Messages

881

General Mach Discussion / Joystick and keyboard @ same time?

« on: October 13, 2009, 06:00:34 PM »

I just installed a logitech gaming controller. I used Art's plugin.
First I can move x & Y on the mill or X & z on the lathe. But not x, y & z. Can I have all?
Also my keyboard doesnt jog the machines while the plugin is active?

882

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling Problem - Help Needed

« on: October 13, 2009, 12:11:58 PM »

Find Hood or Tweakie here on the forum. They seem to be quite experienced. Good Luck

883

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling Problem - Help Needed

« on: October 13, 2009, 10:01:42 AM »

That figure I provided sounds low. I run 8000 steps per unit. Can you measure travel of the table only using 1 revolution of the pulley on the stepper (even manually)? While not under power?

884

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling Problem - Help Needed

« on: October 13, 2009, 09:46:42 AM »

Sorry I wont know the equation for the belt system but your steppers are at 400 steps now not including the travel part of the equation. But with some crude and probably incorrect figuring, I come up with about a 6 to 1 ratio on your pulleys (I could be wrong here). This is only a guess 200 steps x 2 (1/2 steps) x 6 (reduction gear) I would plug in 2400 steps per unit and test the movement. Just change 1 axis and check it. You can always go back.

885

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling Problem - Help Needed

« on: October 13, 2009, 08:40:02 AM »

It sounds like your steps per unit is incorrect. What pitch is your leadscrew? how many steps on your steppers? and what microstep did you select? These are what will affect the differences in travel from what I understand.

886

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbee

« on: October 13, 2009, 08:35:17 AM »

Forutnately/Unfortunately there are quite a few videos. I watched some of them when I had no answers and it helped with problems that were about to arise LOL that I wasnt aware of. I didnt want the info it just happened to be applicable. At least your steppers are powered up correctly or it sounds right. What kind of machine did you purchase? Do you know what size steppers? For example my Sherline mill I am running 8000 steps, velocity of 24, accel of 5 and step pulse 1 and direction 0. Not that this will be the ultimate end all setting, but it is pretty accurate for what I know as of now. I am not a machinist just lucky enough to acquire and start to use some cnc stuff. The continuous mental challenges are what interest me I think. Most of my problems seem to be more related with how to hold the piece to the work surface.

887

General Mach Discussion / Re: Canned cycles?

« on: October 13, 2009, 08:18:36 AM »

After looking at your example further, I would think it would would move 10 units in/mm? once and then .01 once is that right? Does it stay at .01 til some other code is selected? Had the line G91 G00 X10 been the last line it would have moved in 10 unit increments instead of .01 increments repeatedly?

888

General Mach Discussion / Re: Canned cycles?

« on: October 13, 2009, 08:12:02 AM »

Thanks for the reply. So G91 is an incremental code? The way it was written here means it will cut an additional .01 for each pass in the x axis? What tells it to stop at a specific point? Can G91 be used on both planes at the same time? G00 is the calling up of the subprogram?

889

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbee

« on: October 13, 2009, 12:34:08 AM »

Believe me I am as lost you but further down the curve at this moment. Tired and cross eyed from reading in the wee hours yet? Anyway. reset is not flashing? Have you set up an E switch and is it really hooked up? I suffered grounding issues that would trigger a stoppage with no visible signs. But that lets hope that is not the issue. Really look thru the ports and pins and motor settings. Do your steppers resist your turning them by hand when the machine is powered up? I have minimal to no experience and I do notice more as I look thru all of the options on the toolbars to Mach. Have you watched the videos? The ones I have watched have helped. Regarding limits and homing and such.

890

General Mach Discussion / Canned cycles?

« on: October 13, 2009, 12:26:31 AM »

I am just starting out in cnc. I have been converting a Sherline mill and lathe to cnc. It is all running fine, accuracy seems very acceptable considering its size and my general use/ needs. Patience more than anything will help with something so small. Plus inexpensive and as a learning tool easy to repair. Anyway I have run plenty of single lines of code in the MDI screen. I have also run drawings via BobCad and such but never have I run a code that keeps cutting til a specific point. I want to make a vise like (Tryally) on youtube uses. It is a simple L. I have made it approx 7" long a 4" wide. It is squared and flycut level but I did it all individually via MDI. Just trying to side mill at the moment. How would I get the machine to say go?
Y1
X0
X5
Y3
y1.01
X0
X5.01
y3
y1.02
etc?
I just want it to cut an .01?  additional amount each pass with no intervention from me until a specified point or width is reached. I am guessing that is what a canned cycle is. Any help is greatly appreciated. Not really corcerned about the .01 as much as the formula etc.