Messages

211

General Mach Discussion / Re: x axis problem

« on: June 26, 2012, 12:33:50 PM »

Hi Mvors, you have tagged your message on to a string started by me jimthefish, so Hood might not see it. No problem, but to start your own topic go to the home page, click on General Dicussions, Scroll down then at the bottom of the page you will see start a new topic, click and away you go, this will then become your thread and you will get notifications of all replies. Hood is your man but he might not read your message as its on my string. Copy and paste your question you attached to my string and put it in the new topic you have created, then all replies will come to you, sorry I aint got a clue as how to solve your problem. All the best Jimthefish.

212

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor steping

« on: June 09, 2012, 08:19:27 AM »

Being as your y moves exactly 1.5" and the X 2" and your microsetting for both axis are the same it looks as if you have different gear ratios driving the leadscrews. The Y might have a ratio of motor 4 revs to one leadscrew turn and the X, 3 revs on the stepper motor to one leadscrew rotation. Try using the axis measurement setting in the motor config setup menus. Might be completly wrong but worth a try.

213

General Mach Discussion / Re: synchronize config on 2 computers

« on: May 19, 2012, 07:21:37 AM »

Hi Fred, sorry I used to be a special needs tutor and the lad I work with does not communicate with people he does not know, brilliant at CNc but a non communicator, sometime even with me.  However this is the free software he uses. http://quicklydownload.com/programs/cad/dxf-2-g-code/70580 . Be careful as the conversion does things as you designed them so will go thru component on rapid if you constructed it that way. Hope this helps. Jim

214

General Mach Discussion / Re: synchronize config on 2 computers

« on: May 19, 2012, 06:08:12 AM »

Hi Hood nice to hear from you. thanks for the info, my CNC programs never go above 500, I'm a retired engineer and a simple bloke making model steam train parts but will bear in mind the licence note you sent me. You have helped me loads and everything is working perfect, so best left alone, cheers mate. A note for Fred forgot to say a G40 in the first line saves sudden shocks and yes my lad uses Mach3 on one of those Seig X2 milling machines, he's got skype on another computer so I can watch it machining and duck at the right time. Jim

215

General Mach Discussion / Re: synchronize config on 2 computers

« on: May 19, 2012, 02:08:51 AM »

Hi Fred, Jim from Brum UK. My CNC machine is in a cold drafty shed down the bottom of the garden so I spend a little amount of time down there as possible. So I write the programs on my computer in the house using a free 500 line MACH 3, then send them via the internet or a memory stick to my Computerised Workshop, the wife calls the SHED. I download the programs on a 15 year old Dell connected to my Denford Triac. I've had no problems and have not configured the computer in the house to the same as the Triac computer in the SHED, providing the first line has all the command G codes (G00 G21 G49 G17 G80 G50 G90  etc) it works fine. The config for the machine does not need to be installed on my home computer as its not connected to a machine. I also work occasionally with a young man some 5 miles away and send him programs and providing I send him the program with all the setup commands on the first line its fine. I did once have a problem concerning machining rads, but this was easily sorted by telling the machine to work with rads not using the I, J K commands, I just use the end point with a R (radius) command. Hope this helps. Jim

216

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle speed problem

« on: April 10, 2012, 03:34:00 AM »

Hi Hood OK will try tomorrow. Jim

217

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.

218

General Mach Discussion / Laser cutting

« on: February 07, 2012, 02:21:41 PM »

Hi Hood, hope you read this first. I need some laser cutting done for a Child Bereavement charity its in the shape of a 6" leaf which I then engrave with the deceased child name on it, its then hung on a tree in a garden of rememberance. Can I ask on Mach Forum if someone can laser cut the outer form for me for payment, I need about 12 a month. If this is against the rules please take the topic off.

219

General Mach Discussion / Re: circular pocket milling and error workpiece size

« on: December 17, 2011, 10:27:54 AM »

Couple of suggestions. Could be either main spindle bearing wear linked to wear in the z axis slide, or axis calibration not correct coupled with tool offset compensation incorrecty inserted. These two wrongs could make the X and Y dimensions correct but cut an oval shape.

220

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle start up causes mach3 estop

« on: December 17, 2011, 08:14:51 AM »

Cheers Hood, I understand now. Have a good Christmas and Hogmanay, Will do it when the weather is better, its snowing here so not venturing out, Jim