Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Irregular circles

« on: April 13, 2006, 03:12:25 AM »

I've had issues with my CNC router.  It's new, commercial grade.  My circles cut are irregular in shape.  All in the same side.  I cut 15 holes, all irregular in the same way.

I've heard of such a thing on the yahoo forums.  Was there ever a solution?


Thanks

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommended PC Configuration

« on: March 28, 2006, 10:40:55 PM »

http://www.viatech.com/en/initiatives/spearhead/mini-itx/

Mini ITX, fanless motherboard is where it starts.  OR, you can go the less expensive way:

Use a small form factor Mini ATX, (biostar) motherboard, and then buy a "CF to IDE adapter".  This adapter has a slot for a CF card, but has regular IDE connections.  This makes your CF card look like a hard drive.  If it's 2 gig or more you can install XP directly on it.  If it's smaller, you will need to install it first on a regular hard drive then mirror, ghost, that hard drive to the CF drive installed as a slave.  Once the partition is copied over you can remove the hard drive and install the CF drive as the master.

There are some programs out there like www.litepc.com.  That will allow you to pear down the XP foot print to about 700 meg.

Having everything in one place is really nice, however the con is that everything is tight.  Replacement of parts isn't so fun.

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommended PC Configuration

« on: March 28, 2006, 12:38:53 AM »

I've been able to get XP installed on 700 meg.  This is running on a machine with a 1Gig CF card.  No hard drive.  Surprisingly fast too for a CF card.

I've also been running XP embedded, but having some issues with driver integration.   This version should be well under 200 meg.  The only draw back is, no IE, no Shell.... Just Mach and Notepad.

I'm coming to the conclusion that with CF cards in the 1 gig flavor under $50..  Maybe I will stick with installs of XP on a diet.  They have all the functions of XP, but no fat.  Runs Mach3 wonderfully, and installed inside the control box. 

24

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: The future!

« on: March 17, 2006, 12:17:13 PM »

I don't have alot of money, but I could give blood!

I do have 5 kids, want one? 

"And the teenager is yours to keep, even if you return the rest.  What have you got to lose!  Call today for this limited offer."


Speaking of the future, maybe Mach already does this:  When you are decending in a Z plunge, it's really no fun to watch it cut air.  Can some type of formula be written in Mach that is rapid, but decelerating as it approaches the work level?   

25

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: G100 and printer ports?

« on: March 17, 2006, 11:52:36 AM »

Man I sure wish I knew more about programming.  I would truely enjoy helping out on this.

So no more breakout board mess?

What does that do for processing time on the PC?  Can I run multiple GREX / ModIO systems off of one PC at the same time?

26

Mach3 and G-Rex / G100 and printer ports?

« on: March 17, 2006, 01:56:18 AM »

Now, from looking at the beta of Mach4, I'll still be able to use all my lpt ports correct?

PWM Spindle,..... can still be routed through traditional ports?

Since the GREX uses it's own processor, how does that effect the cpu load on Mach4?

I'm assuming that there is some type of syncing process between the two interfaces?

Can I still use my MOD/IO with Mach 4?

I know, silly questions, but ones I think are pretty basic.

27

Mach3 and G-Rex / The future!

« on: March 16, 2006, 08:13:20 PM »

I've just ordered my first G100.  I have to say, I'm giddy like a school girl.

Mariss, (GeckoDrives) and I had a wonderful chat about what's on the horizon in the next 12 months.  I have to say... WOW!.

Probably the biggest source of excitement for me is closed loop stepper operation.  Next is "detached stepper".  From what I understand is that while in closed loop, if the stepper is lagging 1.8 degrees behind the stepper speed is slowed (increases torque), so that the number of parts ruined from bad code can be reduced. (lots of advantages here)  Mach 4 is really going to be a big part of all this and I couldn't be more excited about it.

Any idea when I could pay for my Mach 4 upgrade?  Approximately how much do you think it will be?

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: changing a broken tool mid program run? Z height issue

« on: March 06, 2006, 02:37:09 AM »

I'm new too...  I'd sure like to know.  I just scraped all my parts when this happened.

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommended PC Configuration

« on: March 06, 2006, 02:35:32 AM »

I'm working on a version of Windows XP embedded to run ONLY Mach software.  It will have no shell, no explorer, just Mach.  Total footprint right now is 168 meg.  I will be running this on a Micro ITX board running at 1.3Ghz, 256 meg ram and a 512 meg CF card for it's hard drive.  No fans... No moving parts.

The biggest issue I see with using your multitasking PC for machine control is that multitasking word.  Really and truely, this needs to be more of a dedicated PC.  I know it's tempting to be jamming out with some MP3's or watching your favorite movie while making a neat little widget, but don't expect to get 100% performance from the controller.

I'll be providing more details as I get the testing out of the way.

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: XP Embedded, Mach syntax

« on: February 22, 2006, 09:18:59 PM »

I want to load a XML profile and screen set all automatic.  My OS and Mach files can all be loaded on a solidstate 512 meg CF card.  1.3 Ghz, no fan system.  Totally silent.

Mach will be the only software on the machine.  Cool huh?