Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / G92 Offest Problem (maybe)

« on: November 26, 2010, 12:24:51 AM »

I've been using Mach-3 for a long time, and I just now started using G92 in a recent program but it seems to be offsetting in the opposite direction. For example, if I use "G92 X3.0" the offset becomes negative (X-3.0). I confirmed this in the diagnostic tab which shows the actual G92 counters for each axis. If I use "G92 X-3.0" then the X axis gets offest by a positive 3.0!  What's going on here? Am I misinterpreting how G92 is supposed to work, or is there a bug in the program? 

Thanks!

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Control Takes 70% of processing power??? (Cant run spindle and G-Code.)

« on: May 06, 2010, 03:14:18 PM »

TJ - You said, "If I switch it to manual control and run the same gcode it runs fine."  That tells me that it's NOT the computer. If the same code runs fine with the switch in manual control mode, but NOT in automatic mode, then there seems to be a problem with the circuitry that automatically controls the motor. Sound logical???

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Control Takes 70% of processing power??? (Cant run spindle and G-Code.)

« on: May 06, 2010, 02:56:51 PM »

tj - It's not clear from your post if the problem has ALWAYS been there, or if the problem just recently occurred, such as after you rebuilt your computer. I was thinking that it could be caused by electrical noise because that's a common problem in CNC systems, especially older ones. Electrical noise can be generated by loose wire connections, poor relay contacts, brush noise (if the motor is a DC brush type), and those sorts of things. Electrical noise occurs when there is arcing due to a poor electrical connection. The arcing generates faulse signals that get into the digital inputs, and the processor doesn't know if they are proper signals, or just erratic noise, and so the processor attempts to handle the chaotic signals with wierd or erratic results. Electrical noise can get into the computer via a ground connection and/or via the signal input lines. So, I was suggesting that you remove the digital signal from the output terminal that controls the Spindle. That way you eliminate wirng, relays, motors, and anything else in the Spindle circuit that can cause electrical noise. If your computer behaves while running the G-code with the Spindle circuit disconnected, then that tells you that the problem is caused by electrical noise. If it is electrical noise, then you will need to troubleshoot the Spindle circuit to determine which wire connection or electrical component is generating the noise.

Good luck!

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Control Takes 70% of processing power??? (Cant run spindle and G-Code.)

« on: May 06, 2010, 02:07:00 PM »

My guess is that you have electrical noise getting into the computer, causing the processor to go bananas. Just for kicks, try running the same CNC code but with the spindle power disconnected from the motor. In fact, it might be best to pull the spindle control wire off of the output terminal from your digital output board. That way you would completely eliminate all electrical wiring that may be causing the problem.  If the processor doesn't freak out after that, then it proves that you have an electrical noise problem in your system.

Mike

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: May 06, 2010, 12:32:43 PM »

Many people have Emailed me asking for specific details about how my steppers are wired, and how my limit switches are set up. So, I am posting this information for all readers to refer to. Keep in mind that this is how I wired MY system. Someone else may have different motors with different wire colors, etc.

I suggest you go to the Xylotex website and click on the tab labeled "Data Sheets & App Notes". You will find a lot of detailed information for the stepper driver board and power supply requirements. Here is a link to the 3-axis driver board that I used:  http://www.xylotex.com/3axBoard.htm
 
Here are some wiring details from my own personal notes. It is how I wired my engraver for the motors and limit switches....
 
Motor wire colors (These are the original steppers on my New Hermes engraver):
 
Note: where two colors are shown, the color to the left of the slash is the main solid color, and the color(s) to the
right of the slash is the colored stripe(s)
 
X axis: A=white/orange  A#=white/yellow B=white/grey B#=white/black
Y axis: A=brown A#=orange B=white/blue B#=white/red
Z axis: A=blue A#=white/red/black B=red B#=white/red
 

Limit/Home switch inputs to Xylotex board digital input terminals:
 
Note: Due to the limited number of switches on the engraver, some of the digital inputs are used for multiple functions.
 
