Messages

61

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

62

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 velocity limit?

« on: July 11, 2013, 09:56:04 AM »

Thanks, Hood. Things are looking better.  My 3 ghz pc is providing a smooth 35K kernel frequency, which is what the G201x liked better. One more thing: What is the "better" approach to the parallel board to gecko step and direction signals? to sink or to source them? I am currently sourcing the signal, but I am not sure if sinking the signal to a gecko is the preferred method-- for more stable performance.
tony

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 velocity limit?

« on: July 10, 2013, 10:15:15 AM »

I am trying to use the driver test, and notice that on start up, the default frequency it's always 25K. Without my hitting the timer start or stop button, the test begins.  I am confused about how to try other frequencies. If I use the timer start stop button, I get a "timer not counting" error.  I can , while the driver is "testing" change frequencies and see new frequency displayed on the very top of the window.
But my question is how does one use the timer buttons during the test, and under what conditions does the "timer not counting" pop up occur.
Mach 3 seems to work fine, but I am trying to figure out the proper testing sequence of using the driver test.

tony

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 velocity limit?

« on: July 10, 2013, 08:16:10 AM »

MMH...., I thought I had the kernel set at 35K. Let me check.  thanks
tony

65

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

66

General Mach Discussion / Re: questions about the G201x

« on: July 03, 2013, 07:53:00 PM »

I got the motor set up fine, but I am still confused about the resolution. Mach 3 is currently set up at a 1/2 step( 4000 pulses/rev). Is this the setting for the G201x?
tony

67

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

68

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! runaway machine

« on: May 08, 2013, 07:26:58 AM »

I'll give that a try. In the meantime, I have to watch those code sections where there's no M01, which is usually when I use code snippets.
thanks for the help.
tony

69

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! runaway machine

« on: May 07, 2013, 07:57:15 AM »

Interesting interpretation re.,newer pc. I upgraded, thinking that a faster cpu would provide greater stepper stability. Anyway, are you saying that I should delete the macros?
Tony

70

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! runaway machine

« on: May 07, 2013, 04:59:29 AM »

That's correct.
When I first encountered the problem, I  was using the latest version. What I had done is save the "old pc mach 3 folder".When  copied the old version folder to the new pc and saw that the Mach 3 driver had to be installed, I installed the newest version. After the installation, I moved the xml file into the new install.   
At this point, I had the "runaway" problem.   I looked at the version on my old pc, and saw that it was a bit older, so I decided to install this one over the newer one, assuming that similar files would be overwritten.

So currently, I am running with the slightly older version(*********.022).

Since I have the old pc files intact, can you perhaps provide a correct procedure for reinstalling Mach 3 on a new pc and moving over only those critical files?  Given that the issue, as you say, involves the Macro M6end, something got crossed....
tony