Messages

2671

General Mach Discussion / Re: beginner- can't get motors to turn, they do go to a hold.

« on: April 25, 2014, 06:49:28 PM »

The demo is a real working Mach3. If your name is displayed, then the license is active.
If the motors lock up, then the drives are working correctly.
If the motors don't move, then you possibly have an incorrect port address, or incorrect port and pin settings.

Could also be an issue with the PC, or the parallel cable.

2672

General Mach Discussion / Re: M code script and Exact stop

« on: April 25, 2014, 02:28:30 PM »

I don't see anything that would cause the Exact Stop? What is the active mode when you call the macro? Are you drilling?
Also, after every "Code" line, you should have a
While IsMoving
Wend

You don't need the Sleep(100).

2673

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parametric Variables Table??

« on: April 25, 2014, 01:12:05 PM »

There is no list of all of them. The manual lists the variable for all the work offsets, but I'm not sure if any others are documented.

If you do a search here, you may find a few more.

2674

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Small project not going well

« on: April 24, 2014, 12:16:40 PM »

I think you'd be better off with a closed grain wood like maple rather than oak. Oak will tend to splinter more due to its open grain.
Another option is to seal the surface with shellac or some other clear finish before cutting. This will hold the wood fibers together and result in cleaner cuts.
It's also very important to always use very sharp bits.

2675

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 motor tuning dialog screen

« on: April 24, 2014, 08:23:24 AM »

This comes up from time to time, but I don't remember the exct answer.
Try removing unused plugin files from the mach3 plugins folder, and restart mach3. If that doesn't do it, try re installing Mach3.

2676

General Mach Discussion / Re: BRAINS

« on: April 24, 2014, 08:22:02 AM »

Sounds like you installed the screenset in the wrong place.
The brains should be in your \Mach3\Brains\folder
If you look in your mach3 installation folder, do you have a \Mach3\macros\2010\ folder? I'm guessing that you don't.

You're better off emailing me directly for help, as I may not always see messages posted here.

2677

General Mach Discussion / Re: M code script and Exact stop

« on: April 23, 2014, 07:05:27 PM »

What's in your M991 code?

Why aren't you using M6 for this? That's what M6 is for.

2678

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spring loaded touch plates for Z auto-zero

« on: April 23, 2014, 06:54:54 PM »

I made spring loaded touch plate just a few weeks ago and it was a big improvement over fixed touchplate for me.

Yeah, because of the way you were using it.

2679

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spring loaded touch plates for Z auto-zero

« on: April 23, 2014, 11:44:58 AM »

I use Sleep(250) in my macros. Not sure if it's the right way, but it works. Not for waiting for movement to stop, but just for slight delays or pauses.

I know there were several changes made to that macro along the way. I'd start at the last page and work forward to find the latest version.

2680

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spring loaded touch plates for Z auto-zero

« on: April 23, 2014, 10:17:17 AM »

Read through this thread.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc-wood-router-project-log/36099-another-aussie-auto-tool-zero-setter.html