Messages

191

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic uncontrolled cycle starts

« on: October 20, 2012, 03:28:17 PM »

Then I would leave my keys down there as well.

192

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic uncontrolled cycle starts

« on: October 20, 2012, 02:19:14 PM »

[img]Hi AngleTec. I do that now, I have a couple of memory sticks with all the files on, only problem is they are always in the wrong place, (keep leaving them in the workshop) as you can see I keep a tidy workshop. I don't use the internet except for windows updates and other program updates, just forgot to disconnect it last time.

193

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic uncontrolled cycle starts

« on: October 20, 2012, 05:57:06 AM »

Just a quick update. Been telling you all I haven't had any problems with erratic moves since. WELL accidentally left the internet connection plugged in yesterday but didn't go online and guess what, Z went off without stopping, Z + thank God. I did not go on the net all day. Disconnected it and carried on working all day with no problems, however when I came to turn off my computer there were 3 windows update to install. Just thought I would have a look at my computer actions and found out the machine had been doing a scan at the time of the Z axis fault. Moral of this story set your schedule scan (if you have a virus checker) for when your not CNCing and unplug your internet connection even if do not intend to use it. Just for reference I only use the internet for downloading my CNC Mach programs, which I do in the warm in the house, watching the football.

194

General Mach Discussion / Re: erratic uncontrolled cycle starts

« on: October 18, 2012, 04:57:35 PM »

I had a ongoing problem with the Z axis not stopping sometimes, not sure if this is relevant but i checked everything and could not find a problem. However one day when using my CNC machine my screen showed that zone alarm was asking for permission to allow my computer to accept a program at the same time the z axis was not stopping, luckily it was a z + command so it just hit the overtravel switch. I had a thought that my broadband connection was sending signals down the printer line which was now my Mach3 connection, I was not using the internet at the time but the computer was linked via my wireless connection. Since then I disconnect broadband whenever i use my CNC machine. This was 4 months ago and the z axis has behaved it self since. Just a thought, maybe totally wrong but worth thinking about. Also some of the security software does background checks of you software, this could also send signals to Mach3 via your connection to your machine.   Jim

195

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: F ENGRAVE will work for me....But Need further assistance Please

« on: October 15, 2012, 04:00:21 AM »

Hi Belin, I've used F Engrave, great for engraving text, especially in a curve or round shape, however only using G01 coding makes the program file very long.  I save them as a G code then use Mach's edit function to get rid of the rubbish at the start, then the replace option to change (change all) the Z#1 with a specific value and remove any text Mach doesn't recognise. As far a jpeg files its a bit of a pain. I load them into my photoshop option and save them as a .PBM file, this seems to work, however it very much depends on how the original drawings were constructed, Mach thru F engrave is very unforgiving on how you constructed your drawing and misses out bits it dosen't understand. If you have not constructed your drawing in a logical way the cutter moves all over the place and takes forever to cut. I find using the correct CAD packages much easier and less time consuming. I found when doing drawing you need to think  about how your CNC machine will machine the component then do your drawing to match. Hope this helps. Jim

196

General Mach Discussion / Re: Milling machines using Mach3

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:37:03 AM »

Hi, most stand alone milling machines can be converted to run with Mach3, in my case I abandoned an old Denford processor on my Triac mill and fitted a BOB, a spindle drive card, and 3 stepper drives to allow Mach 3 to run my machine. It's very useful processor to update old style systems.

197

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma conversion

« on: September 21, 2012, 03:06:07 PM »

Thanks for all the information, going off the idea my mill is nowhere fast enough in the x y axis. and I have noted the HF problems. Jim

198

General Mach Discussion / Re: Driver watchdog triggered

« on: September 21, 2012, 07:22:29 AM »

Not very good on electronics but looked on the internet I understand its a background checking  process, hence the word watchdog that is monitoring the parallel port driver performance. If the driver starts under performing, the watchdog alerts you to that fact.

This can happen because your machine has other processes competing for resources. Perhaps you're running other programs, your screensaver has started or a spywear or your firewall is checking your machine for errors. You can either turn off the watchdog, or try and disable other things that may be interfering with the driver timing. If you're already running a computer that's not on the internet, then it might be telling you that you need more CPU power or RAM, however in my case I just felt its other background processes that are running when I start the computer. If I wait 5mins after I turn on my computer before calling up the mach3 program it then doesn't happen, so i haven't turned off my watchdog option I just have a cuppa between switching on the computer and running the Mach3 program. At my age I ain't in no rush, don't take my advice as Gospel as I'm a metal basher by trade, hope this helps. Jim

199

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma conversion

« on: September 21, 2012, 05:15:27 AM »

OK Hood noted, pressed the wrong key in my first post it was £500 for one at a local supplier. I must admit I have had no problems with buying from China, buy their 3mm slot drills at £2.50 each with free postage and they last longer than £7 UK ones. I also bought my stepper drives from China at £43 each which were delivered in 7 days. exactly the same ones in the UK were £76 and 4 weeks delivery, suppose they get them from China hence the long delivery. However there is always a first time, lets hope I ain't put the mockers on any future buys from China.
PS waiting for four 3mm cutters lets hope they arrive.
That bloke wants another 6 copper shapes to keep him going so will do them and investigate flood coolant and Plasma cutting, as I said life's to short to get involved in mass production, had enough of that when I was working for a living.

200

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma conversion

« on: September 21, 2012, 03:40:22 AM »

Hi Hood, looked at the plasma cutters on the net at around £300 they all seem to be suited to cut copper. I used parafin to cut the copper components however the chips get clogged in the cut, I do 4 at a time and go round with 1.5mm depth each pass. Thought about flood coolant but unfortunately all the electronics on the Denford Triac are immediately under the machine table. Could move them but such a lot to move and this machine was built in 1988 so the term hard wire might come into the equation. Will have a think. Nice to hear from you Hood. Jim