Messages

131

General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis isn't working

« on: October 08, 2013, 05:50:14 PM »

"The manuals make frequent reference to setting A-axis to Rotary but nowhere can I find where that is at. I am using R3 revision of the software, which is relatively new I think. I am wondering if this new version eliminated the A-axis to Rotary setting or put in some place other than the General Configuration page."


On the General Config. Page - A Axis is Angular.  Top left of page.
John Champlain

132

General Mach Discussion / Re: Delay between lines of code

« on: October 08, 2013, 03:47:00 PM »

Do you have a too slow acceleration setting?
John Champlain

133

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer OS opinions please

« on: October 08, 2013, 02:43:40 PM »

Regardless of which computer you decide upon, get the SmoothStepper now.  It runs much, much better than a PP.
John Champlain

134

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Visual Studio 2008-2013

« on: October 07, 2013, 05:08:30 AM »

 

"wow
transitive verb
: to impress or excite (someone) very much"

Most assuredly, congratulations.  You have a rare talent for GUI design.
John Champlain

135

General Mach Discussion / Re: USB usage

« on: October 06, 2013, 08:11:35 AM »

Another USB option is the UC-100 from CNC4PC (http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=481)

I have one in service and another on order.  I also have and use a USB SmoothStepper. 

The UC-100 is simpler to install and use IMO, but the SS is more versatile. 

Regards,
John Champlain

136

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Visual Studio 2008-2013

« on: October 06, 2013, 08:02:40 AM »

Jason,
WOW! (admittedly a totally inadequate utterance).

My congratulations, sir, on an outstanding work.
John Champlain

137

General Mach Discussion / Re: UC100 - Problems getting Mach 3 to talk to the mill

« on: October 04, 2013, 03:54:04 PM »

Has your mill ever run?  Was it new or used?  If M3 is moving on screen, and the green and blue light are on on the UC-100, then it sounds like your cnc controller drive may be at fault.  I suggest you test with another computer with a parallel port.
John Champlain

138

General Mach Discussion / Re: Smooth Stepper questions

« on: October 02, 2013, 11:15:40 PM »

"I was beginning to think at 63 I was to old to play with these things."

jimglass, you may be - someday, but you've got a ways to go yet.
Enjoy,
John Champlain (73)

139

General Mach Discussion / Re: viewport stopped displaying toolpath (Older mach 3 version)

« on: October 01, 2013, 05:16:54 PM »

I don't know the cause, but it may help to diagnose if you post what M3 version is being used.
John Champlain

140

General Mach Discussion / Re: UC100 - Problems getting Mach 3 to talk to the mill

« on: September 29, 2013, 04:11:44 PM »

JNieman,
I'm now sitting at my UC-100 setup, and in M3 Ports and Pins >Port#1>Port Enabled is unchecked, as are all other settings on that page. The port numbers are irrelevant since you are using a USB connection.

In Motor Outputs, you need to have Step and Direction pins properly assigned, and Step and Dir Ports set to #1.

I have Kernel Speed set at 65,000, but I'm not sure it is effective with the UC-100.

On the UC-100, you should have both a green and a blue LED lighted up steadily.

Under M3>PlugIn Control, you should see "UC100 In/Out monitor", and clicking on it should open the UC-100 monitor.  

I have Max step rate set to 50 kHz, and Index Prescale set to 1 (don'[t know what this is).

The Time counter should be rapidly changing in value.

Using the jog keys you should see some activity indicators change color as you jog the axes, and the X/Y/Z position values changing.

You should also see some color changes in Pin state monitors on the left side of the monitor page as you jog.

If your setup is different, then that's where you should focus attention,  I think.

John Champlain