+X = pin 11   -X = pin 10  X Home = pin 10
+Y = pin 11   -Y = pin 12  Y Home = pin 12
Z = No limit switches.   Z home = pin 13
 
Spindle ON/OFF signal from Xylotex board to solid-state relay:
Output #1 = pin 14.   CNC commands:  M03 = Spindle ON, M05 = Spindle OFF

I used a 10 Amp solid-state relay with a 10 to 30 VDC input for turning the Spindle on and off. It's overkill, but that happens
to be one that I had in my spare parts box at the time. I don't recall what the motor is rated at, but I doubt if it draws more than a couple of amps at 120 VAC, and so you could easily use an SSR rated at 5 Amps if that's what you happen to have.
 
Regards,
Mike

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: May 05, 2010, 11:31:48 AM »

The engraver came today and it appears to be in working order. But it has no manual so I'm not sure what commands are used to control it. I played with it alittle and can get it to go into the progam but can't get it to let me imput any numbers. So if anyone hase a manual for a vanguard 3000 that  I could copy I would pay for it. Thanks Gary

Keep in mind that the converted engraver with the Mach-3 software will operate MUCH differently from the original New Hermes controller. I'm not so sure that everyone who is interested in making the conversion understands this. The original New Hermes controller uses "Font Cartridges", and you create engraved items by selecting text characters, and their desired size and position, etc. The Mach-3 is a CNC controller, which means that you create text and graphic images with motion commands (G-codes) for each and every x/y/z move of the stylus. Therefore, if you have no experience with CNC machines and CNC programming, then you will have a learning curve, which will be frustrating at first, and may seem too confusing and complex for many people to grasp. So, my point is, even though you acquire all the parts and assemble them correctly, you won't be able to engrave anything until you've learned at least the basics of CNC. It's not too difficult to learn for most technically-minded people, but it will take some time in order to become proficient at it. There are plenty of CNC resources on the web, including THIS excellent website.

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: February 28, 2010, 11:51:53 PM »

Xray Do any of you do this upgrade for us as I am not that good with circuit boards. I purchased a vanguard 3000 on ebay and would like  to upgradeit if possible

Hi petlover - No, I only did the one for myself, and I do not have the time to work on another one for someone else. Maybe you could find an experienced electronics technician in your area who could do the mods for you by following my descriptions and photos. I may be available at times to answer technical questions, but because of my hectic work and personal schedules, I have very little free time.

Best of luck to you!

Mike (aka, Xray Man)

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: January 03, 2010, 02:35:54 PM »

Hey XrayMan,

I have a Vanguard 3400. Tossed the EP, bought a iso board and added Mach3 with an XP comp.

Everything seems fine exxcept I missing steps in all 3 axis over longish runs. Any thoughts? Could The steppers be bad? Or maybe the set-up is not quite right. Any thoughts would be appreciated!


Thanks,

SpicySkier.

Hi Spicy,
Sounds to me like something is over-heating, possibly your stepper driver board.

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: July 11, 2008, 01:15:41 PM »

The limit switches can be a little tricky because some of them can also be configured as HOME switches. That's how I configured mine. Also, you may get some stepper servo noise into the limit switch inputs which can cause erratic operation. I solved that problem by placing a capacitor across each digital input to Ground.

After getting all the functions to work (motors and limit switches) you can then have some fun tweaking the system for maximum performance. I did that by engraving some basic shapes (squares and lines) on a piece of scrap, then playing with the motor tuning parameters and running the shapes again. Try to get the fastest possible speed without distorted lines and squares caused by overshoot and mis-stepping. Also keep in mind that your computer makes a huge difference on the performance of the system. The faster your processor is, the less likely that it will cause erratic problems with the servo system.

Have Fun!!!

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controller for New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver

« on: July 10, 2008, 07:09:01 PM »

Xray,

Well this is a very late posting on this subject, but here goes. I recently got a New Hermes 3400 engraver, free!! I ended up using parts of the original controller, the motor driver board and the power supply. Everything else in the EP controller was deleted.

 I had to hand trace the motor driver board and develop a schematic, then rewired it to accept the parallel port inputs from Mach3.
Very cheap conversion, I am running upwards of 250 ipm.

Arnie

Hi Arnie,
Congratulations on getting that free engraver! That doesn't happen very often!  I hope that you got it working well with the Mach 3 software.  Are you up and running now, or are you still in the process of putting it together? Let me know if I could be of any help to you. It's been quite a while since I've done any engraving because of other personal and professional commitments, but I still have my machine and I still use it occasionally.

Good job!

Mike