Messages

911

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I connect Mach3 to a Delta VFD using an USB UART to RS485 adaptor?

« on: July 23, 2015, 12:15:09 AM »

With Modbus you can talk to the VFD through the macropump scripting OR through BRAINS directly. The modbus protocal is already set up  for both methods.

(;-) TP

912

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Issues with using inductive proximity sensors as limits on Shopbot

« on: July 22, 2015, 08:01:07 PM »

YOU only really need one limit per axis as you already have. It will trip at either end of travel.  To be able to  jog OFF the limit select THAT option in Gen Config. Then you can jog off of a limit just remember where you are going(;-). 

(;-) TP

913

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I connect Mach3 to a Delta VFD using an USB UART to RS485 adaptor?

« on: July 22, 2015, 07:44:57 PM »

I will depend on the format of data .Does it talk ascii or modbus or something else ? You can send from modbus or you can send via SendSerial() or you can send from one other Can't remember the name . That gives you 3 options AND there is always   SendPortByte() GetPortByte().

OR you can do it through a plugin to Mach3 There are several but could not say if they will talk to YOUR Vfd.

(;-) TP

914

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I connect Mach3 to a Delta VFD using an USB UART to RS485 adaptor?

« on: July 22, 2015, 05:09:53 PM »

Mach3 should be able to talk to the serial port through scripting  AS long as you have a list of things it needs to say (;-).

(;-) TP

915

Machscreen Screen Designer / Re: Pdf image

« on: July 22, 2015, 01:48:04 PM »

You don't have to switch a control image just LOAD an image on demand and MACH3 CAN do that through CB. It has an image handler built in but it is limited to BMPs . AND it does that quite well. I have a function that allows you to VIEW an IMAGE of the toolpath of the Cutfile.   It will run about as fast as you can select down through the Dir of the files . AND the images stay in the same DIR as the Gcode files do. So when you select the image it loads the correct  Gcode file into mach3 ready to run.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

916

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: High feed speed on router results in rounded edges

« on: July 21, 2015, 10:10:49 PM »

What were the original settings and WHAT is the normal max cutting speeds required. 20 x the Acell rate change is a bit extreme .  Start at the original values and Set teh Vel to a reasonable value based on max cutting speeds. THEN start ramping up the accel say 10% at a time until it cuts smooths and very little corner rounding or starts shaking like a dog scratching fleas WHILE cutting. When you get to flea scratching start backing it back DOWN until it works ok.

ALSO remember you are working with SERVOs that require tuning as well. There is AXIS tuning and there is Servo tuning to deal with. IT can be a dance sometimes.  

BUT it does show you have PLENTY of power to work with Just needs tuning to run smooth.

(;-) TP

(;-) TP

917

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to fight noise

« on: July 21, 2015, 09:47:39 PM »

And it sounds like you have a loop right there There are 2 ways to reach ground?? . It is OBIVIOUS you have a loop problem from the voltage readin you re getting. Take a decent voltmeter and find where it is coming from. The OEMs don't always see the WHOLE picture on grounding for noise. It can be a tricky critter to run down and eliminate. Sometimes you CAN"T fix it do to design of the machine so you live with it or redesign it. Sometimes you can filter it, drain it away , find teh source and eliminate it there.



(;-) TP

918

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to fight noise

« on: July 21, 2015, 08:24:11 PM »

YOU have a ground loop running.  Groundin at the motor  end is NOT a good idea as the is no easy path back to ground from teh motor for the moveing gantry . try Ground it from the drive end only. The way you have everything grounded it not always a good idea. SOME things need to stay isolated from creating a ground LOOP. The plasma  Work Grnd lead is NOT  a ground .  Safety grounds and sheilding  grounds are 2 different dogs .

Just a thought, (;-) TP

919

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recomendation for parallel or USB controller + motor brands (CNC plasma cutter)

« on: July 21, 2015, 06:26:41 PM »

Thousands of people are running a plasma table with Mach3 software. It has all the features you need to do it with. AS far as Motion to motor ratio you want to be at 1" of motion per Revolution of the motor. Steeper motors have a very limited TORQUE range and yo have to sty inside the envelope for things to work well.

Gantry ? The way is go is as LIGHT as possible. There are ZERO cutting forces involved so Ganty overkilll is a bad thing. SLOW ??not so slow light guage cutting can run into 300+IPM feedrates.  At that speed you need to maintain a very LIGHT ganrty so that you can run with HIGH aceeleration rates to keep from rounding corners  excessively .AND not loose steps   Acelleration is KING in plamsa cutting for most forms (artsy stuff).

I would suggest you talk to someone like TOM over at CandCNC he can get you straight on what you need.  IF you have never built a CNC
 "PLASMA "table you need some GOOD advice on motion hardware. Tom will steer you straight IF you are one to actually listen.

(;-) TP

(;-) TP

920

General Mach Discussion / IF you wanted to UPGRADE to MACH4 ??

« on: July 20, 2015, 08:21:53 PM »

What would you consider a stumbling block to UPGRADING to the  current Version of Mach4 ??   Something?? Nothing??

Just a thought, (;-) TP