connection and setting-up details would they ?.

Tweakie.

7145

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shopbot with Mach3 Proxmity switch hookup

« on: April 12, 2011, 07:56:45 AM »

John,

I would suggest you contact Shopbot regarding the proximity switch wiring for the type of switch you have fitted as some may require a pullup or bias resistor connected to operate correctly with the Mach input. If they don't know, or are uninterested, then if you have the make and type number for your prox. switch I should be able to identify the wiring requirements.

If you change the kernal speed to reduce your pulsing frequency you will also need to re-tune your stepper motors, unless you are happy doing this (not difficult really) then my advice is if it ain't broke.....

Tweakie.

7146

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3 Parallel Port cards??

« on: April 12, 2011, 07:33:57 AM »

If its any help I have taken all enable lines through toggle switches (mounted on the controller case) to +5 volts  and this allows an axis to be disconnected if required for any purpose.

Tweakie.

7147

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help wiring a Keiling spindle and VFD

« on: April 12, 2011, 07:20:55 AM »

The type 2200 is a 220 Volt, 400Hz, 3phase spindle which, as you have discovered does indeed require the VFD to operate.
If you wish to control the spindle from Mach you will also need the C11 breakout board as this can provide the 0 to 10 Volts analog speed signal for the VFD which is derived from the Mach PWM spindle output and also the on / off switch control for the VFD (unfortunately the C10 is a bit lacking in this department).

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

7148

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Impact engraving plugin

« on: April 12, 2011, 03:58:37 AM »

Obal,

Please excuse me if I am wrong but I think it is you that has the older software version.
The aspect ratio box was removed from the latest version although it was still defined as version 2.00.075 (bit confusing perhaps)

Tweakie.

7149

General Mach Discussion / Re: System grounding questions

« on: April 12, 2011, 03:14:25 AM »

Ideally the Earth and Ground should be treated as two separate circuits.
For obvious reasons all exposed metal parts must be bonded to Earth and this circuit must be regularly tested under health and safety regulations in industry so it makes sense to regularly test the circuit in home shop installations as well.
The Ground (GND) is the signal common return and as there are many signals then the associated GND's should ideally be connected a at one common point at the controller end only. It is important to avoid GND loops and if you are using the PC parallel port then the LPT screen should only be connected at the PC end and the internal wires 18-20 connected via the breakout board to the common GND point. It may also be prudent to use screened / shielded cable for all external wiring runs just to avoid the possibility of future problems.
In the real world this is not always possible but Earth loops and Ground loops are often the source of unwanted electrical noise so avoid them if you can.

Tweakie.

7150

General Mach Discussion / Re: how to view front,side,back on toolpath display with function key ?

« on: April 12, 2011, 02:49:05 AM »

There is no one replay ?

there is no way to view this ?

As Terry says - hold the left mouse button and drag the image.

If you want to get into programming the function keys with VB and using the screen designer then fine but it is hardly worth all that effort as the mouse system works well.

Tweakie.