Messages

101

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pendant

« on: January 22, 2011, 04:37:38 PM »

I was thinking a simple device capable of generating programmable keyboard scan codes could do the trick and I don't think response of a mnaul device is all that critical if using it for manul moves for positioning.  Now it you are a virtuoso doing freehand carving via pendant it could be a whole-nuther story.  LOL. 

Just program it to match the same keys you use for manual control at the keyboard. 

102

General Mach Discussion / Pendant

« on: January 21, 2011, 11:53:20 PM »

Ok, the obvious cheap easy pendant is a USB numeric keypad. 

HOWEVER... it might be nice to have something like the MPG pendants with a dial handle, but I think they do it backwards.  Why not something like that, but generating keyboard scan codes via USB rather than taking up an LPT port on the machine.  Seems like a more elegant solution. 

103

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 18, 2011, 01:13:57 PM »

I may, but lately I have been using ViaCad more and more.  I may need to look into another 3d Cad though.  I am starting to run into the limitations of ViaCad.   For most 2D stuff I design it right in CamBam anymore.  Some stuff it doesn't do well, but it makes arcs and lines just fine.  You can even do 2d work and rotate it in 3D to some extent. 

Hi Bob,

I've never checked the accuracy, but if you go to Tools/Options/Workspace/Edit you can change the precision.

If you check it out let us know if it really makes a difference.

104

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 18, 2011, 12:45:58 PM »

I have Corel Draw and I used it briefly for parts designs.  It worked ok, but was limited to .001 precision.  It rounded numbers with a higher precision than that.  For most parts cutting at a precision of .001 is more than adequate, but the problem I found with design was that the error could be cumulative will moving, copying, centering, and other manipulation of drawing elements. 

Now if I could set it (or if I can somebody would tell me how) to about 6 digits of precision while drawing that would be fine.  My machine when freshly adjusted only does about .001 precision and .0005 repeatability anyway. 

Yes.

I have not used Cut2D but from what I see on their website it has more features then SheetCAM. Seems like downloading the free trial would be the next step. 

It would be interesting to see how well it handles a dxf file created by Corel without the DXFTool. Don't know if you have Corel but if so I would try that before buying the DXFTool.

Just some personal thoughts on CorelDRAW. I use it because we run a printing business as well as a machine shop and have used Corel since version 3 so I am very familiar with it. For graphics work making things like signs and especially for projects with text it's great. However for machining projects that require a high degree of precision I find AutoCAD is a better choice.

Kerry

105

General Mach Discussion / Re: maxnc driven by mach III

« on: January 18, 2011, 12:19:47 PM »

Wow, must have happened in the last year then.  Sorry for the bad info.  I can ask around some of the Phx guys and see if they know anything.  I was just retrofitting one of their machines last spring and exchanged a couple e-mails with them. 

A couple minutes time lapse here... 

Here is their phone number.  480-940-9414  I just called and got ahold of them.  The original company owner has taken the company back over.  The new name of the company is Ximotion pronounces See-motion.  Their new website is:

http://www.ximotion.com/

I specifically asked them if they are honoring warranties from machines sold under the previous ownership and they said if it was under the warranty terms, "Yes we are."

106

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Step Direction Servo Driver Recommendation

« on: January 17, 2011, 12:16:27 PM »

They have aeroplanes nowadays

Seriously though I believe delivery is quick enough but if you are a buy American only guy then your choice is Geckos only I think.

Hood

Not particularly.  I do try to give local companies first crack at my business, but its mainly that it can be entertaining sometimes to get international deliveries.  Customs, carriers etc. 

Bob,

Note that we are carrying the dugongs here: http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/index.php?cPath=62_64

Arturo Duncan
http://cnc4pc.com

Yep, thanks.  I found your site last night when I did a search. 

107

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Step Direction Servo Driver Recommendation

« on: January 17, 2011, 04:12:12 AM »

Looks the pond might be in the way for these guys. 

108

General Mach Discussion / Re: maxnc driven by mach III

« on: January 15, 2011, 10:44:57 PM »

I have a 15cl2 and I can't locate my floppy disks supplied with it. They appear to be out of business so I've been looking for an alternative software to drive the machine.

As far as I know Max NC is still in business and doing fine right here in Arizona.  I traded some e-mails with them earlier this year when I was retrofitting one of their machines.  

109

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Step Direction Servo Driver Recommendation

« on: January 14, 2011, 11:39:34 AM »

I have looked at AMC, Viper 200, and Gecko G320X. 

AMC is way out of my price range for their recommended driver.  ($831 each)

Viper looks good, but Larken is slow to answer questions sometimes, and its still kinda pricey at $229 each. 

Gecko looks good, but the voltage range is marginally close, and Gecko says I would need to build my own protective dump circuit for my application.  Marcus is extremely responsive to questions, and the price is half that of the Viper. 

Who else has a step direction servo driver that I should look at? 

I am working on the retrofit of an old Hurco KMB1 to Mach control.  Anybody need the old servo drivers, control, memory boards etc?  Pretty much all I am saving on the control side is the transformers and the VFD.  Eventually not even the VFD. 

I'm pretty much decided on the US Digital E6-1000 encoders to replace the low res (and falling apart) original encoders. 

Thanks,
Bob

110

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servo Encoder Feedback

« on: December 31, 2010, 02:06:50 PM »

I kinda figured that.  I suppose I should have been more complete in my comment.  I want accurate position control using the encoders, and feedback to provide machine position at anytime.