Messages

1061

General Mach Discussion / Re: G540 Steps Per

« on: January 29, 2017, 10:48:24 AM »

I wonder why Gecko uses 20000 since not all users will have a 10mm pitch ballscrews

When there are an infinite number of possibilities, what are they supposed to use?
The .xml 's purpose is mainly to configure the inputs and outputs correctly.
There are numerous settings in an .xml file that are very different from machine to machine, even when the machines are the same.

1062

General Mach Discussion / Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way

« on: January 29, 2017, 08:27:04 AM »

What version of Mach3 are you using? If using 3.043.066, then try 3.043.062.

Are you using the parallel port, or a motion controller?

1063

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommendations on BEST Breakout Board by General Mach3 Users !

« on: January 29, 2017, 06:17:33 AM »

The MB2 breakout board from CNCRoom is a good alternative also.

http://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper
 
MachBob2 (MB2) is designed for industrial application and specifically to work with the Ethernet
Smooth Stepper (ESS) which is an excellent motion control board designed to be used with Mach3
and Mach4

Here are some of the good features.
 - New! Utilizes all three ports from the ESS.
 - New! Accept frequency up to 4 MHz.
 - New! Differential line driver for motion signals enables longer wiring with more resistance to
   interference when compared to TTL open end.
 - New! A single 24Vdc Power Supply is needed. There is a 5Vdc isolated and non‐isolated dc2dc
   converter on board, thus saving installation space and wiring.
 - New! OSSD (Output Signal Switching Device) outputs and safety circuit are implemented when a
   peripheral device such as a servo motor drive or a spindle VFD trigger an alarm condition, which
   causes the Safety Circuit to disengage the OSSD output. This method is used in large CNC machines
   to cut power from the drives.
 - New! LED status for all inputs and outputs including motion control signals. This makes it much
   easier to diagnose and trouble shoot.
 - New! Polarity and over voltage protection (in conjunction with a fuse) for the 24Vdc power supply.
 - An “AnaSpeed” circuit has been implemented. This circuit is totally isolated from the MB2 and forms
   a part of the VFD inverter, acting as a digital VR. High voltage noise from the inverter
   cannot cause interfere through this connection.
 - A Charge‐Pump signal is provided. This helps the user to form a safety interlock condition among
   controller and devices.
 - 22 isolated input terminals, consisting of 17 terminals of NPN and 5 terminals of PNP type.
 - 14 NPN isolated output terminals capable of sinking current up to 100mA for each channel and up to
   500mA per group.
 - New! MB2v1.5, 2 onboard relays with both NO / NC contacts and “Off Delay Time”, which can be
   used for “Z Drop Protection” application. (MB2v1.3 does not have this feature)

I ordered an MB2 a few weeks ago, and it's hands down the most professional looking breakout board I've ever seen. It's also the cheapest way to get 3 ports of I/O in a single board solution.
While it's designed to be used with an ESS, I'm using it with a UC300ETH with a minor mod, removing the wire to pin26 in the ribbon cables.

1064

General Mach Discussion / Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way

« on: January 28, 2017, 06:50:45 PM »

Need to see your macro.

1065

Mach Screens / Re: Password for custom screenset

« on: January 27, 2017, 11:44:15 AM »

I've been selling the same screenset for about 7 years now, and it appears that the vast majority (99.99%?) of people that have purchased have been very honest. I've never seen any copies floating around, and I still sell a fair amount after 7 years.

If you make something that people want, they'll be more than happy to pay for it.

1066

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port woes, again. Help wanted, again

« on: January 26, 2017, 08:00:16 PM »

The Smoothstepper does the exact same as the UC100. The main difference is that is has 3 ports of inputs and outputs vs one with the UC100.
You could have simply replaced the parallel port with the Smoothstepper just like you're doing with the UC100.
But if you only need a single port, then the UC100 will work fine, and imo, it's better supported.

1067

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port woes, again. Help wanted, again

« on: January 25, 2017, 09:46:03 PM »

The simplest fix is to buy a UC100 and ditch the parallel port. You can then run Mach3 on a 64 bit OS.

1068

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems with my probe???

« on: January 23, 2017, 06:01:56 PM »

Sometimes the bit will not touch the probe plate when doing a single Z zero and the probe active does not come on??

It happens so fat that you don't see it.

The capacitor is a bandaid for a noise problem. Most people don't need or use them, but in some cases, it's a much easier fix than solving all of the noise issues.

1069

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems with my probe???

« on: January 23, 2017, 03:13:14 PM »

Noise is triggering the probe input. It happens so fast that you don't see the LED light up. You have some grounding issues on your machine which are causing all of the problems.
A capacitor across the probe input may help with that.

1070

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motherboards And Mach3, questions..

« on: January 23, 2017, 09:57:20 AM »

Can someone explain to us what the difference will be between one motherboard 2Gh and another motherboard 4Gh? We talking about the same pc with win7 32-bit..
How mach3 will react with the two motherboards?

It's really impossible to know how Mach3 will work with a particular PC, unless you actually try it.