Messages

111

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 crashes if left running

« on: May 14, 2013, 03:02:49 AM »

OK I had a problem the reverse of yours sometimes I would loose an axis, maybe that's a clue to your air cuts! It turns out that the virus checker was doing a check and sent a signal down the printer line to check the printer port. I ended up buying a secondhand Dell Inspirion (£40 off ebay) and taking everything off except Windows 7, Mach software and disabled the internet card, never even loaded a printer to it. I have no problems now, touch wood. Jim

112

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 crashes if left running

« on: May 13, 2013, 03:24:34 PM »

Have you had a printer connected before linking your machine to your machine only the error codes seem to be linked to Brother Printer faults. Also Mach does funny things if you have a virus checker or any other software that uses the printer port. Mach recommends a dedicated computer as any signals sent out down the line will cause your cnc program to default, remove any unneeded software from your machine.  Just a thought. Jim

113

General Mach Discussion / Re: Conversion of Denford TRIAC milling to LPT

« on: May 11, 2013, 02:10:09 PM »

Sent the info to your Email. Jim

114

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem engraving - depth changes

« on: May 03, 2013, 01:32:37 AM »

Might be talking a load of rubbish here as I have never used VCarve but have you re calibrated your steps for the Z axis to see if they are correct. I ask this because if you own designs are good and you use absolute programing the inaccuracies in steps will not be noticed. However if VCarve use a mixture of Absolute and Incremental programming as it constructs your program you might see a difference in the depth. As I said I might be talking a load of rubbish but worth a thought. Jim

115

General Mach Discussion / Re: Im new to the Mach3 program

« on: April 30, 2013, 02:11:19 AM »

Hi Jamie. Just a couple of things to check. When you downloaded your Mach program from the internet you did download it with a driver, as you have an option to download without a driver for program proving options without it being connected to a machine.
Secondly you have set up a profile for your machine, i.e. Mach3/mill and running your machine from it. I tried to run my machine direct from Mach and my motors didn't move.
If you have a driver present did you check the signal coming from it by going into the Mach folder on your “C” hard drive, select driver test and see what sort of signal you have got. This program will tell you if its good, there are options to improve the signal, special driver etc.
Finally you are using a desktop computer only Mach's not keen on laptops.

That's my suggestions, its bound to be simple very rare for the Mach program system to be wrong. We all like to think it Mach's fault especially when we have pulled all our hair out, threatened it and OD on Coffee. Jim

116

General Mach Discussion / Re: TS3040C-H80 - Do you have one? If so I need your help please

« on: April 26, 2013, 01:09:31 PM »

Good, you might find the X and Y might need setting, I used the same method. Jim

117

General Mach Discussion / Re: TS3040C-H80 - Do you have one? If so I need your help please

« on: April 26, 2013, 03:37:23 AM »

Hi M9g, have you tried using the automatic setting option in Mach's settings page tab. I set my accuracy using the axis setting option located just above the rest tab on this page. I clamped a vernier to the Z axis dialed in asked it to move down 20mm then put in the actual machines movement (19.56mm) Mach then automatically set the steps for you.
So
Go to "setting page" on Mach
Click on "set steps per unit"
Select Z axis
dial in a distance to move
measure actual distance moved
Mach will set the steps for you.

Hope this helps.

Jim

118

General Mach Discussion / Re: coma to apostrophe

« on: April 19, 2013, 08:39:56 AM »

Managed to do it, its an upside down apostrophe but looks OK and maintains the gap. Note the changes to the + and - and the G3 and G2 changes. You can only change it through the wizard when you have completed the program and sent it from wizard to mach, then by altering it in the text editor in Mach. Copy and paste into programs causes loads of problems. I have put an attachment showing my changes but remember you can't copy and past, you have to make the alterations to the full text program. Remember prove it before you ruin any engraving you are doing. Jim

119

General Mach Discussion / Re: coma to apostrophe

« on: April 19, 2013, 07:08:56 AM »

Cheers Tweakie, Not sure if it will work in Helvetica Font but will give it a try. These zip files as mentioned in the thread you linked to me worry me, I always seem to manage to get them to corrupt my other files, but will give it a go. Jim

120

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.