Messages

7451

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Project for the shop.

« on: November 21, 2010, 01:57:20 AM »

That's coming on really nicely Dave, it's going to be a great machine. You are right nothing CNC ever really gets finished, it is all just work in progress.

Sam,
Betting started at evens but Dave is now the favorite.
Love the website, and the pictures - cant be that long before it's making chips.
(we all speak a different language you know because 'Gas Springs' turns up zilch on ebay UK whereas 'Gas Struts' turns up pages of them  )

Tweakie.

7452

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH NOT ROUTING RIGHT

« on: November 19, 2010, 11:06:53 AM »

Ron,

I agree with Graham on this one, from what you have described it sounds to me like you have a tight or binding lead screw or linear slide. I would suggest checking the alignment etc. to get everything running free without any tight spots.

Tweakie.

7453

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: wood carving Golden Retriever (anja)

« on: November 19, 2010, 03:32:13 AM »

Nice work Mike.

Tweakie.

7454

General Mach Discussion / Re: continuous motion and tangential cutting problem

« on: November 18, 2010, 03:27:36 AM »

I don't use tangential control but I do use a rotary A Axis. There were some issues between different versions of Mach and the function of 'Rot 360 Rollover and Ang Short Rot on G0' (General config page). Have you set these functions correctly ?
I believe this was all sorted a while back so it my be worth checking that you are using the latest lockdown version.

Tweakie.

7455

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about parallel port/PARMON

« on: November 18, 2010, 03:17:06 AM »

Currently mine shows all green (lo) except pin 12 red (high) when i first boot up MAch3.  when i start hitting the  jog keys 2,4,6 go to red and stay that way and 3,5,7 change back and forth with the jogging. all this time pin 12 stays red.  Is this what it should look like?

That's what mine looks like so I would say that your pp is OK.

Also, does anyone know if using a 6v supply that puts out 8v fry a breakout board?

8 Volts is above the max figure for most 5 Volt IC's.  How did you measure the voltage ?
If you measured the supply open circuit and got 8 Volts then there is a good chance it did no harm but if you measured 8 Volts with it actually connected to the BoB then it is better than even money that you have fried it.

Tweakie.

7456

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

« on: November 18, 2010, 02:31:42 AM »

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum.

You need to post your question under the General Discussion topic and perhaps be a little more specific about your machine to get the best forum response.
(I would be inclined to replace all the electronics with Gecko drivers, keeping your existing servo's - just a thought).

Tweakie.

7457

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unwanted Router Starts...Kinda scary!

« on: November 17, 2010, 07:43:20 AM »

As Gerry has said, you should always follow the correct procedure when starting up and shutting down your machine. Always start Mach first.
I have, in the past, seen videos posted of machine runaways (axis as well as spindle) caused by a PC reboot.
Take care.

Tweakie.

7458

General Mach Discussion / Re: jagged curve

« on: November 17, 2010, 07:33:15 AM »

That is really terrible - looks like a mouse has been at it.

I think John's right. I have tried your code and the result is smooth but I had to reduce your F200 feedrate.

Tweakie.

7459

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to control the water coolant by mach3?

« on: November 17, 2010, 02:16:05 AM »

Thosj,

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=solid+state+relay&_sacat=0&_dmpt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&_odkw=&_osacat=42899&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

Without going into too much detail, SSR's switch the load at the zero crossing point of the mains ac waveform and this eliminates the voltage spike often associated with mechanical relays. Less noise = happier machine.

Tweakie.

7460

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Very small parts, smallest possible engravings.

« on: November 17, 2010, 02:07:35 AM »

Come on Rich, there is only eight there and you know I need sixteen. 

Tweakie.