Messages

111

General Mach Discussion / Re: Creating G-Code

« on: January 12, 2016, 05:49:23 AM »

I guess the first question is, what are you wanting to do with the machine?
ReplicatorG is more of a 3D printer slicer, but yes it can be used to spit out 3 axis gcode from what I have seen. 

I would highly recommend that you look for actual cad/cam package.

If your looking at just 2D then cut2d from Vectric that Tweakie suggested is a good place to start.

use the googles, there are other softwares out there that are cheap/free/limited, but if your learning, then you will want something with a good solid user base.  Artcam express also comes to mind.

112

General Mach Discussion / Re: over my head in 4th axis

« on: January 12, 2016, 05:39:28 AM »

the quick and dirty version.
A axis is angular, as said above.
microstepping no more then 10
Zero A axis
use MDI to rotate 360 degrees  (G0 a360)
if it goes past 360 degrees then your steps per in motor tuning is to high. 
if it rotates less then 360 degrees then steps per is to low.
Change your steps per for the A axis, click the "SAVE AXIS SETTINGS BUTTON"
back in mach, zero the A axis work cords.  they will change.
repeat steps.

I will also mention that i have had an A axis velocity set really high once.  The axis would run smooth at 3000 mm a min.  All other axis were set to 600mm a min.  When running a 3d toolpath I would get missed/lost steps.  Tracked it down to be that the difference in the A axis velocity.  So tune the A axis close to the other 3 

113

General Mach Discussion / Re: soft limits not working

« on: October 14, 2015, 07:45:58 AM »

the little longer answer is that the softlimits has to know where it is starting from.  Home switches would automate this.  It gives you a machine coordinates zero.  The soft limits work from this point.  But you could always jog your machine to the top of Z and a X & Y to an extreme.  Zero the machine coords. there.  You would have to do this everytime.

114

General Mach Discussion / Re: HOTKEY TO OUTPUT RELAY

« on: October 14, 2015, 07:42:09 AM »

Looks like alt C is tied to the coolant so, could you not setup your output to the coolant and use that?

115

General Mach Discussion / Re: machine not cutting as simulation.

« on: October 14, 2015, 07:36:40 AM »

Ronnie,  the box that asks how far you want to move is the native units.  so if your setup in inches it will be an inches move.  So if you told it you wanted to move 5 inches or 1.  It will use the motor tuning config to move what it "knows to be that value.  make sure you Zero that axis first.   Then you measure how far the machine actually moved and put that in the next box that pops up.  It will calculate the steps per.  So being able to accurately measure the movement is a plus.

116

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with tool changes and errors in z heights

« on: October 14, 2015, 07:33:42 AM »

your correct, regen toolpath only updates the toolpath to the current tool position.  say you load your gcode and your machine is way off in left field.  sending the machine to X 0 y 0 and then regen the toolpath will show the toolpath from that location, instead of a small toolpath with a long line to where the tool was way off in left field.

117

General Mach Discussion / Re: machine not cutting as simulation.

« on: October 13, 2015, 11:01:03 AM »

I dont use the standard mach 3 screenset, so I had forgotten about this until yesterday, but go into the settings screen, very bottom left is AXIS CALIBRATION  "Set Steps per unit" button.  Follow the instructions.  Make sure you can accurately measure movements.

118

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Setting Mach 3 withe chinese bob

« on: October 12, 2015, 07:49:03 PM »

Tweakie,  it has been years since I have used the default screen set....... I totally forgot about that setting.  Wow.... relearned something today.  I always have done it manually.  I guess I am a control freak.

119

General Mach Discussion / Re: Missing steps on direction change

« on: October 12, 2015, 07:39:16 PM »

David,  just for grins and giggles, enable sherline mode. 
When the first G540`s came out, I had one that did something close to what you are describing.  But it was very predominate when cutting a 3d model toolpath in wax.  by enabling sherline mode, It increased the pulse width.  ther breakout board in the website picture looks like a standard breakout board I used to mess with alot a few years ago. 

120

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Setting Mach 3 withe chinese bob

« on: October 12, 2015, 11:04:20 AM »

if your stepper drives have dipswitches, re flip them.  I have found that sometimes they do not rock all the way and make the connection.

your Y and Z seem a bit low.  Ok alot low.  I am assuming that you are in metric native units.   What pitch are your lead screws?  1.9 degree steppers?  and micro stepping of the stepper drives?