Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Synchronize X & Axis

« on: March 05, 2009, 07:08:46 AM »

Brett,

I suspect that what is/has happened is that one pinion gear is slightly larger than the other - or is meshing into the gear rack at a slightly different depth.  From what I can calculate the difference is about .001"

I was hoping that this could be adjusted in software, but apparentlly it cannot.

22

General Mach Discussion / Synchronize X & Axis

« on: March 04, 2009, 03:32:44 PM »

I have looked through the other posts and cannot find anything on this ... but is there a way to synchronize slaved axises?

For example, on my machine it takes 3052 pulses for the x axis to travel 1".  It takes 3054 pulses for the slaved A axis to travel the same distance.  Not a big difference, however with the axises slaved together, at the end of a 96" travel, the A axis lags behind the X axis by about 1/16" - which is a problem.

I have changed the "steps per" settings on the A axis, but it has no effect on the travel distance.  It appears that if the axises are slaved, then both axises are sent exactly the same number of pulses (ie what is under the "X" axis setting)

Although I am sure this is a mechanical issue - one pinion gear must be slightly closer to the gear rack than the other - I am sure it would be much easier to fix using software, if that is possible.

Help! 

23

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: Not being notified of replys

« on: October 23, 2004, 04:37:53 PM »

Sorry, it is not a spam filter.  Although I do have a spam filter, it is not being dropped in that bucket either.

If it means anything, I have email notification on other websites, and I do not have any problem with them.

And like Dave, I feel I am being rude when I do not respond quickly.  Like this post, I have to check all of my posts to see if anyone responded, so I can reply.  (hence the 5 day lag in responding to your reply)

24

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Not being notified of replys

« on: February 25, 2009, 08:36:45 AM »

Not sure what the problem with my profile is, but I am not being notified when someone responds to one of my posts.  I do not recall ever having been notified.

Is it possible that you can look at my profile and see where the problem is.  At varius times, I have flagged every notify button.

Please advise.

THANKS

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Output turning on when Mach3 shutsdown

« on: February 23, 2009, 01:00:42 PM »

Ray,

Yes I am using a BOB - and I am using the charge pump.

However, as a double check ... I bypassed the SmoothStepper and used the parallel port directly.  I only have the problem with the SmoothStepper board.

I guess I will post this on Warp9's forum.

26

General Mach Discussion / Output turning on when Mach3 shutsdown

« on: February 23, 2009, 12:21:48 PM »

I have looked around through the posts, and although I expect that this has been covered before, I cannot find anything on it.  I am still doing some of the final touches on my build, and I just hooked up the router.  I am driving a set if relays with Pin 14.

Pin 14 tied directly to a solid state relay (Magnecraft 861 style).  3-32VDC Control, 24-280VAC load.
That relay is tied to a pair of contactors (1 for the 12amp router, the other to be used for a dust collector).  That relay is a 120VAC control, 120VAC SPST electromechanical relay.

Everything appears to work fine when the system is booting and when Mach3 is loaded.  The relay stays off - just like it is supposed to.  When I request the router to activate using gcode, the led on the SSR turns on, the electromechanical relay turns on, and the router turns on.  When I request the router to turn off, everything turns off.

HOWEVER, when I shutdown Mach3, the relays fire momentarily.   Long enough to visually see the LED turn on, and hear the electromechanical relays fire.  In total, it is less than a second - but they definitely fire.

I do not know if this is an issue, but I am using the Smooth Stepper board.

Help.

27

Mach Screens / Button Maker

« on: February 20, 2009, 08:51:07 AM »

For those of you making new buttons and are looking for a nice FREE program, here is one that I have found:

Button Maker 1.0. 

This is a freeware program.  Note that the first time it is run, it asks for a license key - but that license key can be found in BW_Installation.txt which is located in the zip file.   Button Maker is a product of INet Software and can also be found at http://www.inet2inet.com/  This software will also allow you to create a script that builds a "Batch" of buttons.

