Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switching from wincnc to mach3

« on: May 07, 2011, 05:39:29 PM »

I don't remember it crashing during the driver test.

I have even tried un-installing, re-installing. Also have run the driver test more than once.  The driver test looks O.K. not perfectly flat but pretty good.

The strange thing is, This PC worked flawlessly until the harddrive failed. i installed a new HD, Loaded win XP. Optimised for Mach.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switching from wincnc to mach3

« on: May 07, 2011, 10:08:13 AM »

Wincnc is customizeable.
You can create your own screen, custom macro buttons on the screen, etc.. I found a thread a long time ago about that on the cnczone I think.

Price, well I agree Mach3 software is cheaper.

I have a lathe that I use Mach3 on, I love it but there is some kind of quirk where sometimes it will just freeze the computer. The only way out is to press the power button on the pc. I have a custom Lathe screen I created and I thought it was that but, it has happened using the regular lathe screen as well. I even tried a different computer and it happened on that as well. Yes I own a license so it's not an un-licensed copy.

In the 5+ years I have had wincnc, I have MAYBE once had it mess up on me. I have had Wincnc, Bobcad, Solidworks all running on the same pc at the same time, Running a job while Drawing a part in solidworks, then generating G-code with bobcad all while the job kept running in the background.

Not trying to bash Mach3, I really like it, the features, the support forum, i just have trouble with my lathe.

If I could have that kind of reliability in Mach3 I wouldn't hesitate to convert my Hardinge Superslant over to Mach3, probably even my (2) VMC'S too.

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switching from wincnc to mach3

« on: May 06, 2011, 10:38:02 PM »

I have a router with wincnc.
I did try connecting Mach3 to see if it would be better than Wincnc.
I ended up staying with wincnc.
My router has steppers not servos though.

You can get the wincnc manual from here http://www.wincnc.net/ in the manual you can find out where the signals are probably connected.

I would be interested to find out if anyone has done a comparison with Mach3 with a motion controller like the smooth stepper vs. Wincnc.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 turn locks up pc on start-up

« on: September 16, 2010, 11:53:26 PM »

Just to post the cure. A big thank you to Hood! Mach now boots fine and a different problem I was having went away as well!

My Z axis had been loosing position, fairly consistantly. I would put a dial indicator on it while running my parts so i could tell how much to change the wear offset and keep making parts. I had re-calibrated the steps, different drive, different motor (those were steppers) Even converted to a servo.
I reloaded Mach3, Ran ~ 100 parts and my Z axis was spot on! My X axis which is still stepper after ~ 50 parts was off a tiny bit, re-homed and all was well.

Thank you,
Eric

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 turn locks up pc on start-up

« on: August 24, 2010, 08:00:47 AM »

Thanks Hood,
I will try that. It is strange that it only seems to happen with the custom screen.

 

Eric

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 turn locks up pc on start-up

« on: August 24, 2010, 06:43:04 AM »

Hi Hood,
I am using 3.042.032

Thank you,
Eric

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 turn locks up pc on start-up

« on: August 23, 2010, 08:42:42 PM »

Here is my xml and my screen.

It does seem to run fine with the original screen, I just have a lot of time in to my screen getting it the way I wanted it.

Thanks,
Eric

18

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 turn locks up pc on start-up

« on: August 21, 2010, 09:31:16 PM »

Please help, I am using a custom screen so that may be the problem I do not know. It used to work fine but this pc's hard drive died a while ago and ever since I replaced the hard drive I have had problems with mach3.
 
Most times when I try to start My session of Mach3 turn it will show the splash scren, then load the lathe screen, and then the pc locks up. I can only turn off the pc by holding the power button in for 3 seconds and then re-trying the whole frustrating process again! Once it finally starts It seems stable.

thanks for any ideas,
Eric

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turn + Threading problems

« on: February 14, 2010, 11:22:34 PM »

I Have 032 and was trying a thread a coupe days ago. The thread worked but it didn't look great. Do you guys know if  this version has threading issues? If so, where can I get 033?

Thanks.
Eric

20

Tangent Corner / Re: Man Gifts.

« on: January 11, 2010, 07:48:05 AM »

Hey tweakie,
I like the Man drill but, from you I would have at least expected a laser sight on it!
 

Eric