Messages

7961

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

« on: June 23, 2010, 05:06:09 AM »

Thank you guys, you are most kind.

This project still has a way to run so, with your permission, I will continue to bore you with pictures of my progress - The adventures of Tweakie.

The next part of the project is to add some form of temperature control / monitoring and provide for an automatic shut down in the event of tube over temperature. I am currently only running the laser for relatively short periods of time and at low power settings whilst monitoring the temp rise with a handheld surface contact probe. I perhaps should admit that the forced air radiator I am using is a bit overkill and so far I have not yet recorded a temp rise above ambient. However an automatic system will enable longer operational periods of the tube without causing any anxiety and it just has to be done.

Tweakie.

7962

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enternal E-STOP Leds

« on: June 22, 2010, 12:52:14 PM »

Hi Johnv,

As Ian said Mach deactivates all outputs in reset. So when Mach is running your output #2 is used to keep the LEDs off - when Mach is in reset the output #2 is deactivated and the LEDs come on. Simple.

Tweakie.

7963

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

« on: June 22, 2010, 11:51:14 AM »

Hey Guys,

More stuff - latest picture, taken this week.
Shows the new laser air assist pump and spindle VFD, stowage for spindle motor (when not in use) and change to laser current display - the rotary axis is only fitted occasionally and can't really be classed as 'bolted on'.

               

You guys must be getting fed up with this thread by now - I must think of something new 

Tweakie.

7964

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enternal E-STOP Leds

« on: June 22, 2010, 09:46:07 AM »

Hi Johnv,

I think PeterF is correct you need to do a little reading but to get you started......

I haven't actually tried this but the following code placed in the macropump should do it.

If GetOemLED(800)=True      'reads the reset LED
ActivateSignal(OUTPUT1)      'turns on output #1 (or whatever output you choose)
Else
DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT1)    'turns off output #1
EndIf

Tweakie.

7965

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Mech mate build underway

« on: June 22, 2010, 09:02:36 AM »

Hi David,

Welcome to the forum.
We would really like to see pictures of your machines and the things you make with them.

Tweakie.

7966

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 & C10 breakout spindle control?

« on: June 22, 2010, 04:05:48 AM »

Hi D,

Unfortunately the C10 does not have the on board variable speed control (it's the model C11 that has this). However this does not stop you varying the spindle speed using a seperate PWM / 0 - 10 Volt board for controllingl your VFD.

Tweakie.

7967

General Mach Discussion / Re: Enternal E-STOP Leds

« on: June 22, 2010, 02:28:09 AM »

Hi Johnv,

As far as I am aware the LED is OEM code 800 but this is for a virtual panel. If you are talking about a physical control panel then you will need to assign an output to drive the led and then I think the best bet is to use two 'flashing LEDs'.

Tweakie.

7968

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setting Inch or Metric -- GCode only????

« on: June 22, 2010, 02:17:22 AM »

No matter how hard you try you just can't please everybody 

Tweakie.

7969

General Mach Discussion / Re: auto Z setter adjusting

« on: June 22, 2010, 02:06:22 AM »

Hi George,

Thank you for the detailed explanation for the position of the filter caps - I understand now.
(you should have known better and used shielded wire for your switches  )

I spent over an hour browsing the wonderful pictures of your excellent Zenith build. I think if I had spent 3 years on it I could never have parted with N73EX.

Best regards,

Tweakie.

7970

General Mach Discussion / Re: Nothing is moving...

« on: June 21, 2010, 01:53:00 PM »

That's great, glad you got it all working.

Tweakie.