Messages

151

General Mach Discussion / Re: adding second parallel port?

« on: January 20, 2006, 07:04:59 PM »

also, I found when installing  a parallel port that it auto assigned it to Lpt3.  after assigning it to Lpt2( in device manager)and checking the resources in there, all was well.  There were drivers to install too.

..You should see more in the "range" under the resources tab.... rather than a single location.

...Though, maybe I haven't had enough experience with different cards....I did have one older model that looked liked a card embedded with a dozen mini "kit-kat" bars that came with my scanner.  It didn't work on my newer PC.

152

General Mach Discussion / Re: adding second parallel port?

« on: January 20, 2006, 01:41:07 AM »

here's a parallel card I use. It works great.  Your "generic" card may not be capable.
It's a link to EBay's DigiWonder seller.  If you look through the list of items they have for sale, you might find another with a duel port option. Others might have serial and parallel combo..you just don't use the serial in that case.
http://tinyurl.com/bf4uf

Also, here's basically the same...http://www.rogersmachine.net/PCIport.html

153

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Screens and Wizards

« on: December 24, 2005, 01:24:19 PM »

If Brian isn't back here timely,,,, let me suggest that you go to the downloads area here and get the latest version of Mach3.   Many changes have been made to Mach3 since the version you have.... I think maybe this will clear up many of the missing objects on your screen....
I went through that for a while not realizing that I was using an older version....

154

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: I made a mistake..........

« on: December 01, 2005, 09:21:23 PM »

...... It was made to make learning CNC a bit simpler and has given me many gray hairs...
Thank you
Brian

So that's how one gets gray hairs .....I must be doing SOMETHING right. My hairs have a majority of gray 

John (Bloy)

P.S.  Sorry Brian....just having some fun as you mentioned in another thread 

155

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need a little help to just get the motors moving

« on: December 01, 2005, 12:33:16 AM »

No, you don't have to uninstall Mach2.  They will reside on the computer together. You just can't RUN them at the same time.   I wouldn't want you to lose a working  mach2 ...

  Ok..your DRO's are working. That means that your estop is set right and you have control of Mach3.  In the Ports & Pins/motor outputs, are your port pins set to 1(assuming you are using port 1) for the step and direction of each axis?  (Something I remember missing when I first went to Mach3)

In Mach2 the units are per sec.  in mach3 the units are per min.  This may alter your motor tuning settings if you haven't already noticed this.  If set too low your motors may be hardly moving when calling for what would normally be a noticable movement.

Heh..I'm just throwing out anything now....just go over again all the configuration items one by one and examine closely.

I do recall Art's suggestion to concentrate on one axis at a time and get IT running and then adding the other axes as each one is successfully in operation.

  I suggest maybe if you have gone through everything and still can't get any action that you post in the yahoo forum and maybe someone that is up on all the possibilities will guide you.  Mine just works and I am kinda foggy about the configuration nuances as I haven't been in there for a while to readily note the differences between Mach2 and 3.  I'll look at mine again and maybe I'll see something I can report on.

156

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need a little help to just get the motors moving

« on: November 30, 2005, 03:24:59 PM »

Hi David,
  Your e-stop will always be active (it cannot be turned off). However, if you are having problems resetting(the big red button on the main screen and other screens) go to the e-stop again in the configuration inputs and check or uncheck(one way or the other) the "active low" box, save, and try again. You should be able to activate Mach3 then....if this is what problem you are experiencing.

John (Bloy)

P.S.  Let us know if this gets you further

157

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Speed Control- how do it do dat? (newbie question)

« on: November 25, 2005, 03:21:05 PM »

Sid,
  I can't think that that speed control is simply a variac type .   I believe there must be some electronics to control those 115Vac motors...although I think they are considered AC/DC motors..of which I still don't understand.

158

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Speed Control- how do it do dat? (newbie question)

« on: November 23, 2005, 12:31:52 PM »

I too am using a 115Vac router as my spindle.  I was wondering if that potentiometer you are using now could be attached to a small stepper or servo motor with appropriate drive and then the position of that pot could be controled by step and direction commands.  I would imagine that the control position of the pot/motor would need to be calibrated? 
  There is also the question of maintaining torque when in the lower speed range.  I am guessing that a higher quality speed control would have the electronics to provide that needed low rpm torque. ....or maybe AC routers just can't respond. 
  just thinking out loud.....or not thinking at all.