Messages

161

General Mach Discussion / Re: Should I scrap Vista for XP?

« on: May 28, 2008, 04:37:19 PM »

Colin,

I was reading your other post and am still unclear about your printer port, is this a card slot port or some USB adaptor. I'll keep watching your other post for updates as it will be easier to follow the whole flow of things there rathr than starting a new thread.

Kristin

162

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motor Tuning - Mach3

« on: May 26, 2008, 06:14:32 PM »

A few troubleshooting tips, have you tried all the motors on the output that runs smooth? Being careful to power down before swapping motors/wires. What type of controler are you using? That would go a long way in someone knowing the possible adjustments of the controler that may be affecting things and eliminate settings in Mach as a source of trouble.

The more specific information you can provide the easier it will be to get an answer and solution.

Kristin

163

General Mach Discussion / Re: mitherin paid off

« on: May 20, 2008, 03:36:49 AM »

Well this has been interesting, first I had to look up "mitherin" but I did get the crapper cover, somewhere I have a book titled "Flushed with Pride, the story of Thomas Crapper, Royal Plumber" not sure if it's a true historic document but at least there were documented cast iron manhole covers at one point in the London sewer system with the "Crapper" name cast on them. A good read when in the littlest room.

Kristin

164

General Mach Discussion / Re: motors stalling on start up

« on: May 18, 2008, 09:43:28 PM »

How do you have the acceleration and steps per inch set up, it could be your trying to get going too fast then they just make funny noises and stand still.

Kristin

165

General Mach Discussion / Re: Brand new problem

« on: May 17, 2008, 02:39:29 PM »

Hood,

Think I found the cause of the tach signal hunting, I went to spindle setup and checked "spindle speed averaging" now it stays within one digit, yikes lots of settings to discover yet.

Kristin

166

General Mach Discussion / Re: Brand new problem

« on: May 17, 2008, 06:33:59 AM »

Jim,

Yes it is connected to the net, well I kind of like that as I can keep up on things and do downloads that way, your correct in most of the crrap you do not need but as long as I am connected via wireless to my main PC I can pick and chose to install updates. D

Hood,

Right now I only have one slot, it's about 3/8" wide and is giving a fair to poor readout of the RPM, at 690 or so it wavers +/- 10 and at 3600 it's about the same perhaps +/- 20 rpm, I am running a AC motor so I know it's not wavering around. Would a second slot or multiple holes add to the thing? I am probably nit picking but it would be nice to see a steady number with a steady drive under no load. Darn, now I have to go looking for the timing input?


HA, and I thought this would be easy!

Kristin

167

General Mach Discussion / Re: Brand new problem

« on: May 16, 2008, 08:29:20 PM »

Hood,

It works, yes the diag indicator goes on and off, and it displays rpm, what I don't understand is if I had more than one slot would I need to let Mach know or does it just figure it out somehow?

Thanks again

Kristin

168

General Mach Discussion / Re: Brand new problem (fixed)

« on: May 16, 2008, 08:16:33 PM »

Well I did a full uninstall, removed the folders even on the hard drive and re-installed, no more lockups and for now at least I was able to auto configure the port for that input by touching the wires together but I see no action when I block/unblock the slot, nothing is indicating though as far as RPM or ?? I don't know do I need to do a calibration on the spindle? It's still hot and I am taking this slow so I don't release any magic smoke. I suppose the next move is to drag out the scope and look at the output of the photo transistor...


Just went back and played with it again not it's working, showing rpm when I drag a comb through the switch! Sucess at last!

Thanks,
Kristin

169

General Mach Discussion / Re: Brand new problem

« on: May 16, 2008, 07:24:20 PM »

Hood,

I reinstalled, same thing, seems if I even open the inputs config screen after a few seconds it locks up without clicking anything! all the outputs are checked active low (I think with a red X) but just scrolling it locks up, could be it's ungodly hot right now and the PC and I are both showing the effects, however unless I fire up Mach everything else is fine. I am going to totally unload and remove the program and re-install as soon as I cools down it's probably over 90 deg F in the shop and I don't even want to know, soon the sun will go down and cool off.

Kristin

170

General Mach Discussion / Brand new problem

« on: May 16, 2008, 06:33:15 PM »

OK I finally decided to set up the spindle index, booted up the PC and apparently it had restarted due to a windows security upgrade, now when I opened Mach I got as far as selecting pin 10 as an input for the spindle and as soon as I click OK my mouse & keyboard freeze up! Tried it first in Turn, then went to Mill and the same thing happened! I don't even have the port connected, strange! Suggestions? reload all the software, not a big problem since I am still in the test phase and would only need to re map the outputs and inputs?

Accck!

Kristin