Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis isn't working

« on: October 19, 2013, 02:59:37 PM »

Good Show!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis isn't working

« on: October 09, 2013, 10:57:21 PM »

A bit of clarification. The G00 is a rapid command, that is it ignores the F word programmed feed rate. It will move at the max feed as designated by the velocity set for that axis in the Motor Tuning.
A G01 will move at the programmed F feed rate, (as long as it does not exceed the max set in Motor Tuning).

You will need to determine the max velocity and acceleration for each axis in Motor Tuning. To do this, increase each parameter (velocity and acceleration) one at a time until the max is found. The max is where the stepper stalls, (it will not move, just buzz). Then back off 15% or 20%.

You are getting there!

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis isn't working

« on: October 09, 2013, 02:23:05 PM »

Looks like your Steps per Degree is resolved and you have now run into a feedrate issue.

Here again the problem is the different units. As an example say you have a feedrate of F10. A feedrate of 10 in/min would be quite reasonable for the linear axis but 10 deg/min for the A axis would barely go tick, tick, In fact it would take over half an hour to go only one rev. To obtain say 10 RPM on the A axis would require an F3600.

If your project will allow keeping the linear and rotary moves on separate lines, then enter the desired feed on the line for each axis.  Make sure your A axis velocity is set high enough.

If not, it gets a little trickier. Mach has a feature called ‘Rotation Radius’ on the Settings page. This will allow Mach to calculate internally a deg/min that will result in the requested linear feed at a given radius. 

You may find this calculator helpful:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html

Hope this helps.
Al

Hi, Thanks for the reply.

I have used the 4.444 step per setting but the movement of the a-axis was virtually imperceptible, although I was able to hear a tick-tick-tick-... which was likely each degree. The velocity line was not visible on the motor tuning graph, probably below the range. Nonetheless, maybe I can jack up the Acceleration to compensate.

Thanks again for your help.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis isn't working

« on: October 09, 2013, 02:25:14 AM »

As Fasttest1 stated:
“200x8=1600 steps per revolution of the stepper.”
Note the units are steps per revolution
I think what you are wanting is actually steps per degree.
So divide the 1600 steps per rev by 360 to get 4.4444 steps per deg.
al
 

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ideas for a jig to do Set Steps Per Axis?

« on: September 17, 2013, 06:16:59 AM »

Using the “Steps Per Axis” will result in an approximate value that is only as accurate as the measuring device. The exact value is determined by the hardware.  You should be able to use this calculator to determine the exact value. If your inputs are correct the result should be very close to your known good approximate values.  If not try other suspect inputs.
Al


http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html

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General Mach Discussion / Re: PhotoVCarve and Mach 3 ....will only carve 1/2" by 1/2".....help

« on: August 21, 2013, 12:43:03 AM »

You may find this stepper calculator helpful.      http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.msg110286.html#msg110286
al

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: File rotation

« on: July 17, 2013, 02:56:59 PM »

You should be able to use a G68 code to speceify the center of rotation and number of degrees.
al

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gear Milling

« on: June 25, 2013, 12:57:59 PM »

Glad to help

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gear Milling

« on: June 24, 2013, 04:54:13 PM »

You can’t control a rotary and linear axis independently in the same block nor would you want to. For the example:
G1 A360 F30 X1.00 F6
At 30 deg/min it would take 12 min for the A to make one rev while at six in/min the X would move one inch in 10 sec. They won't come out even.
The problem is the different units used for each, (deg/min vs. in/min).

Fortunately Mach has a feature to resolve this prob. Use the in/min feed that you want to cut and then enter the radius of the work in the ‘Rotation Radius’ block on the ‘Settings’ page. Mach will use this radius to calc the actual rotary and axial feeds to achieve your required resultant feed rate.
Al

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Will Mach3 let me pass the edge of a job past a fixed welding torch

« on: June 03, 2013, 08:48:29 PM »

Ricky, See if this is what you had in mind.
The first attached file is the Gcode for an 850 X 600 rectangle with 100 radius corners.
The second is the same drawing with all lines broken into short segments.
The third is the second file converted to Polar coordinates for use with a C-axis rotary table.
Will provide details if it looks like you can use this method.
Al