Topics

11

General Mach Discussion / PC built exclusively to run a CNC machine

« on: September 23, 2010, 11:27:52 PM »

Does anybody make a PC that is designed solely to run a CNC? I want t buy a PC that doesn't have all of the other crap that you get when you get one from the big box stores. I'd like to have something that can hold up. I have had nothing put PC problems the last two weeks, including a new PC acting up. I'm currently running my old PC to finish a job and I have seen it "stumble" three time in 36 minutes. I need to get something reliable or I will have to replace my current mill.

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General Mach Discussion / How do I switch from Smootstepper to Parallel port????

« on: September 23, 2010, 09:25:42 PM »

I've had about enough of this smoothstepper, I bought a pp card and I can not get the smoothstepper removed. I have downloaded a fresh install of Mach and it still is looking for the smoothstepper. What a persistant thing this smoothstepper is!

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General Mach Discussion / Loosing steps or backlash

« on: September 20, 2010, 11:03:41 AM »

I have a series I ridgid ram that appears to either be loosing steps or has excessive backlash. I'm not too sure where to start. I am machining multiples of the same part, but the inconsistencies vary. One part will be off on the "top" of the part the other on the "bottom". I attached some pics to show the problem. It's hard to see, but in the first picture the bottom is smaller than the top and in the second the opposite, the top is smaller than the bottom.

Here's some further information. I removed the drive belt and installed a dial indicator on the y axis. I then moved the axis and compared the dial indicator reading to the DRO in Mach, typically I had about a .0003 - .0006 difference. But the difference didn't compound, meaning it didn't keep adding up, the axis was always within this difference. Of course I wasn't able to see what happens when the table moves a few inches. I am wondering now if maybe my motors are loosing steps?

14

General Mach Discussion / New problem with Mach

« on: September 13, 2010, 05:22:59 PM »

I managed to cut a few parts correctly. I am starting a new run of parts that I haven't made before. I noticed that my x coordinates are flipped about the y axis. What I mean is I need the first hole at -1.7250,.5250. I need the second hole at 2.6393,-.6377. Mach will drill the first hole at the second holes location. I've checked my g code and it is correct. I didn't change anything in my settings between yesterday and today, but obviously something has happened. Any ideas??

15

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 doing wierd things

« on: September 04, 2010, 10:39:58 PM »

I have a BP Series 1 retorfitted with G203s, PMDX-122 board and running the original motors. My computer is running XP, never hooked to the internet. I use Vcarve Pro for my CAM program. Up until Friday I was using a Smootstepper but I'm tired of  getting the error that SS lost data. I got a parallel board and am running this now. I have noticed that Mach will not be consistent in what it does all of the time. When I load a new program or close a program and load a new program the Reset button will need to be pushed sometimes, but not everytime. Also when I close a program and load a new program X and Y axis will not be set at 0,0 like they were prior to loading the new program. Another problem is when I use the Auto Tool Zero, Mach will somehow have a new X,Y home, the machine doesn't move and the readout on the screenset stays where it was prior to the tool change, but when you hit Cycle Start the machine moves to where it thinks the proper coordinates are. Now these problems have happened with both the SS and parallel port board. I am cutting the same parts over and over and I noticed that one of the parts that I cut is cut incorrectly. The toolpath is running at .006" depth using a 1/4" TiN end mill in aluminum. The part is .500 thick and the edge is smooth, meaning that the machine is capable of repetition.  I use this machine daily and I need to have reliability. What can I do or where should I start looking.

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General Mach Discussion / External Button for Auto Tool Zero

« on: May 20, 2010, 11:21:45 PM »

I finally got my Auto tool zero function for the z axis working. I used the file posted by Hoss machine, which works great. What I would like to do is have a push button installed on the head of my mill that I can push that would trigger the Auto tool zero function. Can this be done?

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Third party software and hardware support forums. / PMDX-122 and Mach 3

« on: January 23, 2010, 04:55:32 PM »

I just installed a PMDX-122 and G203Vs. I'm not really sure of the pins and ports settings that I should be using in Mach 3. I did setup the charge pump on pin 17. Also I setup the X,Y and Z Axis as shown in the manual. I have no movement and I'm not sure if there is another setting that I missed OR if there is an old setting from my previous BOB that I need to remove. Mechanically and electrically I can work things out, but the software side I'm lost. Thanks, Ron

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General Mach Discussion / G04 Dwell Code

« on: November 01, 2009, 01:06:34 AM »

I need to add a little extra time to my G code. I was trying to use G04 Dwell, G04 P3000 (I think this should give a 3 second dwell). When running this in Mach3, the dwell happens, but then doesn't resume the program. What did I do wrong?