Messages

1291

General Mach Discussion / Re: 620 in-oz motors not working

« on: May 06, 2015, 07:36:58 AM »

Have a read of the info on the Gecko site as to amp settings and wiring configurations.

RICH

1292

General Mach Discussion / Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper

« on: May 06, 2015, 07:33:09 AM »

The main concern on any computer with a pp is that the signal out is clean. IE; I have a DEll GX520 and you need to use an
external motion device with it. I have an old NEC laptop that runs Mach...extremely slow machine / old and it probably wouldn't  run aspire.

For any pp computer you need to run the driver test as that will give the first indication if it will work.
Install Mach on it and then iin the diagnostics page see how stable the pulse frequency is ie; should not vary much and be close to kernal speed.

I had an agreement with builder of my dedicated desktop that if it didn't work he would fix or give full refund.

FWIW,
RICH

1293

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 acting crazy with backlash comp

« on: May 03, 2015, 08:43:49 AM »

Wrechin2,

What make drives  or whose controller box are you using?

RICH

1294

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Port 1 not working, Port 2 is working

« on: May 02, 2015, 10:47:05 PM »

FWIW,
In the BIOS of the computer you can sometimes choose the address for the pp.
Have a look and see what the address is. Then go into Windows and see if the address is the same.
They should be. Now use that address in Mach's configuration and make sure you save the settings.
It should not change.

RICH

1295

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 acting crazy with backlash comp

« on: May 02, 2015, 10:38:42 PM »

Mach3 is a CNC software program that works with Windows and provides for controlling all movements and associated
commands to the axes via a parallel port (pp) to motor drives. The drives provide for actual movement of the motors.

Now if one doesn't have a pp,  then an external controller must be used and there are number of them avialable that provide a plug-in to software so the drives behave correctly. Not all external controllers are alike, in that, some features are not available. The plug-in is written by the manufacturer.

Now a lap top is not recommeded, but, if used, and many use them with an  external device to provide the pulsing to the motors. So the external device must comunicate with Mach correctly.

So you bought an external device and it doesn't work correctly for all you want to do.
Make sure you have read the instructions, have it properly connected, Mach configured correctly.
Ask the VENDOR for how to make it work for what you want to do, what it can or can't do, etc.

I know nothing about the USB device you bought.

Sorry, I can't help........

RICH

1296

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 acting crazy with backlash comp

« on: May 02, 2015, 05:59:23 PM »

Your USB device is a one that I am not aware of.

Frankly, no one is going to provide you a LEGIT Mach3 license and controller board for $139.00.

Next, problems you have with that board should be addressed by the vendor. The board is taking care of
some of  the functions that Mach3 would normaly do. Unless someone on this site has specific knowledge about that board you are not going to get much help here.

Your backlash problem is a good example. It is not as easy as the Chinese may think.

Just trying to save you some time and avoid having other site users try to problem solve a matter that is not
MACH3 related.

RICH

1297

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 acting crazy with backlash comp

« on: May 02, 2015, 05:39:13 PM »

Did you puchase a separate Mach3 license?
OR
Are you using the one supplied on CD that came with the USB device?

RICH

1298

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP! Motors "lock" when going reverse!

« on: April 28, 2015, 08:40:51 PM »

Please post specific information on exactly what you bought.
Provide a link to the site.
Did you recieve any information installation instructions? Post them or provide a way for us to look at the info.

Somehow I got the feeling that the controllers are the Chinese 3020 stuff, if so, sorry but I can't be of help and someone else will need to chime in.

RICH

1299

General Mach Discussion / Re: Test Cuts

« on: April 27, 2015, 10:02:00 PM »

Use the axis calibration feature of Mach3 ( ALt 6 ) Tab, see  lower left corner of the screen.

RICH

1300

General Mach Discussion / Re: CopyCat Latest Version Probe issue

« on: April 26, 2015, 08:02:00 AM »

Are you using a video camera to probe the inside of the circle?

I have a big red note on the instructions given on page 14 of the CopyCat v1.1 NFS User Manual.
See also page 12. The circle is used with  VIDEO. The other is used with a probe.

RICH