The only drawback to this software is that it creates BMP files (not JPG or PNG) - HOWEVER, using another package, FSViewer (also FREEWARE) allows you to open the BMP files and save them into any format you want.    FSViewer is a product of FastStone Soft.  I prefer the attached version of the software, however, the latest version can be found at http://www.faststone.org/

Another program that FastStone has is FSCapture.  This is a SHAREWARE program that will Capture any screen image.  The image can be saved to a file - or printed out.  Great for documenting Mach Screens - ie Hard copies of setting screens.

Enjoy.

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: G43 Sheetcam Problem

« on: February 10, 2009, 03:23:00 PM »

Hood,

I did look at the Safe Z settings.   This is what I found:

Allow Safe Z Moves is checked
Machine Coordinates is checked
Safe Z is set to 0 (on my machine, this is full up)

I tested all the options.  Safe Z CHECKED, Machine Coordinates OR Work Coordinates OR Incremental checked - Have the problem with the z axis moving.

WIth Safe Z UNCHECKED, no problem with z axis moving during this command.

I am not sure why this should be happening.  It seams to me that Safe Z set to 0 means that the axis will move until the Z DRO is Zero.   What I am finding is that before the move (assuming that safe z is checked), Machine Coordinates are 10.5 and the Work Coordinates are 0.0.  After the "safe" move, Machine Coordinates is 14.5 and the Work Coordinates is 4.0.

Are the settings for safe z moves typically used?

29

General Mach Discussion / G43 Sheetcam Problem

« on: February 10, 2009, 11:31:41 AM »

I am experimenting with SheetCAM.  As part of its tool change routine, it inserts the following code:

N0220 (Process: Outside offset PARTLAYER, Mill/Router, 0.25 inch diameter, 4 inch Deep)
N0230 (Mill/Router, 0.25 inch diameter)
N0240 T2 M06  G43 H2
N0250 M03 S10000

The problem is with line N0240.  When the code appears as written, Mach does the following:
- Issues a tool change command - pausing the program requiring a Cycle Start
- Reads the offset from the tool table (in this case 4")
- Adds the offset to the Z Axis current coordinates
- MOVES the router up 4" (at the currently set feed rate)

IF however, you break apart the command into two lines:
N0240 T2 M06
G43 H2
then the Mach does the following:
- Issues a tool change command - pausing the program requiring a Cycle Start
- Reads the offset from the tool table (in this case 4")
- Adds the offset to the Z Axis current coordinates
- Router DOES NOT MOVE.

I believe that the SECOND action is what is suppose to happen.  It is my understanding that the T2 or G43 commands do not actually move the router/cutter.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I have also been able to duplicate this by typing the command
T2 M06  G43 H2
directly into the MDI screen, switching to the Program Run screen, acknowledging the tool change, and the z axis moves to ZERO at the currently set feed rate.

If I enter:
T2 M06
switch to the Program Run screen, acknowledge the tool change, return to MDI screen, enter:
G43 H2
directly into the MDI screen - and switch back to the Program Run screen .... the tool has changes, the offsets are changed, but the z axis remains at its current position (ie -4)


When the commands are issued on the same line
T2 M06  G43 H2
Mach appears to be issuing the following
T2 M06  G43 H2 G1 Z0

It is the "G1" move that is driving me nuts.

Help!  

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: February 03, 2009, 07:41:45 AM »

Chip,

Allen & Greg helped me with this homing routine for the SmoothStepper board.  I just installed it and it works great!

DoOemButton(1024)   'Home Z
While IsMoving
Sleep(25)
Wend

DoOemButton(1023)   'Home Y
While IsMoving
Sleep(25)
Wend

DoOemButton(357)    'deslave axis

Code "G91"          'Put Mach into incremental mode

Code "G0A0.5"       'Move A axis 1/2"
While IsMoving
Sleep(25)
Wend

Code "G90"          'Return Mach to Absolute Mode'

DoOemButton(358)    'slave axis

DoOemButton(1022)   'Home X with A trailing
While IsMoving
Sleep(25)
Wend

DoOemButton(1007)   'Zero All just to be sure

Again, thanks to everyone that helped me figure this out!