Messages

491

General Mach Discussion / Re: Power Supply Unit

« on: January 20, 2011, 03:22:02 PM »

You can probably buy an unregulated power supply with toroidal transformer from Keling for less than what you can build it for.  He has a 38V, 15A for $139. 

492

General Mach Discussion / Re: Config Question

« on: January 20, 2011, 01:54:46 PM »

     2. It was working well with M3/M4 and M5, but had the 500ms delay at the beginning.

Under ports and pins / spindle setup, you can set the spin up/down delay to what ever you want.  We set it to 0 for plasma cutting.

493

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 18, 2011, 12:26:14 PM »

My 1st point was that the only folks who ever really need 2D contouring exclusively are plasma users.  It doesn't take long for a router user to realize that their machine can do a whole lot more than just cut 2D contours.   You're right, Vectric does not advertise Cut2D for plasma.  In fact, they will tell you that it's not suitable for plasma at all when the only thing needed to make it suitable is a lead in/out function.  My 2nd point was that if they did add lead in/out they would sell more copies to plasma users than router users.

I'm not bashing them.  I like their software and was very disappointed that I couldn't use it.  I understand from a marketing perspective why Leads are not included in Cut2D, but really, this is a basic function when it comes to contouring.

494

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 18, 2011, 08:51:50 AM »

Cut2D does not have a lead in/out feature, which makes it virtually useless for contouring, unless you're OK with start and stop divits.  Doesn't make much sens as they advertise the software for contouring.  Sheetcam is a much better option.  It is far more flexible than Cut2D.

I agree and think SheetCam is a much better option here but to be fair Cut2D does have a 'ramp plunge' option which does prevent 'divits' (assuming you have a machine with minimal to zero backlash of course).

Tweakie.

Depends on what you're using it for.  I think most people who have a CNC router have more in mind for their machine than just simple contouring.  The only machine that is really made JUST for contouring is plasma, laser or waterjet and those operation require a lead in/out.  Ramp plunge won't do anything there.  I think Cut2D is basically a low priced "get-you-in-the-door" program to make new router users realize they need more.  If they added lead in/out capability, they would probably develop a loyal plasma user group.

I also tried it for contouring MDF on a router and while ramp plunge was better than a straight plunge, the entry/exits were not as clean as a arc ramp in/out.

IMO, if you need 2D profiling and pocketing only, go with Sheetcam.  It's more powerful and cheaper than Cut2D.  If you need 3D feature machining and v-carving go with V-Carve Pro.  V-Carve Pro is basically ArtCAM Pro at a fraction the cost.  I can't figure out how they were able to knock off ArtCAM so closely without raising some eyebrows unless (1) Vectric was formed as a "low end" division of ArtCAM as to not devalue their premier product or (2) The guys at Vectric had some ownership in ArtCAM and were able to leave and take their ideas with them without a non-compete.
 

495

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 17, 2011, 09:42:49 AM »

I will say tho, that CorelDRAW is so much easier to use than BobCad V21 for drawing out the plans.

Corel is a graphic arts program, not a CAD program.  You can jump through some hoops to get an acceptable DXF output but personally, I find it much easier to just use the right tool for the job.  I have AutoCAD, Rhino, Corel and Illustrator.  My order of preference for CAD drawing would be Rhino, AutoCAD and finally (reluctantly) Illustrator.  Notice I didn't mention Corel.  I despise Corel.  The only reason I have it is so that if someone sends me a Corel file that won't import into anything else, I can open it and export it as something that will.  i think I've used it twice in three years.

496

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and CorelDRAW.

« on: January 17, 2011, 09:16:25 AM »

Hi,

My company is going to purchase Vectric Cut2D.  Would it be wise to bundle our package and get the Cut2D and Cut3D?   What would be the big advantage to Cut3D?  The difference in price is $250.00.

TIA for any information.

LB

Cut2D does not have a lead in/out feature, which makes it virtually useless for contouring, unless you're OK with start and stop divits.  Doesn't make much sens as they advertise the software for contouring.  Sheetcam is a much better option.  It is far more flexible than Cut2D.

497

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Read All !!! Stupid Save Function

« on: January 16, 2011, 12:11:02 PM »

As well as using save as, I also save everything I enter in VB editor in the separate text file. 

498

General Mach Discussion / Re: parallel cable for mach 3 and parallel port... pin out and port info?

« on: January 15, 2011, 01:36:55 PM »

Which part of your system uses a centronics plug.  Never seen that before.  Every controller and BOB I've seen uses DB25 connectors as does the PC.  To answer your question, you should be using a 1:1 cable where pin 1 maps to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2....... pin 25 to pin 25.  If you need a centronics plug on one end, I'm not sure how the DB25 would map to that.

499

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Z floating head

« on: January 14, 2011, 08:41:27 AM »

I have a DRO on screen for the pierce height which is somthing that is usually handled by Sheetcam.  You'll have to tweak the code to fit your application.  You can add a DRO for pierce height or you can just hard code it in the Macro.

500

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma Z floating head

« on: January 13, 2011, 04:31:59 PM »

I use a macro in Mach3 to handle the torch referencing.  I use one of 3 methods for sensing.  Ohmic, floating head or capacitance.  The machine is set up with all 3 and I never really know which one I'll use, so in Sheetcam I just insert the M code for the macro.  Each method uses a different offset. The macro looks at a few different parameters to determine which method is in use and runs the referencing routine.  After the macro runs, M03 is called to fire the torch.

If pierceHeight <= 0 Then
   MsgBox("Please enter a valid pierce height")
   code "M30"
Else
   code "F30"
   code "G31 Z-1"
   While ismoving
   Wend
   code "G92 Z" & offset
   While ismoving
   Wend
   code "G00 Z" & pierceHeight
   While ismoving
   Wend
End If