Messages

8281

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.

8282

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.

8283

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.

8284

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.

8285

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.

8286

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motion Controller to Mach3 Problems

« on: November 11, 2009, 09:45:27 AM »

Those drivers look ideal to use with Mach and the documentation is good, identifying the step and direction pins ( which is what you need to know ).
You should have very little trouble hooking these up directly to your LPT port ( as it looks like the opto isolators are already included in the driver ).

Tweakie.

8287

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

« on: November 11, 2009, 03:25:40 AM »

Really nice clock Art. Does it have a satisfying tick ?.

Tweakie.

8288

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motion Controller to Mach3 Problems

« on: November 11, 2009, 03:13:38 AM »

Having read through the documentation, I think Rich has summed it up perfectly.
Sorry to say this but the controller you have is quite old technology compared with the modern stuff. It appears that the best it can do is quarter step and although this is OK eighth step or better produces much smoother operation and is far more tolerant to the acceleration/deceleration of mass.
If you are just starting out on CNC I think you would be struggling with this and would be better placed to use Gecko drives (or similar) for your machine.

Tweakie.

8289

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motion Controller to Mach3 Problems

« on: November 10, 2009, 03:00:09 AM »

Could you tell us which of the manuals, shown on the website, relates to your controller. Their info is quite comprehensive but seems to lack some of the very basic details.

Tweakie

8290

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

« on: November 09, 2009, 06:28:02 AM »

Thanks Brett, so far so good.

Well made a start on the control electronics and cut the circuit board this morning. I am hooked on this 'isolation routing' method for making simple, one off, circuit boards - it is so simple and with no mess. Now to fit the components and bench test it.

Tweakie.