Topics

21

General Mach Discussion / Help in getting a Mach 3 Decal ?

« on: January 27, 2006, 02:30:28 PM »

Anybody here have a source for a decal for Mach 3 ?. I'd like to add one to the front of my control box, to let people who's in charge. And while we're on the subject, how about Gecko decals?

22

General Mach Discussion / Need a quick answer/Please

« on: January 22, 2006, 11:14:03 AM »

Could a spst momentary push button switch the type commonly available at Radio Shack be used as a limit/homing switch?

23

General Mach Discussion / Check My Schematic Please

« on: January 11, 2006, 09:48:24 AM »

I've included a diagram of how I think I should wire my limit switches. I think this is series wiring, but I'm not sure. So can someone who is sure, take a look and advise on changes or the proper way to do it?

24

General Mach Discussion / New Questions from Stringkilla

« on: January 08, 2006, 02:24:55 PM »

Hi guys. Now that I have Mill I have some other questions.
So guys, I watched the video on coordinates and I got that to set up the machine coord's and home coord's I need to have the wired up, correct. So I need help with this wiring diagram. I want to mount a switch at each end of the X and Y axis and one at the top of Z axis. I believe I need to wire the X, and Y switches in series but I'm not sure, since the switches have three lugs. I have four Radio Shack #275-017A switches, rated 125/250 vac. How do I wire them up in series

25

General Mach Discussion / Eureka I've Got Mill

« on: January 07, 2006, 07:18:27 PM »

Gentleman good news. I have finally got my startup issues resolved. I can now move and run G code. I ran trials and then ran a sample code string I made when I first tested. I'd like to thank Vmax, for his kind and non judgmental comments and replies. Barker806, for his great assistance to a whet behind the ear nooby. I still want to continue with our plans to get a Local Group together. And all those who have lent a comment or direction. I love this group. Kudos. I am just a greenhorn, I wired everthing backward and upside down. Even my breakout board and power supply are OK. Next thing is to wire up limit switches and I'm good to go for actually cutting chip. Whoopee!!!!!!!! I still have a few positioning questions, but that's another story. Thank you thank you, thank you

26

General Mach Discussion / Hotkey Keystrokes?

« on: January 04, 2006, 09:07:12 PM »

I have another problem. I know I,m becoming a pest. I really need to know what keystroke's correspond to the number 33 and 34. These are the numbers in the hotkey boxes that control the Z axis jog. It seems in my panic I messed them up and now, I can't find them. I am in dire need. I need HELP.

27

General Mach Discussion / Local Help Group

« on: January 02, 2006, 10:12:33 AM »

Here's an idea. What if some of our members in various regions formed a help system where a member in that region could get live, one to one assistance with his machine issues, giving the time to spare issues also. Take me for example, I am no good at all at electric stuff and sorely need help. In this I admit I'm just dumble stumbling. It causes great frustration and angst. I'm in Southern New Hampshire, only a mile from the Mass. boarder and about three miles from Rockingham Race Park. Now if someone from this region who has successfully put together his machine could meet with me somewhere neutral it would be of great help. Although I enjoy Email and forums the live face to face thing is sometimes worth a month of groping around in the dark. If you know what I mean. What say you any feedback?

28

General Mach Discussion / Breakout Board Operations Questions and Help

« on: January 01, 2006, 05:57:31 PM »

Well I got a breakout board and a power supply from cnc4pc. I followed the directions, ran the wires to the right pins, added the enable switch according to plan. Plugged in the parallel port wire and proceded to make a test of the axis motor set up. Well I plug the power cords to a power strip, turned on the power and----------------------------------- all I got was buzzing. What in the Sam Hill did I do wrong? While doing the wiring I noticed I could have soldered the limit switches directly to the parallel port output. All the Gecko's were wired to it,2,3,4,5,6,7, direction and step. I think I could have just as soon wired the limit wire to pin 1 and been in the same position, but with better results. Anybody venture a solution or help here? I've tested and rewired and tested again still nothing. I guess I'll just go back to basics and let the software guide my machine, still-------------.

29

General Mach Discussion / Confusing Wireing Diagram Questions

« on: December 31, 2005, 06:24:51 PM »

In the Mach 2 manual it shows limit switches wired together with a resistor right, but if you have a breakout board do you still need the resistor? I have a board and I,m unsure. And this board has a diagram that shows a E-stop button just wired up to two terminals, is that all that's necessary for an E stop and breakout board? My board comes from cnc4pc.com. Good board simple schematics, but when you're electrically challenged fear sets in. Any advise and help for a wired up nooby???

30

General Mach Discussion / My Two Cents

« on: December 21, 2005, 05:43:07 PM »

Well, it seems I've jumped in to cnc with my eyes closed, I mean to say, I thought it would be fairly easy to set up a small commercial machine. How wrong I am. I seem to be needing an endless list of items, and I don't think I'm finished buying stuff. Nobody I've worked with, in shops that have cnc machines, ever mentioned anything about breakout boards, MPG's, ModBus (what is that) or that pump thing I keep seeing. So, I purchase Mach 2, then upgrade to Mach 3. I have a screen that doesn't have buttons for Machine Co-Ord's or any of the ones next to it, only the LED's. I get the screen builder and find an empty window with a dropdown box with buttons that show me stuff I can't seem to use. I've been through the PDF manual, and can't understand half of the information contained therein. Oh My God, what have I gotten myself into this time!!!! I'm sorry for this rant but I think I really need some step by step help and advise. Is anyone interested in taking on a real green nooby?