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Topics - jimthefish

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11
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.

12
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   

13
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

14
General Mach Discussion / Moving off the stops
« on: January 22, 2013, 12:47:41 PM »
Can someone remind me how to set up Mach3 to let you jog off a stop when you have overtravelled?

15
General Mach Discussion / Changing computers
« on: January 13, 2013, 11:50:43 AM »
Ok I have asked this question before, but this time it with a different twist. My Dell 2400 computer has finally given up. So I've bought a second-hand Dell 2400 off Ebay (rather than go down the 64bit-32bit problem), same model but a better upgrade. To reinstall Mach and all my setting on the new computer do I re-download Mach3 off the web, use the loader to create a mill application, then inset my Licence and Xml file which I have backed up on a memory stick before the computer failure. Can someone give me a step by set guide to make sure I get the Xml and licence in the correct place, over to you Hood my man. Will my machine work with these new setup or do I have to do anymore alteration. Jim

16
General Mach Discussion / Windows 7 with 64bit
« on: November 29, 2012, 04:10:26 PM »
Hi got a questions. My Dell 580 desktop computer had a major hard drive failure last week, it seemed all the BIOS also got corrupted. I had a hell of a game to reload all my stuff after installing a new hard drive, couldn't even get it to load from the CD. Before the failure I was running Mach3 on it but not connected to my CNC machine, it worked fine. My question is can I still run Mach3 on my 64bit computer for program compiling without fear corrupting my hard drive or BIOS settings. I have no intention to run my CNC machine from this computer, this option allows me to construct the programs in the warmth of my living room on my 64bit. I then use a USB stick to transfer the program to an old 32bit computer in my workshop driving my CNC mill.
Basically I'm asking if Mach 3 software is safe to run on a 64bit computer as a program compiler and proving process providing its not connected to a CNC machine as I dont want to have the same problem.
Apologies if I'm stating the obvious only dont understand 64bit or 32bit options and dont want to repeat my computer failure again. 

17
General Mach Discussion / Plasma conversion
« on: September 21, 2012, 02:39:34 AM »
Hi everyone I'm looking for advice on adding a plasma torch to my benchtop CNC milling machine running on Mach 3. I cut six small copper shape I 0.7mm copper plate for a friend using a 3mm cutter, being copper it was a nightmare as cutters kept breaking. I finally did the job for him thinking that was that. Unfortunately I did a good job, he was well pleased and proceeded to ask for another 100. I pointed out the cost of tooling and the time it took me saying if you were paying industry prices it would be cheaper to cast them in gold, but said I would think about it. I'm a hobbyist and don't do contract work however I had a thought that retro fitting a cheap plasma cutter might be cost effective method of doing the job, indeed if i did the 100 pieces for him it would pay for the plasma cutter. Just for reference the component is 100mm x 75mm x 0.7mm with rads and internal corners that should be sharp, so I have to file out the 3mm rads caused by the cutter.
Here's the question(s).
Can you use a hand held torch, fitted to the z axis to cut components.
Will the plasma unit cause problems with the machines electronics
What other equipment will I need, I have a standard compressor.
The cut can start on or off the job, but looking on the forum cutter height and arc contact seem to be important how do I achieve this

I'm not looking for a pucker units, just one for this job, although I do make model steam trains and might find other uses for plasma cutting.

OK I can hear some of you saying where is this bloke coming from, but being a retired tight fisted mechanical engineer I ain't got a clue about plasma cutting, its all science fiction to me. I thought to cut material as long a the cutter was harder than the material to be cut I was OK.
Advice and suggestions welcome, Cheers fellow CNCers.
 

18
General Mach Discussion / Driver watchdog triggered
« on: September 18, 2012, 09:03:57 AM »
Hi, sometimes when I switch on Mach3 in the morning the first couple of attempts to cut a component the spindle and steppers switch off in mid cut. The error code "Driver watchdog triggered". I reboot Mach 3 each time and after a couple of false starts all appears to be OK, I then use the machine all day, most of the time cutting metal, with no problems. Searched all the forum but cant find a solution. The machine is in a wooden built workshop at the bottom of the garden and this error fault appear when the weather is cold, not frosty but in single digit temperatures. I can live with this but would like to no the possible cause and solution to the fault

19
General Mach Discussion / Swapping computer systems
« on: July 25, 2012, 02:05:53 AM »
Some advice please, Yesterday my old Dell computer monitor decided to shut down mid way a cutting program, the job completed but all I had on the screen was cannot display resolutions with a suggested alternative resolution. Swapped the monitor restarted the computer with the same screen fault, so suspect graphics card fault (window 7 operating system). It was 35 degrees in my workshop so waited till last night when it was cooler and went down and the screen was working. My question is can I put the Mach3 folder complete on a pen drive and transfer it to another computer or do I have to load Mach3 then add the xml and licence afterwards? I have my licence and Xml files on a separate pen drive already on a pen drive in case of a complete computer failure.
I'm being extra careful as my little Triac milling machine has been working perfect for 3 year and I'm half way completing a project so want to make sure I transfer it to another computer first time  and not spend days getting it up and working again.
Any suggestions and the best way to move Mach3, (would I benefit from any mods to Mach3 hence loading the latest version)  would be welcomed except for cancelling the hot weather, we in the UK have been waiting months to see the sun.

20
General Mach Discussion / Spindle speed problem
« on: April 10, 2012, 02:16:18 AM »
Hi, got a problem with my spindle drive speed. Bought myself one of those digital rev counter to check my spindle speed as it seems to slow down depending on the length of time I use the mill.

For example when I dial in M3 S1000 or use a pre-programmed set of codes when I first use the mill in the morning it gives me 1400 rpm, after 10mins of machining the machine settles at 1000rpm. After an hour of use the spindle speed settles at 800rpm although I'm still calling for 1000rpm. I'm using a Denford Triac bench top mill with a very old LYNX spindle drive board. It uses 4 wires from my BOB with a spindle drive card attached to it to send a voltage to control the spindle speed. I realise it must be the voltage the LYNX board is receiving but cant find any visual problems. I know a very small change in the voltage signal will effect the spindle speed so have shielded these 4 wires from external interference but still get differing speeds. Has anyone got any suggestions as to how to solve this problem apart from replacing my LYNX unit. Just to compound the problem this variation in spindle speed does not happen all the time but the more often than not.

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