Messages

981

FAQs / Re: Should (Can) I buy Mach 3

« on: April 27, 2017, 01:40:19 PM »

Never used a mac, so I can't answer that. But since there's only one version, I would think that it would work.

982

FAQs / Re: Should (Can) I buy Mach 3

« on: April 27, 2017, 12:28:12 PM »

1.  Will Mach 3 work on this computer

Not with the parallel port, but it will if you buy an external motion controller.

2) No, you don't need the internet
3) Yes.

Can't you download Mach3 on your mac, put it on a flash drive, and then install it on your other PC. It's not 1990. There are easier ways of copying files than moving the PC between buildings.

983

Tangent Corner / Re: Help and advise please

« on: April 27, 2017, 12:25:21 PM »

It is my understanding the above referenced kit comes with MACH3.

It either has the freely available demo version, or a pirated license. Mach3 alone is $175.

I would not recommend it, unless you are building a very small machine driven directly with belts. It won't spin those motors fast enough for a screw driven machine

If you want to build a machine, buy the motors and electronics last, so you'll have a better idea of what you need.

984

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scaling Mach3 imported dxf files

« on: April 24, 2017, 09:34:40 PM »

What size is your stock when you create the g-code in MeshCAM?

Is your machine setup in the same units that you're using in MeshCAM?

985

Mach3 under Vista / Re: another ref all home problem

« on: April 23, 2017, 10:05:44 PM »

Set the debounce to 5000 and see if it makes a difference.

986

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Is G31.1 for a second probe implemented in the ESS plugin form Mach4?

« on: April 23, 2017, 01:36:41 PM »

The Warp9 forum would probably be a better place to ask.

987

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Re: wired toolpath and no idea why

« on: April 23, 2017, 07:49:20 AM »

... so what is the right way to switch G90/G91 without changing G91.1?

As I said, they need to be on separate lines.

988

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Re: wired toolpath and no idea why

« on: April 23, 2017, 07:35:34 AM »

cambam is quite heavily used by mach3 users - I can't imagine, that I'm the first, that run into trouble.

That's not specifically your issue. But it doesn't change the fact that the post is wrong for doing it that way.

And, if you only used CamBam, you'd never see an issue.
But if you were to run some G91 code before your CamBam code, you then run into an issue.

I wonder, how mach3 did the green circles without any axis enabled

You don't need any axis enabled to display the toolpath.

989

Mach3 under Vista / Re: another ref all home problem

« on: April 23, 2017, 06:50:10 AM »

I'm assuming that it says LIMIT switch triggered, not HOME switch triggered?
If so, you either have noise, or switch bounce triggering the switch after it's homed.

Try increasing the Debounce in general config.

990

General Mach Discussion / Re: Compatibility Test Diagnostics Failed !

« on: April 23, 2017, 06:47:39 AM »

Frankly any manufacturer who doesn't bother to bring out a Mach4 plugin
for their controller is going to go out of business.

CNC Drive does have their own very good control software, which is in direct competition with Mach3/Mach4. They wouldn't be going out of business without a Mach4 plugin, but it opens up a different market for them.

The Warp9 ESS I am familiar with. It has '3 parallel ports' as output. It means that all the input/output pins have been grouped
together to behave like a parallel ports so familiar to us who've used Mach3. It also means that all those breakout boards that we used
when we used a parallel port can be used as buffers/amplifiers for the ESS board. There is no real reason that all the pins, 40 or so, couldn't
just be arranged in a line but Warp9 decided to make it easier for those who had used Machs parallel ports for years.

There are breakout boards made specifically for the ESS, which bring out all of the pins for all 3 ports. An excellent one is the MB2 from CNC Room.
http://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper
It has lots of great features, including analog spindle control.
And, you can also use it with the UC300ETH from CNC Drive. Here's a pic of my UC300ETH mounted to an MB2 breakout board.