Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Fresh install of Mach3, no macros

« on: December 19, 2012, 03:39:48 PM »

My control computer self destructed, I replaced it, reinstalled latest Mach3 and 2010 screenset. Brought over my old xml file and copied over the macros from 2010 screenset just like I did on the initial install. Now I can jog x,y,z but can't home, park, zero, etc.

Running a Shopbot PRT with Ascension (Gecko) controller.

Help!!!!!!!!!!! Got Christmas stuff to do.

Thanks,
Donn

2

General Mach Discussion / Milling marks????????

« on: September 02, 2010, 07:57:05 PM »

Cut some corian today and experienced something I've experienced before, but I'm afraid this customer is expecting a smoother product.

PRT96, geckos, mach3, 15K rpm, 100ipm, 1/8" ball nose w/.009 stepover.
File is their solidworks file right into Mastercam. The raster is very nice, hardly feel it with thumbnail. Straight fillets aligned parallel with raster are smooth, but all other fillets have little gouges in the edges of the letter.

So, it's gotta be in the machine or Mach settings...any ideas?

The photo is of an approx. 1" patch. The little bit of foil is just to help my camera focus.

http://www.cncworks.biz/images/omega.jpg

3

General Mach Discussion / The hurky jerkies

« on: October 22, 2008, 06:36:55 PM »

Boy! Color me confused.  I'm doing a 3d part, cutting both sides, about 24" X 24" X 3" in MDF.  Rough cut with 1/2" ball nose, several passes to get down to finish.  First side went fine, perfectly smooth movements on all three axis simultaneously.  Drawn in Solidworks, tuned for cutting in Rhino, IGES export out into Mastercam for first side.  Back into Rhino to flip the part to do the other side. (My Rhino is better than my Mastercam).  Used the same tool paths as for the first side, just reset the geometry.  Now for my problem...on the back side any time I have a direction change in either X, Y, or Z it jerks through it in small increments, then proceeds to a normal speed cut on the straight cuts.  Conservative speeds - 100ipm on the XY, 45ipm on the Z.  Shopbot PRT96 with upgraded control box running Mach3. Rackin' my brain and I can't figure what could have changed.  It acts kind of like ramping is totally missing.  Any ideas?

Donn

4

Mach Screens / Problem starting Screen4

« on: May 20, 2006, 12:04:29 PM »

When I attempt to open any .set file with Screen4, I get as far as choosing a resolution.  Immediately after I choose a resolution (any) a small box appears with a yellow triangle symbol with an exclamation point in it.  Just below that is an OK button.  No matter where I click after that, nothing happens.  Only way to close the program is through ctl-alt-del.  This is on three different computers, one of which is my Mach3 control box.  I can open the .set file with the old screen designer.  I have re-downloaded Screen4 in case of a corrupted file.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Donn

5

General Mach Discussion / Moving zero

« on: November 17, 2005, 11:58:04 AM »

Art, my small router has a 14" X 20" table.  Last night I programmed some templates to cut starting at X.5,Y0.   I refed all axis, then started the program.  It wanted to begin the cut at X.05,Y12.  I checked the visual display and it was showing a work outline of 12" X 12" instead of the 3" X 12" it should have been.  Tried it more than once.  I didn't change anything, just sent the router to zero on all axis and tried the cut again.  Worked fine that time.  Looked at the display and it was appropriate.  Erratic operation.  I have noticed several aspects of Mach3 that seem erratic on my computer.  Sometimes M4 and M5 work, sometimes they don't.  I seem to get axis zeroing wherever the router is sometimes when I go into a config box.  I really can't pin it down and I am unfamiliar enough with the software that I'm sure that in some cases I can't separate my ignorance and any mis-operation of the program.  I am sure about the specific problem I mentioned at the beginning, however.

I'm definitely excited about getting some consistency because the toolpaths I am getting are now cutting in 30 to 50% of the time my old controller did.

Donn





 

6

General Mach Discussion / Warning, warning. Newbie! - Help on new installation

« on: November 06, 2005, 03:28:35 AM »

I'm gonna have to start out with kind of a general description and question. 

My previous setup: Cnc Crafter, Microsystems DOS CNC Controller.  Two parallel ports for the signals.  I think the home/limits are normally open, in parallel.

Bought Bob Campbell's Breakout Board Plus, wired it in and began setting up Mach3.

Limit switches light up appropriate led's on breakout board like I think they should, but step/dir led's stay constantly lit with no changes.  Can't get out of estop.  At this point I can't see any signs of interaction between the breakout board or CNC and Mach3.

Looking for some ideas for what these symptoms might suggest.

Donn