Messages

7971

General Mach Discussion / Re: Developing new macropump, faster way to retest?

« on: June 15, 2010, 02:31:07 AM »

Hi Zaaephod,

No problem. I do have another question though, is there a way to trigger a script when an input goes high?

This thread, I think, answers your question here.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,918.0.html

Tweakie.

7972

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

« on: June 14, 2010, 10:40:00 AM »

Hi Tim,

If you post your question under the General Mach Discussion topic I am sure you will get a swift response.

btw. Welcome to the forum.

Tweakie.

7973

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Butterfly Puzzle In Aluminum

« on: June 14, 2010, 02:50:36 AM »

Excellent work Dave.

Here's a Dragonfly if you are interested in making a set of these puzzles.

Tweakie.

7974

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pretty little lights or something else

« on: June 13, 2010, 09:26:55 AM »

Hi Sweep,

At least 1 relay must be reserved for the 'Beer Dispenser'. Essential for good CNC work. 

Seriously though, be careful what you switch with mechanical relays.
Anything which may cause a spark across the relay contacts such as a mains voltage inductive load (spindle) must be adequately suppressed (the type of RC device found across the switch inside mains operated power tools work well) otherwise the resulting spike may well cause a systems crash.

Tweakie.

7975

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Steps per Inch?

« on: June 13, 2010, 05:06:36 AM »

The best solution, maybe, is to work in degrees - they are constant (steps/degree) no matter what diameter/circumference cylinders you are working with.

Tweakie.

7976

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

« on: June 12, 2010, 11:55:55 AM »

Although mentioned before the mass of my X Axis is such that my machine is not really suitable for raster use with the laser. However, having just tried the 'Impact/Laser engraving' plugin http://www.machsupport.com/plugins.php I was surprised to find that it includes feed / power compensation (the slower you go the less the power and visa versa) . My results are not that stunning but with a bit of practice with 'setting up' I am sure that reasonable results can be achieved.
Initial setting up was done using paper and this is my first attempt with an off-cut piece of teak.

Tweakie.

7977

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

« on: June 11, 2010, 11:27:51 AM »

Hi Jim (the Mole),

Welcome to the forum.
Some of us had to lie about our age when we registered 

Tweakie.

7978

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Microstepper controller faiure

« on: June 11, 2010, 11:13:27 AM »

Hi Aidan,

I would not be downhearted. I think that at this stage you have to assume that it is just the psu board which has failed. Luckily it is old technology and there is nothing there that cannot be fixed / components replaced at relatively low cost. It would be wise to repair the psu and test it without the stepper drivers connected initially. Then connect and test the drivers one by one in case one of those is faulty also.
If you use a technician for this try to find one who doesn't stick screwdrivers in everywhere. 

Tweakie.

7979

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Microstepper controller faiure

« on: June 11, 2010, 07:54:03 AM »

Hi Aidan,

Not much help but I have a sneaky feeling that someone has been to that power supply before you. From the circuit diagram those diodes do not appear to belong there. To melt the solder they must have got extremely hot and I am surprised that the 8Amp fuse did not blow first. I would suggest that one of the 32Volt, 5Volt or 12Volt circuits is drawing too much current but which is difficult to speculate. Try a closer examination, possibly using an eye glass, to see if you can spot any of the other components which may have overheated. Oh and check that the 8Amp fuse is actually 8Amp.

Tweakie.

7980

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: June 11, 2010, 06:14:39 AM »

Excellent work Steve - I just love stuff machined out of the solid.

Tweakie.