Messages

7721

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pause for DRO Update

« on: May 14, 2010, 05:48:02 AM »

This subject has been discussed in great detail, both here and on the zone, with regard to tool position setting and probing.

My understanding of this is basically that the timing of a running macro and Mach itself are asynchronous therefore it is quite possible for a  macro to write to a DRO then read from that same DRO an incorrect value unless some form of synchronization is introduced. The command 'While isMoving()....Wend'  does just this and effectively causes the macro to wait for a 'handshake' from Mach to tell it that the last task has been completed and that it is now safe to proceed.

Tweakie.

7722

FAQs / Re: Step and Dir signals

« on: May 14, 2010, 05:28:57 AM »

Hi Nishant,

The step and direction signals can be configured either active high or active low within Mach3.
Your driver board will prefer either the 'high to low transition' for a step pulse (active low) or a 'low to high transition' but either way trial and error will tell if the driver board instructions do not. The direction bit set active low will produce stepper rotation in one direction and active high rotation in the opposite direction and this is set to match the machine axis etc.

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

7723

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

« on: May 13, 2010, 01:29:32 AM »

Thanks Guys, you have given me new ideas to try.

Tweakie.

7724

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

« on: May 12, 2010, 11:17:51 AM »

Interesting but not quite what I had intended. This Calcium Carbonate is tough stuff and I was intending to go right through but despite two passes, no luck. Increasing the power setting was a total failure resulting in a burned mess.

Back to the drawing board with this one – I am sure it is feasible anyone have any ideas ?.

Thanks to Switcher for the DXF http://mydxf.blogspot.com/

Tweakie.

7725

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 10:52:05 AM »

 

Not sure I fully understand but the laser lens assembly is lifted out and the spindle motor fitted in it's place when I need it. The black tube surrounding the spindle motor is it's air cooling jacket (there is a fan in there, at the top).

Tweakie.

7726

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 08:19:46 AM »

Hi Furkan,

If you haven't tried it already then I think 'Isolation Routing' is the way to go for PCB's - no more acid, no more mess.

   http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/circuit5.wmv

Tweakie.

7727

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 07:25:52 AM »

Just out of interest, I have recently read a suggestion that is basically as follows:-

Coat the copper side of the PCB material with a very thin layer of photocopy toner. Use the laser to draw the intended circuit and thereby melt/fuse the toner onto the copper surface (low power setting). Remove excess toner and acid etch the PCB. Remove toner with wire wool and tin PCB etc.

Anybody like to try this and see if it works ?.

Tweakie.

7728

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

« on: May 08, 2010, 03:39:46 AM »

Good suggestion about the glass - thank you.

Tweakie.

7729

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

« on: May 07, 2010, 05:12:46 AM »

Hi Jammerm,

I think that Photo Etching is basically a 'raster process' and the purpose built raster laser machines have lightweight X and Y axis to allow high speeds and accelerations thus allowing the laser beam to possibly travel many miles and complete the job within a reasonable period of time.

Because my machine is basically a wood router and the mass of both the X & Y axis is quite high I think I will just have to content myself with vector use at present.  

Having tried a few different materials now I can confirm that Granite, Glass and Slate all engrave well (although I am expecting the glass to shatter anytime soon as I must have put incredible internal stresses into the material).

Tweakie.

7730

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

« on: May 02, 2010, 02:34:10 AM »

Hi Jake,

Post your problem, with as much detail as possible, under the 'General Mach Discussion' topic and I am certain that suggestions to resolve the issue will be made pretty quickly. There are a great many members here only too willing to help you.

Tweakie.