Messages

2251

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mulitipass button

« on: November 23, 2014, 02:36:24 PM »

It's been replaced by the multi pass wizard.

2252

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: November 22, 2014, 08:13:28 AM »

Do an Initial Auto Zero to the fixed plate, and then your tool changes should work.
So you set Z zero to the bottom of your parts?

2253

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slaved X and A Axis Problem

« on: November 22, 2014, 07:58:48 AM »

Why just use 1 motor? If you have an easy way to add a belt reduction, then do a 1:2 reduction, but still use both slaved motors.

2254

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: November 22, 2014, 07:52:38 AM »

How are you setting Z zero without a movable plate?

2255

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: November 22, 2014, 07:04:20 AM »

Do you have a fixed plate setup and working properly?
And did you run the Initial Auto Zero before the tool change? You MUST run the Initial Auto Zero before running code with a tool change, or the new tool will be set incorrectly.

2256

Share Your GCode / Re: Just starting out

« on: November 22, 2014, 06:41:01 AM »

The learning curve for AutoCAD is about 10,000x steeper than learning g-code.
g-code is really quite simple. It's just XY coordinates, with codes to tell the machine how to get to those coordinates. For a router, all you really need to know is 4 basic g-codes.

G0 - move at rapid rate
G1 - move at feedrate, specified with F (F100 = 100ipm)
G2 - clockwise arc
G3 - counterclockwise arc.

There's a button in Mach3 which brings up a list of g-codes, with explanations and examples. You can also find this info in the manual, which has an entire section on g-code. If you want to get advanced, most recommend a book by Peter Smid.

Personally, I'd recommend learning CAD and CAM. Download the demo version of Vectric's V Carve Pro, and work through all the tutorials. This is the easiest method of creating complex designs, and turning them into g-code.

While it's good to understand g-code, I don't recommend hand writing it. It takes a long time, and handwriting will inevitably have errors from typing mistakes, which are unavoidable.

2257

General Mach Discussion / Re: Strange X axis distance travel at higher Feedrate % ; (

« on: November 22, 2014, 06:27:55 AM »

There are known issues in Mach3 when using feedrate override well over 100%.
It's recommended to program at the maximum feedrate you may use, and use FRO to lower the speed only.

2258

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slaved X and A Axis Problem

« on: November 21, 2014, 10:04:25 PM »

5mm? Those are a very poor match for the motors you have, as they require high rpm to get any speed.
Ideally, you'd want 10mm pitch screws, and 381oz, 3.5a motors. Those are the best match for the G540.
With 5mm screws, you might get slightly better performance with even smaller motors, like 270oz.
But generally, the 381 oz motors are the best all around choice for the G540.

2259

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slaved X and A Axis Problem

« on: November 21, 2014, 09:43:50 PM »

Again, what is the pitch of your screws?

2260

General Mach Discussion / Re: Creating wizards

« on: November 21, 2014, 07:30:17 PM »

Wizards are created with a screen designer and VB scripting. There's information in the Mach3 customization guide.
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mach2_6.11_Custom.pdf