Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to enable my 4th axis

« on: May 13, 2013, 07:22:12 AM »

1) Go into config/ports&pins to enable A
2)Go to config/toolpath and check a-rotations enabled and check your corresponding axis of rotation.
3) Go to config/motor tuning and set steps per (this will be steps per 360 degrees of rotation) and velocity (this will be revolutions per minute)

Your program run (Alt-1) screen should show x, y, z, and 4.  Hitting tab key should fly out the MPG and you should be able to see a 4th pair of buttons for jogging the 4th axis. 

I've been working on this as I will begin building a separate machine for turning using a CA Harborfreight lathe.  The advantage there is to be able to make an extended bed using steel angle.  I'll mount the whole thing to an i-beam for rigidity and feed my router horizontally.  It should be a fun build.

Bob

32

FAQs / Re: i need help!

« on: August 27, 2012, 06:06:57 AM »

A single rapid step when reversing indicates possibly your step/direction settings or wiring is reversed. 

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Capacitors

« on: August 27, 2012, 05:54:00 AM »

Interesting.  I am having noise issues with my limits.  I do not want to let the smoke out of my BOB so please explain the wiring of the cap.

34

Share Your GCode / Re: Machine part, from part to g-code.

« on: August 22, 2012, 06:46:33 AM »

I have tried to use Lazy Cam myself and was not able to master it.  I currently use Vectric Cut2d which is inexpensive and easy to use.  I bought a copy of Bobcad and did not master it either.  I draw complex shapes on TurboCad and transfer them to Cut2d to generate the g-code.

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Which step setting to use...

« on: August 20, 2012, 11:10:47 PM »

Any jerky motion is an indication of skipping steps.  You could go into motor tuning and set the acceleration as low as you can stand and test the machine.  My machine is 50 x 120 inches with all the electronics/steppers/power supplies mounted in the gantry.  The only cords that are running from the gantry are a 120VAC power cord and the Parallel cable.  I found that no matter what I did with the gear ratios and microsteps I could not get the motors to quit skipping steps.  I replaced the 420 oz-in motor on the x-axis with a 650 and problem solved.  I am running at 36 volts on the drives but have on hand a 48 volt power supply that I will install with the other 2 motors.  Awaiting drivers as we speak.  If you have 8 wire motors you will get the most torque if you wire them in bipolar parallel. 

You may also have a mechanical problem that is causing the jerky motion.  So many times we overlook the obvious.

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine Not Moving Off Reference Switch

« on: August 20, 2012, 10:52:20 PM »

I installed a new switch this evening with no improvement in performance.  I went into the general logic config and increased the debounce interval to 60 which seemed to do the trick.  I started at 120 and worked my way down until it malfunctioned and went up 20. 

Question:  Will this setting on the debounce effect my motor accuracy in any way?

Bob

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine Not Moving Off Reference Switch

« on: August 20, 2012, 07:29:23 AM »

The one switch turns the LED green and reverses off the switch.  The other switch just triggers an e-stop.  Since both switches are in series I am completely baffled. 

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine Not Moving Off Reference Switch

« on: August 20, 2012, 04:59:19 AM »

I have exhausted my ideas.  Anyone have another?

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machine Not Moving Off Reference Switch

« on: August 19, 2012, 01:57:10 PM »

I am having a similar problem.  Trying to cure it one axis at a time.  Working on x.  I installed shielded cable and ground the shield to the machine.  2 switches are wired in series NC, active low.  I have isolated the X axis from the others by placing it on pin 11 by itself.  One of the switches works properly, ie. when activated the axis reverses off the switch and zeros the DRO.  The other switch merely limits forward motion without resetting nor reversing off the switch.

I will attempt to solve it by increasing the "debouncing" in the general configuration tab.

Next isolate homing by setting x-- and x++ to port 0 and pin 0.

I shall give a full report after my findings.

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: Houston tx DIY`ERS/HOBBYISTS

« on: August 19, 2012, 09:03:08 AM »

Located in Santa Fe.  Perfecting my 49 x 120 router.