Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / reset button not working

« on: April 27, 2020, 06:18:16 AM »

Recently my computer controlling my CNC failed. So replaced it with the same HP 7800 SFF computer. Set it all up and the machine worked perfect. switched it off and it automatically said 74 updates. next time I turned it on I ended up with a blue screen of death. So did the modification as suggested on forum Windows7/parallel port crash. Fine can now load program but cannot get the rest button on MAch3 to flip. Any suggestions.

2

General Mach Discussion / Special driver

« on: April 01, 2016, 11:45:44 AM »

Just got my Mach machine program running on a new computer again but it was pulsing to fast so pressed special driver and got nothing. How do I get back to the original driver. I clicked it but nothing again? Any ideas how to get back to original driver.

3

General Mach Discussion / Suitable computer

« on: March 28, 2016, 12:32:32 PM »

Hi everyone, my computer failed so need to replace it. I'm still using the printer port to control the machine. So need to get an old computer, I have a chance of a Dell OptiPlex 170L but not sure if the pulse rate for this computer is suitable. So I guess what I'm asking is there anyone out there running Mach 3 through a Dell OptiPlex 170L with an Intel Pentium 4 (2.8GHz) processor. If no what's a suitable computer.
Cheers

4

General Mach Discussion / Missing program

« on: July 29, 2015, 12:11:15 PM »

Ha anyone had this problem?  Been using Mach for 5 years on a Denford Triac Mill with a few niggling problems but nothing major, however today I had a strange occurrence. I was doing a batch of 12 components and came to the last one and set the machine off on its 15 min cycle cutting the final shape in copper. I decided to tidy up the workshop and after 10 minutes noticed the sound of the cutter cutting had stopped but the spindle was still running. It turned out the CNC program had completely disappeared from the Mach stack screen (it was blank) but the rest of the Mach screens were OK. I re-loaded the program and started the cycle from the start and the cutter followed the original path and completed the component. I was cleaning round the machine and computer and wondered if I had accidentally erased the program. Is it possible to do this?

5

General Mach Discussion / spindle problem

« on: February 06, 2015, 11:57:59 AM »

Hi everyone got a problem someone might know what it is. Been running my Denford triac mill on Mach for some 3 years with a DELL OptiPlex 330 computer with no problems. Then last year got through 2 motherboards on my computer for no apparent reason. However I have noticed that when applying M5 spindle stop the spindle stops then starts creeping, not every time but most times. Just put another motherboard in and M5 stops the correct rev but the spindle continues to rotate at about 100 revs. I think I have a back feed form the BOB back into the computer. Also when I turn the Triac on the spindle revs start up without a command. Think I have a voltage feed back problem.
Any suggestions

BOB and spindle plug in card from cnc4you and the spindle drive is a 1988 LYNX 180v drive

6

General Mach Discussion / Moving to Smooth Stepper

« on: January 27, 2015, 11:39:06 AM »

Hi Mach3ers. I've come to the end of the road with my Dell 32 bit desktop computer and thinking of moving to a smooth stepper conversion. This will allow me to bring the laptop from down the workshop in the winter as I think the damp is causing my desktop power supplies to short out. If I go to this conversion can I just plug in the laptop with the new board and connect it to the 25 pin cable to my BOB. Obviously I will have to set reload my xtml file  into the laptop and do a bit of fiddling but is that it, or do I need more bits. What's the best smooth stepper board and is there any restrictions on the laptops I need as I have and old Dell Inspirion 8500 I would like to use, its built like a tank so wont get damaged easily.

Jim

7

General Mach Discussion / Best simple CAD/CAM software

« on: November 14, 2013, 03:28:40 PM »

Christmas is coming and my sons are asking the question, what do you want for Christmas Dad. Well I'm asking the forum what's the best CAD/CAM software to link to Mach for 3D milling on a small Denford Triac CNC milling machine making 5" gauge model steam train parts. Don't want the CAD/CAM to be to complicated as my brain has its limitations. Keep it simple please and don't want to spend a fortune just to be able to do small 3D parts in brass and steel.
Thanks in advance. Jim

8

General Mach Discussion / coma to apostrophe

« on: April 19, 2013, 03:59:24 AM »

Just a quick question about the text engraving apps that is in the Mach Wizard section. I realise this is not a Mach Program issue but I engrave names onto memorial plaques for a charity. Done dozens but been asked to do an O'Neil surname but just realised there isn't an apostrophe. I thought no problem just put in a comma and alter the Y axis dimensions to plus values. I doesn't work as easy as that, before I spend time figuring out the codes and directions has anyone sorted this out previously. I realise I could use F-engrave or just leave a space and put a straight line in the program to represent an apostrophe. Dose Mach recommend a suitable program or have a purchaseable apps to solve this problem. Jim

For a bit of fun you try moving the comma up to the top of the text, (in the middle of a name) its quite a challenge. I bet someone with more brain power than me will do it, no prizes for solving it just kudos in the Mach Club Members Forum.

9

General Mach Discussion / limit switch triggered

« on: February 22, 2013, 07:21:05 AM »

Hi Its me again, I still get the occasional program stopping because Mach tells me a limit switch has been triggered although non of the warning on the diagnostics page show any faults. I have rechecked and earthed the machine, BOB and spindle drive board, shielded the wires, set the debounce on several occasions, changed the computer and checked the switches but I still get the machine stopping once a day. Luckily the stop is instant so no damage or cutter breakage has occurred. My questions is in the general config page there is a tick box to "use WatchDogs" if I unticked this box will it stop the limit switch signal stopping the program, or is it unwise to do so as it removes the overtravel limits and other protection systems. Or has it nothing to do with my problem. Jim   

10

General Mach Discussion / Limit switch activated "triggered"

« on: February 09, 2013, 07:28:33 AM »

Any suggestions would be welcome. My converted to Mach3, Denford Triac has developed a fault. When I start up after a day's break the first few times I start a program it stops saying "Limit Switch Activated". I reset and the program again and it goes a little further then stops again. After a few false starts the machine will run all day without any problems. Even if I MDI just the spindle to run at say 1000RPM after about 20 seconds I still get the limit switch fault, even though the slides are not moving.
Things I have done.
Checked all connectors for loose screws and wires
Looked at the diagnostic page and it shows no limit switch activated, I just have pin 4 with a green light "This has been normal ever since I converted the machine"
Checked the computers outputs and they all fall within all the parameters on Mach's setup videos.

Just for reference this machine had a few teething problems but lots of help from Hood has performed perfectly for 3 year. I did replace the computer a few weeks ago but found out it was only the internal power supply at fault, so I replace the power supply so the machine is running with the original Dell computer it has had since its conversion.

My next step is to disconnect all the limit switches from the BOB but before I do has anyone any suggestions. I suspect I have a faulty limit switch but as they difficult to get at though I would ask first.
Jim