Messages

7621

Tangent Corner / Re: cnczone

« on: September 13, 2010, 07:53:41 AM »

Glad you got it sorted Ian.

Quite often good things fail as a result of their own success.

My neighbor changed to the Google Public DNS a little while back and said it was fantastic. When I saw him yesterday he said he has reverted back to his ISP's DNS because of speed issues.

Tweakie.

7622

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

« on: September 13, 2010, 03:31:32 AM »

This is the completed TTL switch PCB and the basic diagram of my controller so far.
There is more work to be done on this but at least it will allow me to experiment with different PWM control circuits and methods.

Tweakie.

7623

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

« on: September 11, 2010, 02:00:21 PM »

Another circuit board isolation routed, this part of the jigsaw is a TTL switch. It will allow the selection of one from two inputs. Its purpose is to insert the 1uS 'tickle pulse' in-between the pauses in the PWM signal controlling laser output power.

Incidentally, for those who might be wondering, it only takes me a few seconds to remove my focus lens assembly and fit the 3 phase router spindle thus converting the machine from a laser to a router (not forgetting to fit the covers to prevent the dust getting onto my mirrors) so making these (simple) isolation routed PCB's is really quick and easy.

Tweakie.

7624

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Many projects on the go...

« on: September 11, 2010, 01:45:09 PM »

Wow!! Great workshop Benny. You have been very busy. Look forward to seeing the pictures of your conversions.

Tweakie.

7625

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine pausing randomly

« on: September 11, 2010, 01:37:03 PM »

Sounds like your computer catching up with it's multi-tasking.
PC's dedicated to running Mach (and nothing else) are always best.
A PC polls things such as USB, Print que, Updates, etc etc and this can cause a hickup in the smooth running of Mach. Removing all these things usually solves the problem.

Tweakie.

7626

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: I'm in Hog Heaven

« on: September 11, 2010, 11:32:27 AM »

Brilliant. 

Tweakie.

7627

FAQs / Re: Toggling Outputs

« on: September 11, 2010, 03:57:43 AM »

Joe,

One way is to create a VB screen button and paste in the following code ;

If IsOutputActive(OUTPUT5) Then ‘Check to see if its on
DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT5) ‘Its on so turn it off
Else
ActivateSignal(OUTPUT5) ‘Its off so turn it on
End If

Obviously this is for Output #5 change for whichever output you wish to toggle.

Tweakie.

7628

General Mach Discussion / Re: switching

« on: September 10, 2010, 04:26:40 AM »

Thanks Ian but I needed -5volts (relative to the frame) because the body of the pointer is connected to + so it was easier, for me at the time, to get the required negative voltage from a wall wart.
Yes I agree that these logic level switching MOSFET's would be brilliant for a lot of applications. (more circuit board routing is on the cards) 

Tweakie.

7629

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie wanting advice on buying a cnc router

« on: September 10, 2010, 02:53:57 AM »

I think you would be wise to get some 'hands-on' experience, perhaps with a low cost smaller machine, before committing to buy any new machine.

From my experience profile cutting the edges of fiberglass circuit boards, the edge finish is not that great and tool wear is fairly high. My best results have been using a negative helix solid carbide and MDF sacrificial backing board but there have got to be better ways.

There is a lot to learn and this is why I suggest getting experience first - could save yourself a lot of cash.

Tweakie.

7630

General Mach Discussion / Re: Error after every cut?

« on: September 10, 2010, 02:38:16 AM »

Hi Dan,

Have you got any details on your inverter ?

Tweakie.