Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 10, 2011, 07:55:36 AM »

Will do, Thanks for the input

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 08:51:10 PM »

I forgot to mention that Dave says in the instructions to try running the settings at the pots @ 70%, which would be about 2 1/4 amps or .30 VDC. He says the steppers will run much cooler at that setting. Thats what I think they are set at now. Do you think I should increase that?

Thanks Mike

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 07:41:20 PM »

May be an idea to contact Dave at Hobby CNC to get the instructions on how it is measured (location of test point) and setting up the stepper drive current. I am guessing that if you can increase the motor torque it should solve your problem.

In my book you do not need lube on the screws with delrin nuts (the wood dust sticks to the lube and it just makes things worse).

Tweakie.

I know how to adjust the current on the board. It's at the Potentiometers. The label on the steppers says 3A, which is 3 amps. Should I have the board adjusted for 3 amps then ? The pots is  where you adjust the board current. By increasing the voltage to .42VDC at the pots, the instructions say will give you 3 amps.   

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 03:05:38 PM »

Thank's for the help Tweakie. I did that and he said to slow down the acelleration to give the board time to wake up. Seems like it helped. One thing I noticed that forgot  to do was set motor tuning for the A which is slaved to the X.

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 10:37:07 AM »

I'm running Dumpster leadnuts(Delrin) and will be cutting wood. What would be the best lube to use on the screws?

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 09, 2011, 09:28:40 AM »

Just a shade over 24V. I haven't changed the current and don't know how. I had someone from CNCzone suggest possibly turning up the acceleration.

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: First test on new machine build question

« on: January 08, 2011, 11:11:52 PM »

I posted over at CNC Zone and someone suggested that it could be "Idle Current Protection". Sure enough my board comes with it set at 50%. This is the board I'm using: http://www.hobbycnc.com/products/hobbycnc-pro-chopper-driver-board-kits/

38

General Mach Discussion / First test on new machine build question

« on: January 08, 2011, 06:31:18 PM »

Just got my new 3' x 5'  3- axis leadscrew machine all hooked up with Mach3. I was jogging the different axis and noticed a couple of things. It seems to be running nice and smooth, so I think all components are adjusted fairly close. The A-axis is slaved with  X, and noticed sometimes when I first hit the jog button on the X-axis, the steppers seem to stall at first, no matter where the gantry is on the X screws. Then when I hit the button again it takes off and runs smooth. It only does it after it sits for a minute or so. After I get it going it seems fine, even if I reverse direction. As long as I keep it going it's fine, but when I leave it sit for a short period, it will stall at first.
  Also, I am new to CNC and not real sure what the steppers should sound like. I noticed that the Y-axis stepper seems to have a higher pitched sound than the others. Is that normal. It seems to be running very smooth though. The machine has 1/2 x 10 Acme (single start) on the X and 3/8 x 10 on the Y and Z. It's running 305 steppers. I tried slowing down accel and velocity and didn't help. I know it's something real simple, maybe just a fine adjustment somewhere. I'm hoping the CNC vets will share their wisdom with me.

Thank's Mike

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: What does the "To Go" button do?

« on: December 03, 2010, 06:26:14 PM »

Sorry I was a little confusing.

In Vcarve I use the bottom left corner as my home position when I draw up parts.  So I jog my z to that position on my work and lower the z to almost touch the work.  Then press the Zero x,y,z.

I have all the buttons under the DRO display turned off. I do not use home switches. I played with the “Go To” once and the z when off on it own so have not played with it again. (I too will have to do some reading, I think I should have the soft limits turn on.)

After you position your z axis to the home position on your work, pushing the zero x,y,x tell Mach3 that is the home position to start from.  After your part is cut Mach 3 will move your x,y,z back to your start position. 

If anyone sees me giving the wrong info, please jump in and correct.

I'm new to CNC also, and this post and replies was very helpful to me. Now I think I know how to set my machine up to get started.


Thanks Mike 

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: No motor movememt

« on: November 24, 2010, 06:08:51 PM »

Thank's for the help Hood