Messages

3781

General Mach Discussion / Re: Photos carved from Mach 2 and Mach 3

« on: October 26, 2012, 11:34:47 AM »

What version of MAch2 are you running the simple solution would be to save back a copy of MACH2 and your XML for that disaster.

I am one of those "IF it is not broke then DON"T fix it "  dudes.

There IS a Mach2 version saved on the mach FTP site (;-)


Also I see on your site that you think you are too small for Ccards (;-) Have you looked at using the SQUARE reader and your  Iphone or Android (If you have one) to take Ccards ? may open a broader market of buyers .

Just a thought, (;-) TP

3782

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and Sheetcam under linux?

« on: October 26, 2012, 11:26:35 AM »

SheetCAM already has a Linux version (;-).

(;-) TP

3783

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just thinking outloud (;-)

« on: October 26, 2012, 11:25:31 AM »

One of the problems with swappaxis()  is IF you leave the spindle in a rotary configuration and shut down MACH3 mach will overwrite the XML with the current data. THEN when you startup again you will NOT have a spindle and NO easy WAY to undo it . You have to go back and  swap axis again.

I think a simple addition to the macropump or a brain could be used as a saftey interlock between the 2 axis running at the same time.  If one is running disable the other and vise versa.

(;-) TP

3784

General Mach Discussion / Re: Just thinking outloud (;-)

« on: October 26, 2012, 09:12:14 AM »

I already know what will happen, the motor speeds up due to the extra pulses added to the stream. (;-) Lookin at the prices of big servos over here I probably will not be trying it on the BP anytime soon.

(;-) TP

3785

General Mach Discussion / Just thinking outloud (;-)

« on: October 25, 2012, 11:33:02 PM »

A while back a fellow mentioned about running his spindle as a spindle AND as a rotary axis by just useing the same pins for both the spindle step/dir and a rotary C axis step /dir. each set to its own spec in config so each would be accurate.

OF course he used a servo on the spindle.  The drive does not care WHERE the pulses come from and just does as it is told.  WHen you need the spindle call the M3 s2000 and mach sends pulses to make rpm as a spindle.  When you need rotary axis just make sure the spindle has stopped and call the G1 C180 F50 or what ever.

This would allow rigid tapping on demand. I would just create a software interlock to prevent both running at the same time. It would just create a faster than normal spindle speed getting extra pulses.

The servo would already have an index for Mach3 speed dro and to index the spindle for tool changes.



AND save having to Swapaxis() unswapp axis.

Anyone see why this would not work just fine?   Other than the cost of a 3kw High rpm servo and drive(;-) for the old BP Boss.


Just a thought, (;-)TP

3786

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and Tapmatic Tapping Head

« on: October 25, 2012, 06:49:42 PM »

ONe thing you do have to watch for is doing it their way you can TEAR the top thread when the tap gets to the top of the hole AND it is extended too far the spring back can tear the top thread when i t retracts back to center.

(;-) TP

3787

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help with radius

« on: October 25, 2012, 06:40:33 PM »

NOT exactly sure what you are trying to cut BUT sitting here looking at it in single step mode it appears to be going exactly where you told it to go wherever that is.

I don't see it cutting any usefull shape as it cuts BACK into itself several times


(;-) TP

3788

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: October 25, 2012, 04:34:44 PM »

I think they are programable through the Dig inputs ,, COULD be wrong but probably worth an email to Copley asking IF.

Digital logic inputs are programmable as limit & home
switches, stepper pulse inputs, A/B master encoder,
reset, motion abort, or motor over-temperature.

(;-) TP

3789

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: October 25, 2012, 04:02:37 PM »

Look closely at the manual I see a reference to Pls/dir control as well as cw/ccw.

CoMMAND iNPUTS
CANopen bus control Operating Modes Profile Position, Interpolated Position(PVT), and Homing
Digital position reference Pls/Dir, CW/CCW Stepper commands (2 MHz maximum rate)
(Note 1) Quad A/B encoder 2 Mline/sec, (8 Mcount/sec after quadrature


Just a thought, (;-)TP

3790

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and Tapmatic Tapping Head

« on: October 25, 2012, 11:19:44 AM »

Ray what I was referring to is MANY of the older units I see today need to have the Guts cleaned AND the oil changed in the head. They get contamenated with coolant over time. IF left it may corrode the internals THEN you really have a mess.

The way they work is there is a spring loaded neutral positon. When you downfeed and the tap touches the material it pushed the forward clutch into gear. When you stop the downfeed the clutch releases and goes into neutral. As you do a rapid UP feed it engages the reverse clutch and backs the tap out .  The unit is a floated head so a little mismatch on feeds is NOT a big deal.

Using the G95 mode without an RPM index will work fine as long as you are close.

Just a thought, (;-) TP