Messages

7971

General Mach Discussion / Re: build a real cnc

« on: November 13, 2009, 08:12:25 AM »

Now that's what I call a powerful setup Mika - I could break some serious tooling with that. 

Tweakie.

7972

General Mach Discussion / Re: feed rate behavior

« on: November 13, 2009, 06:47:49 AM »

Some further thoughts....

Try running the 'DriverTest.exe' program (found in the Mach3 folder). This will determine if your PC is struggling with running Mach.

My workshop PC gives a nearly consistent flat line which is the ideal.

Tweakie.

7973

General Mach Discussion / Re: adding stop to all z movement

« on: November 13, 2009, 06:12:38 AM »

Most controllers have an 'enable' input for each  axis (check your manual) and I have each of mine connected through a switch to ground so I can easily disable any axis.
As Jim has said Mach is unaware of this and runs as normal.

Tweakie.

7974

General Mach Discussion / Re: feed rate behavior

« on: November 13, 2009, 05:56:32 AM »

It sounds to me like a limitation of your PC.
Mach is using a lot more processor time when running the full screen as opposed to the tuning page and if your PC is doing other stuff (such as polling USB etc) glitches will be experienced.
If you have one, then trying another (perhaps faster) PC may resolve the issue. (Others have posted problems like this when a USB dongle is present which disappears as soon as the dongle is removed)

Tweakie.

7975

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Some early made XMas gifts

« on: November 12, 2009, 09:46:48 AM »

Very nice !

Tweakie.

7976

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbie on macros...M3 dwell

« on: November 12, 2009, 07:46:06 AM »

Just a suggestion but you could try using 'find and replace' in Microsoft Word or else use a GCode editor such as EditCNC.

Tweakie.

7977

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbie on macros...M3 dwell

« on: November 12, 2009, 06:42:45 AM »

Setting up the M10/M11 is a bit complex but this link should explain that.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12653.0.html

Tweakie.

7978

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motion Controller to Mach3 Problems

« on: November 12, 2009, 06:15:10 AM »

It will work - I have every confidence in your ability. 

Tweakie.

7979

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbie on macros...M3 dwell

« on: November 12, 2009, 02:43:40 AM »

Hi Arturo,

The M3 pause is no problem when used with a spindle motor but, as you have found, it is undesirable with lasers. Others have been here before and have had success by using the undocumented M10/M11 combination, which is much faster but requires careful programing to get it just right. This link refers :-  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,6629.msg43375.html#msg43375
I have found that the M7/M9 combination work for me (this is almost 10xfaster than M3/M5) and can be easily configured using a GCode editor to modify the standard GCode program.

Tweakie.

7980

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motion Controller to Mach3 Problems

« on: November 11, 2009, 11:58:52 AM »

The final diagram on page 6 looks like the way to go.
You will need 6 output pins from the breakout board (step and direction for each of 3 axis).
My LPT port handles 20 mA to ground OK but LPT ports may not all be the same so observe a little caution here (current limiting resistors if necessary).

Tweakie.