Messages

8661

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can "Direction" &"Steps" signals be saved and stored in physical "memory"?

« on: March 09, 2009, 06:16:55 AM »

Whilst it may well be possible to route the LPT output to 'print to file' (as is done with plotters) the code produced (say a different alphabetical letter for each pin pulse) would be massive for even a simple GCode routine.

(I did try something similar to this a while back to convert 'Master CNC' step and direction outputs to GCode before I realized the size of the files produced).

Tweakie.

8662

General Mach Discussion / Re: General Q about kernel freq "noise"

« on: March 09, 2009, 06:02:36 AM »

From the sound of what you described it could well be lost (or gained) steps which are usually caused by noise spikes occurring in the LPT connection. You could check all your earthing connections are OK and make sure you do not have any ground loops (earthed both ends) also are you using screened cables ?.

Tweakie.

8663

General Mach Discussion / Re: My CNC build

« on: March 09, 2009, 03:25:54 AM »

Nice build and brilliant documentation on the construction.

I think Fernando may be right in that your steppers are not providing enough torque to drive the axis's reliably.

(Just for reference my steppers are 5 Volt, 2 Amp per phase and they are driven at 25 Volts, 1.5 Amp per phase).

Tweakie.

8664

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie needs help

« on: March 08, 2009, 12:16:26 PM »

I would like to second Brian's comments above.
Mach represents such excellent value for money that if it is used for CNC then it should be purchased. (I regularly run code in excess of 250,000 lines splitting that into 500 line chunks would be mind numbing).

Tweakie.

8665

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My first attempt at a CNC build.

« on: March 08, 2009, 04:44:05 AM »

Looking really good.

Tweakie.

8666

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie needs help

« on: March 07, 2009, 02:55:18 AM »

Very strange that the laptop will show all the code and the desktop will not. I wonder if the laptop would actually run all the code without having the licensed version installed ?.

Tweakie.

8667

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie needs help

« on: March 06, 2009, 03:57:15 AM »

Check your Cut2D GCode for G50 (reset scale factors) and G20/G21 (units Inch/mm) and correct if necessary.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

8668

General Mach Discussion / Re: Missed steps after upgrade

« on: March 06, 2009, 03:36:29 AM »

You could also try selecting 'Sherline mode' under the 'Ports and Pins' menu.

Tweakie.

8669

General Mach Discussion / Re: What is your trade?

« on: March 03, 2009, 07:29:53 AM »

Hi Rich,

You really should not have told anyone, especially Sam, about the 'Pecker' nickname - I think you know just know what's going to happen now.

Tweakie.

btw. I'm just a boring old electronics engineer - nothing special ever happens in electronics.

8670

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My homemade cnc router

« on: March 02, 2009, 07:31:17 AM »

Brilliant work there Brian. Incidentally my friends just look at me and smile if I mention CNC - They think I am nuts, perhaps they are right.

Tweakie.

(Your workshop looks about as tidy as mine does).