Messages

7971

General Mach Discussion / Re: Buying a laptop for Mach 3

« on: August 18, 2010, 03:23:45 AM »

Just curious, but why can't you use a PC in your shop environment ?

As you are aware the problem with laptops is that some work and some don't and there is no sure fire way of telling which is which. Even the same type and model may have bios / firmware revisions which make one work and the other not.

Tweakie.

7972

General Mach Discussion / Re: Power Supply for Motion Controlling

« on: August 18, 2010, 03:13:05 AM »

Just a thought,

I use axis enable / disable quite a lot but I have never had the need to actually switch it during program execution.
I took my axis enable connections to three toggle switches (mounted on the side of my control box) for manual use only - and as Hood has said the common feed to the switches could run through your estop for added 'belt and braces'.
The advantage here is that it frees up 3 of the outputs from your parallel port to be used for other stuff. It's amazing how much stuff you can add in a couple of years of use.

Tweakie.

7973

FAQs / Re: newbei: what to buy for my 1st CNC ?

« on: August 17, 2010, 02:28:57 AM »

All the new driver boards these days incorporate 'Microstepping' http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/13.htm which allows a motor with say 200 steps per revolution to achieve say 200 x 8 steps per revolution. This is really a theoretical resolution increase because 'microsteps' are not that accurate but they do make for smoother motor running and probably better performance. I have not found any benefit to go above 1/8 step (which gives me a maximum theoretical resolution of 0.00625mm) but 1/10 or 1/16 may offer something. For a first build I think I would go for the cheapest option.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

7974

FAQs / Re: newbei: what to buy for my 1st CNC ?

« on: August 16, 2010, 09:20:48 AM »

and to Tweakie:
did you hear about BAD Result of the Chinese boards and motors, because i do intend to use them???

Oh yes - there are plenty of bad reports on all Chinese stuff but I think that if you buy ebay the suppliers want to maintain a good rating and don't send you the rubbish.

Perhaps I have been lucky, perhaps you will be lucky also 

Tweakie.

7975

FAQs / Re: newbei: what to buy for my 1st CNC ?

« on: August 16, 2010, 04:39:07 AM »

I spent quite a long time reading the postings on this site before building my own machine from scratch. The first thing that I noticed is that everybody does things differently, there are no two machines exactly the same which is great. This means that there is plenty of scope to personalize your own machine to your own needs and yet still have an accurate and reliable result. Just keep collecting others ideas then apply the best to your own machine.
Incidentally I have had good results with the cheap Chinese driver boards (4 machines to date) they are cheap enough to be throw away items if anything goes wrong but for long term reliability, value and good back-up service the Gecko stuff takes some beating.
Take a look at my website, it may give you some ideas. http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/

Good fortune with your build.

Tweakie.

7976

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

« on: August 16, 2010, 01:55:48 AM »

Awesome. Really nice work.

Tweakie.

7977

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

« on: August 15, 2010, 12:48:13 PM »

Hi Sam,

I think the foot was done with Adobe Illustrator.

I really wish I could do everything in arcs. I think I asked this question before but how do I do it in arcs please ?

Tweakie.

7978

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: August 15, 2010, 12:35:54 PM »

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum.

You need to post your questions under the General Mach Discussion section as not all members check this section on a regular basis.
(the usual cause of these problems is the keyboard settings under the Regional Languages tab in Windows Control panel)

Tweakie.

7979

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Our 2440 x 1220mm CnC Router Builds

« on: August 15, 2010, 07:38:59 AM »

Excellent build Guys - you are going to have some fun with those bruisers 

Tweakie.

7980

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

« on: August 15, 2010, 04:06:18 AM »

Ooops, forgot to say thank you.

Thank you Sam. Your help and support is much appreciated.

Tweakie.