Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: What did I do wrong

« on: March 08, 2010, 06:19:43 PM »

I figured it out. It is the program pcb-gcode that is causing the problem. Sorry for the trouble.

Brent

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: What did I do wrong

« on: March 08, 2010, 10:31:47 AM »

hmmmm that is strange. I will try a reload of Mach3 but I just ran almost the same gcode a day before. I just moved the group over an inch?

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: What did I do wrong

« on: March 08, 2010, 09:32:51 AM »

Here you go.

4

General Mach Discussion / What did I do wrong

« on: March 07, 2010, 07:57:42 PM »

I'm making  some PCBs on my machine, I made a few yesterday and I want to use the whole PCB. However Mach3 on the PC controlling the router is not reading the file correctly and I do not know why?
I have Mach3 installed on my main PC to test the gcode and the same file looks good.
Here is what it is supposed to look like. The blue lines are supposed to be squares.


Here is what the PC controlling the mill is producing.

5

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Need help

« on: January 01, 2010, 08:24:51 PM »

thx

6

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Need help

« on: January 01, 2010, 08:06:15 PM »

I have been playing with LC and I have a question. Do I need the full version to do offsets?

7

LazyCam (Beta) / Need help

« on: December 29, 2009, 02:02:59 PM »

My router has been working great, I have made several PCBs using Eagle and pcb-gcode. I have done some simple engraving in wood nothing fancy just some letters at a constant depth.
What I need help with is making something a little more complicated.
I can get all the DXF files for a simple touch probe here http://www.cognitiveinnovations.com/download.php?view.1
But I have never done anything like this, I know I have to use LazyCAM to get the dxf files into Mach3 but what settings do I use in LazyCAM to produce the item. I have purchased Mach3 but not LazyCAM, will the demo version of LazyCAM do what I need?
I started with the bottom.dxf, I notice the dxf does not have any layers so I'm thinking I will have to create some and move objects into the new layers. Using the bottom.dxf I have made 4 layers, BB, HOLE, PLUG and OUTLINE. I think I'm doing this correctly but I'm not sure. Once I import the new file into LC I can set the layer depth and assign a tool. This is where I'm a little fuzzy, I think I should use my 1/8 end mills, I do have some PCB engraving bits but I do not think they will be effective here. I have some bits I got from Princess Auto that range from 1mm to 3mm that might work.
I would be grateful for any help.

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: another parallel port question

« on: December 02, 2009, 12:35:17 PM »

Sorry I have another one?
Is there a relationship between kernel speed and processor speed? 100K kernel speed requires a minimum CPU of X value?

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: another parallel port question

« on: December 02, 2009, 09:35:47 AM »

I'm using the Wolfgang spindle and I purchased my bits from you Jeff!
I think the WG spindle is 18K+ RPM and I only use it for PCBs. I have a Porter Cable that I will press into service when I start wood working.
I have been setting my XY speed to 30ipm in pcb-gcode.
SmoothStepper, hmmm I should look into one.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: another parallel port question

« on: December 02, 2009, 08:45:53 AM »

So if not really concerned with going fast, the most I have been doing with my machine is PCB routing. So lets say I'm happy with 40ipm. I use 1/10 microstepping with 1/2-10 single start screws. 40 * 20000 = 800000
800000 / 60 =13,333.3...
So my kernel speed is fine at 20k?