Messages

1041

General Mach Discussion / Re: Grizzly G0519 to a CNC

« on: July 30, 2009, 11:58:23 AM »

FWIW . . Digging for a different old project, I came across this page on the RC heli design I mentioned. From October of 2003.

Man, do I ever miss flying these things!

http://www.thecubestudio.com/helipage.htm

1042

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer Load Vs Hardware.. Smooth stepper etc.

« on: July 30, 2009, 11:37:39 AM »

Multi threading is the thread split between two or more processors, yes? Mach's single process opens a half dozen threads, but that doesn't mean it is multi threaded, as in parallel processing of the same task by 2, 4, 8, or perhaps 4,000 processors simultaneously.

My multi threaded software, 3ds MAX and Adobe Premiere CS for example, open new processes when multi threaded operations start up (rendering, etc). The two processors can clearly be seen chugging away via the processor usage windows in task manager. So far, I have never seen Mach use more than one processor, even when it has one of them pegged.

Not everything can be multi threaded.  I don't see how multi threading serial communications has any benefit since it is serial in nature and multi threading is parallel in nature. True multi threading requires an operation that can be divided into discreet pieces that can execute in parallel using independent data . .  at least that is what we were told by the software engineers at Autodesk . . . .  I was a dealer for Autodesk many moons ago and flew to California for training more times than I care to remember. For muti threading a different compiler was used and therefor the processes are kept separate. Maybe that is different today, back then they were not using the MS compiler yet . . . . or  . . .  perhaps I am not remembering it correctly.

I recall that SS uses a driver (plug-in) and uses the USB buss, but what does Mach do with ethernet?

What is a 'vector Drive' that sounds interesting.

1043

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dwell question

« on: July 30, 2009, 10:53:29 AM »

Next to the big red reset button on the Mach screen is a smaller button that says G-code. Try that one out.

1044

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer Load Vs Hardware.. Smooth stepper etc.

« on: July 30, 2009, 10:29:46 AM »

Jeff,

You must be using something special, then. When I run .026 of Mach, only one new process opens, even when the toolpath is active.

In any case, an application opening multiple processes is not the same thing as being multi threaded.


I can't comment on serial communication as I do not have any running with mach. Presumably you are referring to modbus?

1045

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer Load Vs Hardware.. Smooth stepper etc.

« on: July 30, 2009, 05:56:44 AM »

If you are running w2K or XP, and you have dual processors (real, virtual or core), you can set the affinity and priority of each process. If you put MACH on one processor and any other heavy program on the other and set MACH priority to real-time, the OS will make every other running process wait on MACH, effectively making Mach the only program running (excepting memory use).

Other things to look at are using the drivertest to see how fast your computer can run the port. Note this doesn't mean the software can actually keep up with that speed.

The big thing it to get the task manager up and watch the CPU usage while Mach is running. If the CPU pegs, you're dead meat. A huge buffer is not useful if you are pumping garbage into the front of it.

Also note that not all processors are the same. I am using an old dual P3 processor server to run Mach. With no overclock, the processors run at only 850mhz. Mach is not multi threaded so one processor runs it without breaking a sweat whereas a 1.2ghz VIA chip would peg if you moved the mouse while Mach was runing g-code.

Disable your network while mach is runing and re-enable it to move files around. Use great caution with wireless networks. I find that for tiny g-code files, a thumb drives works beautifully as a transfer/backup mechanism.

1046

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 motor configuration

« on: July 30, 2009, 05:38:17 AM »

Make sure you do not have a printer driver installed.

If your mouse is compatible enough (most are) you can remove any special mouse drivers that came with the mouse, and it will still fuction, albeit perhaps without whatever 'special features' it might have had.

If you are getting some kind of unthrottled poling of the parallel port or the mouse port which is disrupting Mach, then unistalling the drivers might clear up the problem.

1047

General Mach Discussion / Re: Grizzly G0519 to a CNC

« on: July 27, 2009, 07:45:50 PM »

You may want to rethink the mill you are selecting for the work you want to do.

For several years I built and flew RC helicopters, eventually designing and building my own control schemes. So I am familiar with the carbon fiber sheeting you plan to cut and what you need is a router, not a big mill.

Even an X3 would be overkill for making RC heli parts. You might consider getting a smaller and more accurate mill and look into a high speed spindle, or plan on hanging a high speed spindle outboard on the head.

For small cutters, I have a block to mount my Dumore die grinder spindle on the mill head. I think it is in the 28,000 RPM neighborhood. My mill spindle tops out around 7,000 . . . great for cutting aluminum, but not fast enough for routing.  

1048

General Mach Discussion / Re: high speed problem...

« on: July 27, 2009, 07:19:19 PM »

There is a parameter within CV settings that allows you to set a specific angle where CV will kick out and you will get sharp corners.

Note that I have not used this particular fix and there are numerous things within Mach that do not work exactly as planned, but it's worth a shot since this feature was specifically designed to solve the problem you are having.

1049

General Mach Discussion / Re: In constant velocity mode but seems like exact stop!

« on: July 27, 2009, 07:14:28 PM »

If your feedrate is high and you are using backlash comp, the motion will 'jerk' whenever the direction changes.

Just something else to check . . .

1050

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: July 27, 2009, 07:04:17 PM »

That plan is Outrageous! Despicable!  Sneaky and Underhanded!

 . . . . I like it . .