Messages

3391

General Mach Discussion / Re: x & Y speed requirements

« on: December 03, 2012, 05:15:33 PM »

Thanks, I just started twisting a small NEMA 23 with Mach and a Gecko G540.  Very slow it is--thus causing the question............................................................Where would I start to calc a more proper sized stepper?  Hopefully, one that will work with the G540.

What are the specs on the motors you have?

And what is your power supply voltage?

And how is the machine drives? Screw, or rack and pinion? If screws, what is the pitch? If r&p, what is the gearing and pinion size?

3392

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: December 03, 2012, 05:08:06 PM »

There's a new lockdown version that should work fine.
http://www.machsupport.com/ccount/click.php?id=1

I sent you an email about the other issue.

3393

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: December 03, 2012, 02:56:06 PM »

The hourglass is caused by a bug when you use version 3.43.022. Double check that, because the screenshot you sent me was 3.42.040 I think?

3394

General Mach Discussion / Re: Will Mach 3 ever be used on a tablet

« on: December 02, 2012, 09:05:17 AM »

That's really impossible to say, but I'd think that your best bet would be a Windows 8 (or later) tablet running an external motion controller. And I'd expect it to be at least 3 years before you see it.

Mach4 (the next version) has been in development for 3 years. When it's (hopefully) released next year, I'd expect at least another year or more for development of additional features with a much higher priority than tablet support.

3395

General Mach Discussion / Re: Info on Mach3 Licence and Activation

« on: December 02, 2012, 12:08:31 AM »

There's not really any activation. You just receive a file that you copy into the Mach3 installation folder. You can put it on a memory stick to move it from one PC to the other.

As for the av program, there's a very good chance it will interfere with Mach3 operation.

3396

General Mach Discussion / Re: My favorite things this year!

« on: December 02, 2012, 12:05:38 AM »

Garry do you have a thread with more detail on your project?

Yes, but it's a long way from being finished.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc_wood_router_project_log/138890-z%B2.html

3397

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool and Work Offset questions

« on: December 01, 2012, 06:40:40 PM »

Read the manual on G43 and G44.
Normally, you'd use G43 to turn on tool length offsets, and G49 to turn them off. I'd never seen G44 mentioned before, but the manual says it's provided for compatibility, and is used for negative offsets.

I have a feeling that G43 works for both positive and negative offsets though.

Personally, I find using an auto zero plate is much easier than using G43/G49.

3398

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: December 01, 2012, 03:17:13 PM »

Hit "Enter", and type G20, and hit "Enter" 2 more times.

There's nothing in the install or screenset to switch it to mm's. Did you by chance run some metric g-code?
It's a good idea to have a G20 at the start of your g-code to make sure Mach3 is in the correct mode when running your inch g-code.

3399

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with setup & controler

« on: December 01, 2012, 07:39:10 AM »

The stepper does seem a bit hot after just a few minutes of twisting with no load . . .145 F and climbing.  Any thoughts on that?  The Gecko is hovering at 108 F.  That’s just a 20 F rise from ambient. 

Getting maximum performance from steppers requires high voltage, which also causes hot motors. Make sure you have the proper size resistors, and have them wired correctly.

Gecko recommends having a fan blowing on the G540 to keep it cool.

3400

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool and Work Offset questions

« on: December 01, 2012, 12:05:51 AM »

If you use G92 instead of offsets, you don't have to worry about how to deal with the Z offset. Just zero at the start.