Topics

21

General Mach Discussion / z axis odd behavior....

« on: June 16, 2014, 07:47:45 PM »

I can't figure out why the z axis is always .010-.030 off( short of the physical zero) after I've rezeroed the z axis. Let me explain:  I first set the tool and home the machine.  Then I bring the z axis to my workpiece, bring the tool to the physical zero, and zero out all three DRO's.

I then re-home the machine and check for accuracy by pressing the "go to zero button".  The  x and y axis are accurate. The z axis is short by as much as .010.  If I repeat the operation, that is, bring the z to the physical zero and rezero the DRO for the second time, the machine will run fine from this point on.

So why do I have this error  only once?  If it were backlash, I'd see it in the work.  The machine runs fine aftewards.

tony

22

General Mach Discussion / Odd behavior with probe wiring

« on: May 03, 2014, 04:14:31 PM »

I have decided to use a z probe for setting the tool height. I connected the board to a spare terminal on the c10 breakout board and configured the probe input in Mach 3.  When I touch the copper plate with the alligator clip, Mach 3 shows a good contact. It works as it should.  However, if I use the tool on the router, nothing happens.  If I pull out the tool, the input lights up. That is, when the tool makes contact with the router , the probe no longer works.
Somehow, the router is interfering with the circuit, and I can't figure out why.
After all, I am only using the tool for closing the circuit.
The router is a hitachi plugged in its own 110volts line Clearly, the router is interfering with the circuit.

Any clues?
tony

23

General Mach Discussion / X or Y axis error after homing

« on: November 12, 2013, 12:55:30 PM »

Usually I get this error when I first start the pc, Mach 3, load a program, set my work coordinates to zero, zero my tool,   press the regenerate button and then press the REF ALL HOME button.

The machine goes to the home position, where it's supposed to go, but sometimes the X or the Y DRO records a different position.

When  I press the "go to zero" button, either the x or the y goes in a different direction.

I have to have my button on the stop button in order to make sure the machine does not smash against the end of the travel.

Once I stop the machine, I have to bring the tool back to the work coordinates and zero  the one axis that had gone wild.

Again, I this point I do not press the "regenerate" button, but simply press the ref all home button.

From here on the machine works fine. In fact,I can pick new coordinates and things will work fine.

Obviously, this is not supposed to happen.  


I written about this problem before, but I've yet to get any good clues to solve it.

tony

24

General Mach Discussion / tool offset not taking

« on: October 02, 2013, 08:41:26 AM »

I have not had any trouble with Mach 3 compensating for different tool lengths until this morning.  Suddenly, after I change a tool, Mach 3 fails to turn the green LED light, informing me that the tool offset is in fact recognized.  What causes this?  My code looks normal. Now when it starts to cut with the new tool, it's not compensating for tool length.  The offset in the offset window looks fine also. I am puzzled.
tony

25

General Mach Discussion / compensating for different stock thickness

« on: September 24, 2013, 08:04:30 AM »

Is there a quick way to compensate for changing tolerances in stock thickness in Mach3. Let me be more clear.  When I create gcode, I am assuming that the stock material is a specific thickness.  When I actually set up the job, I find that the material may be thicker or thinner than what I've programmed, especially when I am doing more than one sheet of material from different vendors.
I don't want to go back to the program and recalculate the depth. I'd like to know if there a quick way to do it via Mach 3 on the fly. 
thanks
tony

26

General Mach Discussion / anomaly after regen

« on: September 04, 2013, 12:51:26 PM »

When I first set up the work  coordinates, I set all three axis  to zero,  regenerate,and home the machine.
However, When I press cycle start, the machine does not start cutting at the correct point relative to the work origin. 
This is something new that's been happening, and I don't know why.
I have to push the button "send to zero" and then the machine will run fine next time around.
Any clues?
thanks
tony

27

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 velocity limit?

« on: July 10, 2013, 07:19:20 AM »

I am puzzled, once again.  I've just installed the gecko 201x, which at 10x microstepping, forces me to enter a value of 20000 steps per inch for my 10 tpi lead screw.  In trying to tune the motor, I notice that Mach 3 will not allow more than 75 ipm top velocity in its "velocity" field in the motor tuning section.  Is this the case?   
tony

28

General Mach Discussion / Puzzling freeze....

« on: June 20, 2013, 07:42:41 PM »

It always happens in the acceleration phase, toward the end, when traveling a very short distance, as when I am drilling a series of holes, the Y axis freezes, thus losing its steps.  It's random. For example, it cut one piece fine, and then on the second piece, it froze.  I homed it, and then sent it back with a "start from here" command, and it worked fine and completed two separate pieces.

My acceleration is only at 4 ipm, with a top velocity of 70ipm and the motors are at a 1/2 step. ( motors are Kelings 425 oz/in).
I am running the job only between 26-36 in/m feed.

It's the randomness that is puzzling me as well as the fact that it's always in the y axis when it's doing repetitive operations such as drilling a series of holes 1/2" apart. 

I am cutting MDF, using 1/4" bit and depths of no more than .100 at a time. 

Can it be that the acceleration of the steppers is set too low? Or is it in the code?

I know I've got plenty of power( 80volt ps) and there's plenty of current feeding them( 3.17amps).

tony

29

General Mach Discussion / Help! runaway machine

« on: May 06, 2013, 01:18:05 PM »

I am puzzled by the following:

I installed mach3 in a new pc.  I loaded Mach 3 with the old config file.
My program requires a tool change.
When I run the program, the drilling operation works fine in terms of the xyz coordinates.
When Mach 3 stops for a tool change, on start up  after the toolchange, the Y axis keeps moving, disregarding the coordinates until it hits the limit switch.
I home referenced the machine, then I tried to get the machine to move to the point where the new tool is to start cutting, and the machine, after a very brief pause, kept on moving forward.

Is there a setting that I am missing? Or is it in the code?

It's a production job, and I am pressed for time, so I need a quick solution.

With thanks,
tony

30

General Mach Discussion / one limit switch triggers two green input port pins

« on: November 03, 2009, 08:33:09 AM »

I have three switches acting as homing switches for the three axis.  While the x and z switches appear to work fine, the y switch turns two yellow port pin light indicator in mach's diagnostic window.
I have checked the connections to the breakout board as well as the config screen to make sure that there are no double entries.  Everything checkout fine.
The problem is consistent, that is, it's as if one switch was tied to two port pins
Incidentally, the machine and the homing work fine.  I discovered this anomaly while trying to trace noise issues that occasionally stop the machine.

Any clues?
thanks in advance
tony