Messages

261

General Mach Discussion / Re: Selecting number of "instances" of a program (hard to describe in a subject)!

« on: July 03, 2012, 09:55:09 PM »

Have you looked at the Nesting Wizard included with Mach3?  I use it to make 4 parts at a time, although without tool changes.
Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

262

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question on digital outputs in Mach3

« on: June 08, 2012, 02:13:30 PM »

Another option would be to set up a non-existent C axis and use the C direction pin to trigger your solenoid.  A C minus value would turn on the solenoid and a C plus value would turn it off.  It all depends on which way is easier for you and your gcode generator/processor.
Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

263

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: May 31, 2012, 06:25:55 PM »

Thanks Tweakie - much appreciated.  I'm glad PicDither is useful.

BTW, as we discussed, PicDither is now posted on eBay.

My Best Regards, Friend,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

264

General Mach Discussion / Re: version download

« on: May 22, 2012, 11:39:30 PM »

Gregg,
Ver. 062 works very well for me (1 watt 445 laser diode).

Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

265

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cuts uneven when it's cutting arcs

« on: May 21, 2012, 06:03:07 PM »

Sorry,
Can't help with that - I don't have an I phone.

On your machine, can you detect any movement when you try to "wiggle" a bit in the spindle by hand?  Also, are you climb-cutting?
These two things may explain your issue.

Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

266

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cuts uneven when it's cutting arcs

« on: May 21, 2012, 08:38:03 AM »

Spencer,
Can you post the gcode, or a portion of it if it is a large file?

Will help to diagnose your problem.

Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

267

General Mach Discussion / Re: help

« on: May 20, 2012, 08:38:29 PM »

Hood,
I just tried Daniel's XML on my development machine running Ver. 062, and a G0 X300 command runs at the speed set by the FRO slider.  It most assuredly is not running at the XML set velocity of 1500 (IIRC) units/min.  With my standard XML and the 1024 screen, it does not respond to FRO speed.  Something is wrong, IMO, with Daniel's XML.

Best to All,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

268

General Mach Discussion / Re: stepped motor soft start

« on: May 05, 2012, 06:19:19 PM »

If you are running full step mode (200 steps = 1 full revolution of the stepper motor shaft), that may be your problem.  Your drives should be capable of microstepping - most are.  Try setting them to 1/2 or 1/4 microstep and adjust your 'steps per' in Mach3 to match.  The steppers should then run smoother and quieter.

Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

269

General Mach Discussion / Re: stepped motor soft start

« on: May 01, 2012, 09:00:34 PM »

Are you using microstepping or full step?
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

270

General Mach Discussion / Re: issues with PCB milling - newbie

« on: April 30, 2012, 10:49:43 AM »

Thomas,
Consider posting where you live if you don't have reason not to do so, and perhaps there may be a more experienced member nearby who can visit and help you.  It really sounds as though you need a good mechanic, not software users, to help you first.

Regards,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com
Florida