Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Keyboard input for axis stopped

« on: January 05, 2010, 12:03:59 AM »

Sam

I went thru that obstacle but have found that keyboard input for the axis's is intermittant.  It will work for a while in x-y axis but on z it will move one direction then stop all input for any axis when the z is switched.  Press the red button and the x-y will work again.  The gcode window also changes color when the axis stops.  this is so strange as it was working flawlessly for months.  The mpg flyout will control all axis's all the time.  Trying to run a program shows exaggerated movements with an up and down on the z axis after z move.  I reloaded Mach and have tried several keyboards with the same results.

2

General Mach Discussion / Keyboard input for axis stopped

« on: January 03, 2010, 06:07:37 PM »

I have been just cruising along with .032 with no problems until today when all of a sudden none of the axis controls from the keyboard work but the fly out controls the motors just fine.  Also getting weird readings on the diagnostic screen with several of the port pins not lighting up but the axis works from the flyout.  Any hints on where to solve this problem?

Thanks  Jerre

3

General Mach Discussion / One more attempt at Z zero macro!

« on: December 18, 2009, 02:05:55 PM »

Well I hope the educated Mach3 gurus can put light on ways to accomplish my desire.  I bought the MP2/ZTO from Texas Micro and am working with the developer's assistance.  The ZTO touches off  and resets the Z=0 at the table base.  The problem is that I am machining 3d items which require multiple tool paths using different endmills.  After the first toolpath many times all the surface references on the material have been removed and can't easily be zeroed to the material surface with the new bit.  I know you say I can zero off the table and I know this, but all of my prepurchased 3D models with toolpaths already created were zeroed on the material surface.  I could just make a habit of redoing all the toolpaths to zero on the table surface but hope there is a way to write a macro which will allow a tool touch off to table surface then have an input screen to correct Z=0 to the material thickness.  It would seem that this would be possible with all the user configurations that Mach3 can do.  Has anyone already done this or can guide us to possible ways to accomplish this?

Thanks

Jerre

4

General Mach Discussion / splash screens

« on: December 17, 2009, 10:53:15 AM »

How many splash screens does Mach 3 open with?  I am using .32 release.  I had something weird happen last week where my license code was "forgotten" and I was unbeknown to me sent back to demo mode.  I thought there was something wrong with my Aspire PP and spent several hours trying to figure out the problem.  Finally in exasperation, I checked the About tab to find out I was in demo mode all along.  Each of the 3 splash screens that Mach opens in have the license info in the About tab.  Has this happened to anyone else?

Jerre

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ok, I'm close but not there yet!

« on: September 07, 2009, 10:47:07 PM »

I can't say THANK YOU enough.  Everything seems to be working so far.  I am sure I will have a few more tribulations that will need yur expertise.

Thanks agaiin

Jerre

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ok, I'm close but not there yet!

« on: September 07, 2009, 05:14:51 PM »

Well I'm on my way back to the barn to try some of this out.  I am using 1/4 microstepping on Keling 405 steppers and Keling microstep drives.

I'll let you know what problems I have created.   

Thanks  Jerre

7

General Mach Discussion / Ok, I'm close but not there yet!

« on: September 07, 2009, 05:05:05 PM »

So I am a real newbie and have gone thru the building of a 2 x 5' mill.  I guess that was the easy part because Mach is kicking my butt.  After a number of wonderful crashes where I thought the machine was going to a rodeo, I have it acting civil EXCEPT for it cutting in the mirror image from what is on the screen.  A search of the forum said maybe the X-Y is reversed.  I think I set it up correctly so how do I check or what do I change?  I've been over the homing video several times now and only get a headache from it now.  On another note, I have 1/2 x 10 5 start lead screws on all axes and have it set to 800 pulses in motor tuning.  The size of the cut image doesn't appear to be correct.  How are pulses related to size of cut if at all?  Where have I strayed off the golden path??  Please point me in the correct direction.

Thanks  Jerre