Messages

11

Mach3 under Vista / Aspire file to Mach3

« on: November 27, 2011, 11:50:57 AM »

Don't know if this was discussed before.  I searched but could not find the answer.
My problem is that I had Vectric Aspire and Mach3 on my machine running Windows XP.
I could generate my g-code in Aspire and when I save it have the option to send the g-code direct to Mach3...if Mach3 was open and running.

I upgraded the PC and is running Windows 7 now.

I can open Mach3...manually load a file and cut, but when I save from Aspire and tell it to send a copy to Mach3, it returns with some error saying 'FAILED TO ATTACH TO MACH'..... Failed to find running instance of Mach.
At this point Mach is open and running and I can manually load the g-code and do my cutting.

Is this a problem of Windows 7 ? or is there a small trick that I missed to get it to work. Thank's

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble cutting accurate parts

« on: September 13, 2010, 03:30:54 PM »

So what do you suggest I do.  I am microstepping my driver (1/16 step)currently.
  Should I change it to half step and then use another value for my step setup Or am I barking up the wrong tree.

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble cutting accurate parts

« on: September 13, 2010, 03:17:04 PM »

Thank's Al and Hood.

Previously I calculated the steps as per my pinion sizes etc and got to 54 I think. I then used the Calibration in Mach to FINETUNE it.
Firtsly I draw a block in CAD say 500 x 500 then cut it say 1mm thick. I then measured the block and got maybe 501.6mm. I then used the calibration and told Mach to move x=500. Now I know I measured 501.6mm on my block that was suppose to be 500. So when Mach asked how far did it move I entered 501.6mm. Mach then re-calculated the steps and got maybe 53.923456783......lots of digits.

I brought it back to a full number of 54 tonight and did not see the problem yet....will have to do some more testing.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble cutting accurate parts

« on: September 11, 2010, 12:51:00 PM »

I have a question on Mach3. I don't know if it was ever addressed here or not, but let me try and explain my situation.
I have being running my CNC router for more than 2 years now.
I bought a dial gauge the other day and last night I put it on to check the setup.
I was very very close with my steps, but then I notice the following.  I have seen it also while cutting. I programmed the piece to be cut 2mm deep but Mach3 shows 1.985 mm for instance.

I then did the following, ONLY on Mach3.

On the TAB called MDI I enter a value...say Y6.5 to move my Y axis 6.5 mm.
Sometimes it does show 6.5 but but other times it differs.

The very next move say y6.66 show 6.6481.

Remember I get this only playing in Mach3...no machine attached.  

When I do it on the machine and I see this difference between what I asked and what the DRO shows, I also see this difference on the dial gauge...Dial gauge shows this 6.64mm movement for the 6.66 asked.