Messages

131

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet Smooth stepper and The PMDX-126

« on: February 08, 2017, 04:01:20 PM »

Hi, Do you know what advantages the PMDX-126 board has over the CM-106 ?
I'm also converting my Boxford TCL160 so I wouldn't mind if you shared information re using the tool turret.
Regards
George
[/quote]

Hi George how are you getting on with your conversion?  I am looking at starting a similar project (Boxford TCL125), are you UK based?  I may need some direction :/

Steve

[/quote]
Hi Steve, just re-located to Scotland having now retired.
Did you get your machine up and running yet.
I have resurrected my TCL160 and will now attempt to finish the project.
I'm using ESS Smooth stepper with CM106 break out board.
Already I'm asking lots of configuration questions.
I notice that my Spindle motor has two Light blue wires marked 11 & 12 disappearing into its harness and into the motor, I don't know what these are do you ?

George

132

General Mach Discussion / Re: Upgrade liscence.

« on: February 01, 2017, 11:42:05 AM »

Q3:-  Will Mach4 have 'Machturn' option as does Mach3 or will I have to stay with Mach3 for Lathe operations. ?

- Mach4 Turn is Fanuc style gcode and supposedly follows Smid Books on CNC.
- Have a look at the lathe code for Mach 4 as it is different and   has other additional codes , etc  offered as compared to Mach3.
- Art Soft site provides a comparison of different versions.
- Some lathe features require a different version of MAch4.
- Mach4 uses a different programing language and any Macros, screen sets,
  from Mach3 don't transfer over to Mach4.

I have not followed Mach 4 for a some time now. So not a very good resource for the current status of Mach 4 Lathe nor supporting hardware.

Update to Mach 4 or use MAch3 is a decision only you can make.

Mach 3 lathe can certainly do a lot as is and you may want use it to
get familar with using the cnc lathe especialy if it currently works.

Mach3 lathe screen leaves something to be desired  ( my personal opinion ) there are a few options for using other screen sets. Personally my custom screen set is used and works as i want it to and provides many nice features.

just some comments on the question,

RICH

Thanks Rich,
I'll stick with Mach3 Turn.
I just need to get all my ports and pins set for Spindle control.

Appreciate your comments.

George

133

General Mach Discussion / Re: Upgrade liscence.

« on: February 01, 2017, 11:39:23 AM »

Q4:-  Are any tutorials available for the general use of Mach Turn ?

Go to the new Artsoft site
http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/

Under Help & Learning you will see Videos & Tutorial click on it.
When the next screen appears click on the Artsoft Video Tutorials.
From the next appearing screen, on the left side list, click on
Introduction to Turn.

It's not a video, but suggest you read / study the Using Mach3Turn Manual.

If your installing Mach3 Turn suggest you install version 062 and not 066.

You may also want to see what's available on You Tube.

RICH

Thanks Rich. 062 loaded and up and running on the test bench. ESS now configured and working.
I now need to know which two pins on my CM106 BOB will output 0-5VDc to my VFD. Then I need to find the correct Ports & Pins config.

George

134

General Mach Discussion / Upgrade liscence.

« on: January 31, 2017, 02:51:20 PM »

I have and use a licensed Version of Mach3, along with licensed Wizards
Q1:-  can this be transferred to Mach4 or do I need to buy a new licence ?
Q2:-  I have now unearthed my Boxford TCL160 Lathe, having now retired and moved to Scotland.  :-) Hooray!
Q3:-  Will Mach4 have 'Machturn' option as does Mach3 or will I have to stay with Mach3 for Lathe operations. ?
Q4:-  Are any tutorials available for the general use of Mach Turn ?
I'm using ESS Smoothstepper with a CM106 breakout board , Mach3 + Plugin and SCU have been run and seem to be Ok but a bit quirky so more questions to come


Regards to all.

George

135

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet Smooth stepper and The PMDX-126

« on: August 20, 2015, 09:14:57 AM »

Hi Steve, not what you want to hear, I'm about to move house with everything boxed up for transit so my conversion is 'on hold' for now i'm afraid.
I will bear you in mind for some exchange once the project is anyway again. Meanwhile, good luck with yours.

Regards

George

136

General Mach Discussion / Re: This cut is as bad as it gets

« on: June 01, 2015, 05:23:33 AM »

Thanks Chris,

I bought some nice new 6 and 8mm 2 flute Hi-Helix 45° cutters.
On the same material as before I managed to pocket a 52mm dia hole 16mm deep.
Feed was 400mm per minute at 1mm deep. I never been that brave before.
Hood suggested that my machine looks as though it should cope with 2mm depth per pass so I may try that next.

I still think that 2100rpm on the spindle is a bit slow so I might consider making a new pulley to up the speed to around 4,000.

Regards

George

137

General Mach Discussion / Re: This cut is as bad as it gets

« on: May 20, 2015, 06:37:02 AM »

I was a bit reluctant with any more than 0.5 depth of cut. I really would like to cut at 2mm per pass as otherwise it takes ages. But then again its not a race!
The mill is a bench mill but I thought it would be rigid enough for what I'm doing. ?
Perhaps my cutter wasn't the sharpest, I will give 2mm a test when I buy myself some new 2 flute hi helix cutters.
As for the material, I'm unsure. It came from the junk box.
Looks like I have a lot to learn!!

I appreciate all comments.

George

138

General Mach Discussion / Re: This cut is as bad as it gets

« on: May 20, 2015, 03:49:33 AM »

Thanks Wes,

Maximum spindle speed is 2100rpm

I was climb milling this part and was Misting using a parafin mister. I was clearing the chips away with a brush,

I'll try 'Conventional milling' next. and double the feed to 20 inches per minute.

George

139

General Mach Discussion / Re: This cut is as bad as it gets

« on: May 19, 2015, 05:16:45 PM »

That's a jolly good question.
I never considered that. I'm assuming it's turned in the same direction as it always did. It's a 240Vac motor driven spindle.

George

140

General Mach Discussion / This cut is as bad as it gets

« on: May 19, 2015, 03:45:03 PM »

I could use some help sorting this out. Please don't ridicule me at the poor state of this test cut, I really want to get this right.

Details as follows.
6mm 3 flute cutter running at 2100rpm
Feed rate is 250mm per minute
Pass depth of cut 1/2mm
Coolant used is 'Parafin' misting.

So why all the burring

I ran a file across the top of the job for the second picture.

Any helpers

George