Messages

311

Works in progress / Re: 3 Axis Simple Screen setup 1.0 (Also good for TouchScreens)

« on: May 06, 2006, 06:47:34 PM »

Z-Man,

Thanks for the simplified explanation.  I'm sorry but I had to chuckle a little bit when I read the post because it seems like you must be thinking we must be so lame and can not figure out how to put files in the correct folder. 

Not that it would be the 1st time I made mistake but, in this case I'm 150% sure that I have the files in the correct place and the set is still not loading correctly. 

Big white rectangles (where the bitmaps should be displaying) that say "Bitmap Goes here". It's just plain old weirdness.  I love the .jpgs of the set and it seems like the other dudes think it's pretty cool so, I'd love to give it a go but, if I have to wait for a Installer version so us dummies  can use it, I think it'll be worth thel wait  In the meantime if you or anybody else can think of something else to try, give us a shout ok?

Thanks,
Sid

312

Works in progress / Re: 3 Axis Simple Screen setup 1.0 (Also good for TouchScreens)

« on: May 06, 2006, 11:53:41 AM »

I have the same problem as Cowpoke.  Just as Cowpoke, my Touchscreen folder IS in the right place but when I load the set I get the black background and a bunch of white rectangles that say "Bitmap goes here".  So, Obviously the link to the Bitmaps folder is broken somehow. 

I have moved the Touchscreen folder all over the place in hopes that I could get things to work but- No Go Joe! 

Kinda sux cause the Screen set looks great and I wanted to try it out!  Nice Job on the design!!

Regards,
Sid

313

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: May 05, 2006, 12:29:36 PM »

I Agree Jim,  Great Discussion!

I think that the primary principle that I have come to understand in this thread is to write your code with an F that is close to where you want to be runing with maybe a little 'wiggle room'.  This is a great idea if you are an experienced operator but if your a newbie then I guess you're in for some trial and error time.

I think one of the things that is confusing is the wide range of the FRO.  If  most dudes only tweak their FRO 20-50% above the F rate then why does FRO go all the way to 300%?  In other words, if travel at the speed of light is impossible, why put a warp drive button on the dashboard?

That's kinda why the doo dad macro pump that Brian worked up is pretty awesome.  It's kinda of a 'governor' if you will.  It keeps one from jackin' things up too far.

In summary, I think that the best procedure (IMHO) for finding motor velocity would be to set your Feed Rate at the highest you ever anticipate runing your machine.  HIGHEST = F x FRO% (you're going to have to do a little math to figure out what this number is).  Then find the max velocity you can run without missing steps.  Then use Brian's Macro Pump and set the Max DRO so it corresponds to the the HIGHEST value.  Does that make sense?  To me it seems like if you follow this method you have a fail safe way to not overspeed your machine.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Sid

314

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: May 04, 2006, 07:09:18 PM »

AHA (Said the Blind Handyman as he picked up his hammer & Saw    )

Slowly things are becoming clearer.  Chad & Brian Thank you for helping me to understand.

Sid

315

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: May 04, 2006, 03:21:28 PM »

Jim,

I'm not sure if you need to set something differently.  To be honest the whole issue of feed rates and motor tuning is a tad bit mind boggling to me.  I think this is due to the fact that some basic principals need to be established in order for me to understand exactly what is going on.

That being said, either I need to just play around with my machine here and have a little 'discovery' time or perhaps Mr. Barker (or others) could help to clarify. 

1.  My Impression is that on the motor tuning screen that the Velocity represents the MAXIMUM VELOCITY THE MOTORS WILL TURN ON A RAPID G0 command.  MAXIMUM meaning that regardless of how high you set your FRO that the motors will never turn faster than this.

2.  If #1 is true then if one sets the max velocity on the motor tuning screen and does not miss steps, it should never be possible to miss steps during the course of a cut (unless the cutter is being restricted from moving but, this is another issue and not related to trying to run the motors too fast

If #1 is NOT true, then measures need to be taken to insure that #1 IS, in fact, true.  I would venture to guess that the measures one would take would be.... BEFORE you go to your motor tuning screen, set your FRO at the MAX (I think it's 290%).  Then do your motor tuning/set your max velocity

So, which is it gang?  Is #1 true or not?

Thanks!

Sid

316

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: May 03, 2006, 08:15:37 PM »

Jim,

I don't get it.  Isn't Rapid always the same or does the FRO effect rapid also- I never really noticed that.

Sid

317

General Mach Discussion / Re: BEst controller or driver to use w/mach3

« on: May 03, 2006, 12:14:10 AM »

I am using one of these ... http://www.dtllc.com/4xcnc10b.html  It works pretty good.  It'll do 4 Axis @ 10Amps Current.  It doesn't have micro stepping and it's definitely not a Gecko but it drives my steppers just fine.

It also has 3 onboard relays that you can use to control turning on/off other stuff (i.e. Router motor, Vacuum, Coolant, etc)

If I had to do it again, I'd probaby cough up the dough and buy Geckos or a Campbell but, for a inexpensive easy started board, it's hard to beat the bang for the buck you get in this board.

318

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: April 28, 2006, 08:53:23 PM »

THANK YOU BRIAN!  It's Awesome!

Regards,
Sid

319

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: April 28, 2006, 09:11:11 AM »

bump

320

General Mach Discussion / Re: What's the best way to determine motor velocity?

« on: April 26, 2006, 09:22:09 PM »

Hey,

OK, Well I put a LED there.  What's next?  How do we tie it into a user defined parameter?

Thanks,
Sid