Messages

151

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: IS ANYBODY OF ARTSOFT WILLING TO/WORKING ON THIS FORUM SEARCH PROBLEM

« on: December 30, 2018, 11:39:45 AM »

Requests have been made to have the search function fixed and Artsoft knows about the problem.
It IS concerning that they don't even give a response.

Dear Brian,

When Artsoft does not reply on a major issue, it makes users  feel like the business is starting to forget who the customer is,
we would appreciate it, if you could just spend a minute or two with a response.

RICH

152

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cant jog incrementally or MPG at minimum step/unit (.0001)

« on: December 28, 2018, 07:31:43 AM »

Just because the theoretical resolution is 0.0001 doesn't mean your machine can really move a true .0001.
How the axes will  move via jogging  and mpg use is defined in the plugin, thus , don't believe it is a Mach problem.

RICH

153

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Slot cutting

« on: December 28, 2018, 07:21:35 AM »

adprinter,

Everything I know about Lazycam can be found in the Lazycam Manual I wrote 9 years ago. The manual is the only form of information on LC.
No documentation of LC was ever provided for the program when it was obtained, thus it is still the same / never changed, and was not developed more
since being obtained.
Read the manual,  Tutorial #6 & #7 (2.1) in particular.

RICH

 

154

General Mach Discussion / Re: Understanding Backlash Compensation

« on: December 15, 2018, 08:23:10 AM »

Bob....,
Backlash comp is only applied when there is a change in direction and the intent is to compensate for non-movement of the axis.
I have never seen anything like what you are posting over my many years  on this forum.

BC works, it is just a "band aid approach" to fixing a mechanical problem that should be fixed / minimized in the first place.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1. An axis should be calibrated and tuned first.
2. Then determine the amount of non-movement.
3. Determine what is causing the backlash. Try to fix  / reduce the non-movement.  
4. Once you have enabled BC for whatever amount , save settings and exit Mach3 and reopen Mach3.
5. Now adjust the other settings that affect how backlash is done. You will find this info  in Members Docs>
    BACKLASH SETTING 50-50-50 RULE.
6. After changes done in 5. above, save settings, exit Mach3 and reopen Mach3.

The above is for Mach3 using just the PP. If you are using an external motion controller, plug in, whatever, then consult the info for that devive specific to BC.


RICH

155

General Mach Discussion / Re: Movement of Z axis is great in down direction but is incorrect in Up direction

« on: December 13, 2018, 07:22:12 AM »

CES,
You have 0.010" of Z backlash according to your posting.
I suggest you try to minimise the backlash. You will have backlash no matter what you do it's just
a matter of how much! Can't see how the screw is attached, so in the picture, I point to what I think is
a support bearing.

Now consider doing the following:
You should have a bearing / bearings ( depends on how you want to do it) which anchors the upper end of the screw. You preload the bearing support such that the torque required to turn the screw is minimized. With the anchor fixed you can use a solid coupling and get rid of the spider coupling. Consider increasing the torque ( don't think you actual  have 438 in oz with 24 V) and also consider providing for a 2:1 ratio or so for increased resolution and motor torque.

If done properly you "MAY" only have a 1/2 to 1 thou free play due to the bearing. The ball screw is rolled so don't be suprised if the there is a slight diference in the up or down accuracy of the screw. In the end, the major contributor to  backlash will be in the nut.

Total backlash is the sum of each axis component non-movement.

RICH

156

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Changing stepper motors with more amp draw

« on: December 11, 2018, 10:39:15 AM »

The steps per unit should be the same but I would still check the calibration after retuning the motors for max velocity and accel values.
Suggest you have a look at stepper info provided on the Geckodrive site. Your drives should be capable of the amp requirements.

RICH

157

General Mach Discussion / Re: Movement of Z axis is great in down direction but is incorrect in Up direction

« on: December 08, 2018, 05:59:53 PM »

CES,
How exactly is the stepper mounted to the ball screw.
ie;

Stepper flange bolted / anchored to fixed bracket - inside the bracket is the coupling  which connects the stepper shaft to the ball screw.

Are  there any bearings  in the above description?  I can't tell from the pictures.

If there are bearings are they mounted and  or how were they preloaded?

What make is the coupling?  

It would helpful to know more about the motors. ie; 3.1 nm ( 438 in oz ) motors but at what amperage and voltage. If memory serves me
the G540 is limited to 3 amps for an axis. How many wires do the motors have.?

Your steps per unit of 10000 may need to be tweaked some. More on that later .........
Believe your accel is too high. We'll get into refining your velocity and accel later.......

For now just post the info on how the  Z stepper is connected.

RICH

158

General Mach Discussion / Re: Diameter changes .001 every part.

« on: December 07, 2018, 10:33:16 AM »

stevehuck,
Frankly, the actual incremental change you are looking for is 0.0005".
The big picture question is ....Is it software, the lathe axis system, or setup along with actual machining the cause?

I am curious if the change is the same for reducing or enlarging a diameter.?

I suggest you do nothing other than do a simple test and then only make ONE change at a time
and see what happens for each change.
A gcode file for reducing and enlarging stock using the same tool, pullout distance, etc / keep it simple.
Air cut only and no need to run the spindle. You can setup to actualy measure and compare to DRO display or just visualy check the tool position.  

RICH

159

General Mach Discussion / Re: Movement of Z axis is great in down direction but is incorrect in Up direction

« on: December 05, 2018, 08:12:40 PM »

CES,
Don't need a video. Just need to see how the stepper is mounted, attached to the ball screw, how the ball screw is mounted.

Also info on the steppers in oz rating. If you have info fine, a link to info on them.

RICH

160

General Mach Discussion / Re: Movement of Z axis is great in down direction but is incorrect in Up direction

« on: December 04, 2018, 05:01:34 PM »

Sorry, if you can't post what was asked or take some simple advice  won't be able to help you.

Have  Happy Holiday and good luck,

RICH