Messages

201

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.
 

202

General Mach Discussion / Re: Driver watchdog triggered

« on: September 18, 2012, 11:30:05 AM »

Cheers BR549, after I had posted I remembered I had trouble last year with the spindle turning off when it was not even cutting. I have an old LYNX spindle drive built in 1988, it tends to wander with its RPM when cold so it could be that, I used to have a big friendly spider that used to wander around the electronic board and thought it was him (her), don't like spiders so left it alone.
Just seen the turn off watchdog option so will try it tomorrow. Thanks mate. Jim

203

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

204

General Mach Discussion / Re: Swapping computer systems

« on: July 25, 2012, 06:51:59 AM »

Cheers Angel Tec and Hood, will do as you suggested. Jim

205

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.

206

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

« on: July 15, 2012, 02:55:51 PM »

Hi firstly denford early traics sometimes dont follow the electrical drawings, I found some of the wires went into the harness one colour and came out the other end a differenct colour, so always check the connections with a multimeter. The parker stepper units have a 240v/110v supply  into them be careful when dismantelling them.
I bought my replacement stuff from diycnc.co.uk and ebay. you will find a local supplier no doubt in your area
You need 3off 4.2amp steppers for you D34 motors they your motors are rated a 5amp but 4.2 will do you can go up to 5.8 if you want.
A power supply ( we made ours from the old circuit boards on the triac but the one at diycnc S35037 is ideal
a BOB sys1 V2 and a spindle slot in card from the version 4 unit if your triac has a LYNX 80 spindle drive unit
thats it except for tracing the wires back to the 4 wire D£4 steppers  and making sure they are connected correctly.
I did my machine some 3 years ago at a total cost of £250 however there will be better options for you to choose from now. I have the wiring drawings I made as I built the system if you want them let me know. One final thing is make sure you connect the oiling system back into the system to save you slide for wear. Jim

207

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

« on: July 15, 2012, 10:12:22 AM »

Ok no problem best of luck. The only problem you might find is maintaining the steps, when I used the denford circuit boards every time I did a loop it didn't go back to the exact start point a problem with the early denford (pre 1990). I have the origonal electrical drawings for a 1988 machine if you need them.

208

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

« on: July 15, 2012, 08:44:38 AM »

Hi Jim from Birmingham, England. I have converted a Triac with a little help form friends. I discarded all the electronics except for the spindle drive and power supply. Purchased BOB, Spindle drive card, 3 steeper drives and a power supply. I made drawings along the way and notes of the pin connections. Obviously your BOB and steppers will be different so let m know what you want. For reference you have a brilliant machine capable of cutting mild steel with ease. I have a few threads on the forum covering the problems I had and the help given mainly from Hodd. jim

209

General Mach Discussion / Re: My X axis headach

« on: June 26, 2012, 02:58:36 PM »

OK your xtml file is in your mach folder, whatever you named the profile, mine is triac.xtml. If you find it copy it because if your computer goes down this file has all your setting for your machine. It stores all your pin connections, directions and setting information. Thats why hood need it, he can look and tell you what pins are correct and what you need to change If you find the file copy and save it on your computer, then on an external store so if your computer fails you wont have to re-assign all you connections. When you reply to the Mach thread click on additional options, you will see attach a file, attach your xtml to it. Hood will look and solve your problem. Just for reference most problems are down to pin direction and assignment, mine was just a loose wire, checking all your connections I could not find anything wrong but I must have made the connection by just moving the wires on my Break out Board. Good luck, Jim

210

General Mach Discussion / Re: My X axis headach

« on: June 26, 2012, 01:50:12 PM »

Hi its jim again, you've got it, however Hood has replied on my thread have a look. Jim