Messages

61

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with transfer to new PC

« on: December 15, 2014, 01:26:33 PM »

I've had that happen before when swapping computers with the spindle.  I use a screen set that has a button for dust collection and vac bed.  Try clicking one of those.  They just control different relays on the board so you may find that your spindle is now your vac bed.  So just change things around in general config.  Why  it does that I don't know.

62

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with transfer to new PC

« on: December 15, 2014, 12:25:14 PM »

Is your spindle being controlled by a different relay now?

is the keyboard plugged in ? 

Is the cable from the computer to the machine seated all the way?

63

General Mach Discussion / acceleration values question

« on: December 15, 2014, 12:13:33 PM »

So I'm currently running a machine that has factory set velocity/accel values at 750/45, 750/45, 750/20 for the x, y, and z axes, respectively.  I am trying to increase the quality of my v carving by adjusting down the acceleration values as the mechanical properties of the machine have changed (i.e. the z axis has multiple heads and weighs more than it originally did).  Say I keep the velocity values the same but go down to 10 for each axis.  Do I have to reboot the computer in order to avoid losing steps on these stepper motors?  I adjusted them and I like the smoothness of the movement, but I have lost position in the z axis twice today.  Any insight as to adjusting acceleration values resulting in lost steps?

Thanks,
Bill

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit the MINIMUM feed rate

« on: December 13, 2014, 09:41:31 AM »

Thanks a million, this should work!   Just not real familiar with VBscript.

Bll

65

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit the MINIMUM feed rate

« on: December 09, 2014, 08:20:06 AM »

Also, I don't use a screenset that has a slider

66

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit the MINIMUM feed rate

« on: December 09, 2014, 08:07:19 AM »

Ok So apparently that sets the actual feed rate to 80.  Since most of our toolpaths run at 100ipm, 80% is 80 ipm.  but when I tested it, it just sets the actual feed rate to 80 ipm and is overridden by the next line of code that sets the feed rate.  So apparently that idea doesn't work.  how does the macro pump value work idea work?

67

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit the MINIMUM feed rate

« on: December 09, 2014, 07:45:11 AM »

What I came up with is edit the FRO down button to just set the feed rate at 80.  So they could hit that and it would go to the minimum, then back up to 90 or 100.  Thanks for the ideas.

68

General Mach Discussion / Limit the MINIMUM feed rate

« on: December 08, 2014, 12:25:03 PM »

Ok so I have operators in my shop that want to slow the machines down too far for certain jobs.  Is there a way to limit how far down you can turn the feed rate?  I want them to be able to turn it down to 80%, but no farther than that.  Then the job just takes too long.  I've tried explaining this to the operators, but they don't get it, they continue to do this. 

69

General Mach Discussion / Machine/File Runs faster than normal/Machine jerks

« on: September 02, 2014, 06:52:34 AM »

Hey guys,

So I have a few CNC routers where I run the same files.  All use Mach3, all are the same brand of router, all use copies of the exact same files.  Last week I had one machine running a file in 8:55 where the same file being run on another machine was running in 11:55.  The machine with the faster run time was really jerking around pretty hard.  When I slowed it down to 70% feed rate, it was getting about the same run time as the other machine.  The jerking was still present, but slower.  It really had an effect on carving quality as we do V carving of signs.  I'm wondering what would cause a machine to start acting that way.  I swapped the computer out with a different computer and it seems to be back to running normal again.  So what in the computer could be causing it to act like that?  Could it be a bad CMOS battery?  That's my only theory.

70

General Mach Discussion / Re: Part Counter/Limiter

« on: July 31, 2014, 08:47:17 AM »

What about making a counter where you enter the amount you want to run, it counts down instead of up, and once it reaches zero, it turns a blinking red light on??