Messages

8401

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.

8402

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.

8403

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.

8404

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.

8405

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.

8406

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.

8407

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.

8408

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.

8409

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.

8410

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.