Messages

181

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis not moving

« on: December 08, 2011, 08:49:27 AM »

Ben, I dont think that is the right file.  When I open it up, its a blank XML with nothing active and no pin assignments.

If you open mach 3 and are using the stand screen set, then look at the bottom right corner where it says "PROFILE"  this is the name of the XML file you are using.  Browse to your mach 3 folder and find a file with that same name.xml

182

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lost step on large gcode program

« on: December 06, 2011, 11:17:53 AM »

just a suggestion, but turn off the toolpath display

183

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 11:05:17 AM »

just a basic question on maintenance.  But have you cleaned the dust out of the computer?

8 out of 10 times a computer freeze in itself is due to thermal issues.  Have you checked to make sure all fans are running?  Heat sinks are not clogged?

I was working with a client that had mach3 internet, skype ect all running.  he kept telling me that mach would randomly lock up.  (smooth stepper based).

he lived in a 3rd world country so "SEEING" the machine was a no go.  After DAYS of skype chatting, I finally got ALL the information....... it would seem that when his computer screensaver came on, mach3 would freeze when he wiggled the mouse.

I try very hard to stress to people, the computer is NOT a desktop computer.  It is a cnc control.
Windows updates, screen savers, power management, internet, antivirus all make changes to the windows environment.  That is the LAST THING YOU WANT!

Now Im not going to lie, I have some computers with tons of programs installed on them.  They are my DIAGNOSTIC computers.  I would never run a production environment with them.  More along the lines of getting everything to work to build an XML file or test a file.

Good luck with yours!

184

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stall when using Goto Z's

« on: November 26, 2011, 07:43:30 PM »

dont forget to tune the motors again.  You should be able to notice a difference with the accel really low.  Jog an axis and listen to it ramp up.  Then put a dampner on and jog......

185

General Mach Discussion / Re: Power cut caused mach3 problems

« on: November 24, 2011, 04:17:01 PM »

there are backups of the xml file,  you can try going to operator and restore a backup from a few starts ago.

Ohhh and a UPS is a good thing.

186

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time engraving question

« on: November 24, 2011, 12:24:28 PM »

scaling is next to the dros at the top  If it says scale 1 then your ok.

have you checked to make sure that your machine runs the correct distance?  calibrated the steps per?
Is the native units in inches or mm`s?

When it stops running, is there an estop or any other message in the status line at the bottom?

187

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stall when using Goto Z's

« on: November 24, 2011, 12:19:54 PM »

im waiting to hear the results of the dampners

188

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit/Home Switch setup question

« on: November 22, 2011, 10:24:57 AM »

start by using the HOME switch setting, this way you can visually see them on the mach 3 screen.  Wire them up......  If the switch it wired up and the home led comes on for that axis without pressing the switch, then change the active low setting for that switch.  Led should light up when the switch is triggered.

Home and limit switches can all be on the same pin number

189

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit/Home Switch setup question

« on: November 22, 2011, 10:22:35 AM »

work with pins 11, 12, 13 and 15

190

FAQs / Re: Work offsetting difficulties using Offset screen and edge finder

« on: November 21, 2011, 05:56:43 PM »

find the edge with your edge finder,  Zero axis move Z up then move axis half the diameter of the edge finder, then rezero axis.  Set g54 after compensating for half the dia. of the edge finder