Messages

1871

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about simulation

« on: June 28, 2015, 01:48:27 PM »

I don't quite understand what you're trying to do??

1872

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Resetting machine coordinates in G code program

« on: June 28, 2015, 11:51:11 AM »

I believe that Mach4 uses G30 instead of G28.1.
You might want to look at the Mach4 g-code manual.

1873

General Mach Discussion / Re: x & y axis. What is going on?

« on: June 28, 2015, 09:24:01 AM »

1) In Mach3, the X axis is always left to right. You CAN NOT change this. It should look exactly the same way in Mach3 as it does in Aspire.

2) You set your 0,0 position in Aspire, as one of the 4 corners of the workpiece, or the center. Zero the X and Y axis in Mach3 in the appropriate place, and it should be cutting exactly where you want it to.
Be aware that if you may need to move the imported vectors after importing them, as they may import to a different location then you want.

1874

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Servo drive recommendations

« on: June 27, 2015, 10:54:46 AM »

What type of servos are they, and what are the ratings?

1875

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH3 Demo

« on: June 26, 2015, 09:12:45 PM »

The UC100 is an "external motion device".

1876

General Mach Discussion / Re: Startup and shutdown sequence

« on: June 26, 2015, 08:42:19 PM »

Imo, the machine should not be powered up until Mach3 is running. And the machine should be powered off before Mach3 is closed.

1877

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Major Bug?

« on: June 25, 2015, 09:49:17 AM »

what version of mach3 is the least buggy, and what are those bugs?

Not sure if anyone knows, or if it's documented anywhere. Since 3.043.066 is the one currently on the download page, I'd assume that the developers feel that is the least buggy. However, many users have found that version unusable.

Imo, Mach3 is not nearly as bad as you';re being led to believe.

Yes, comp (G41/G42) has bugs. But I use it for 90% of my parts, and have only had an issue with an incorrect toolpath once or twice. Don't use it in subs or with offsets other than G54, though.

You need to be careful when using subs, especially with offsets.

I'm not aware of the G2/G3 bug Terry refers too, and I would expect that 99% of mach3 users aren't either.

can i at least depend on one version to act in a stable manner if i am willing to avoid certain programming techniques?

Yes. One thing to consider is that if you're using an external motion controller, it's plugin may be based on a specific version of Mach3, and it will probably work best with that version.

I've had good luck running older 3.042.*** versions, and most versions after 3.043.028 are OK as well.

Iis mach4 really better?  reading the mach4 forum section leaves me pulling my hair too.

You're not alone there. Many longtime Mach3 users are very disappointed with the current state of Mach4, and some of the decisions that the developers have made.

1878

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Macro not working if called with M code

« on: June 25, 2015, 07:25:12 AM »

Double check that you're saving in the correct profile folder. I've seen many instances where users thought they were, but were actually using a different profile than they thought.

1879

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 & Fusion 360

« on: June 22, 2015, 12:56:34 PM »

If your Z axis DRO says -2, and the tool is not at -2, then your probably losing steps on the Z axis. The DRO will show what the g-code is telling it to do.

1880

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Windows 8 and Mach 3

« on: June 18, 2015, 12:05:43 AM »

You need to use an external motion controller like the Smoothstepper or UC100 if you're using Windows 8.