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I have found most 'stability' problems are really problems related to how the machine was put together. Poor wiring practice often leads to incorrectly grounded machines that give the PC fits. Some types of components, like VFDs produce a LOT of electrical noise and if not installed properly (grounding, isolation, etc) then there is almost always problems.Dear jeff,
I run two of my machines from via Pico motherboards which are only 1Gig CPUs. I do however use external controllers (Smoothstepper and Ethernet Smoothstepper) and that does take a lot of the stress away from the computer.Hmm, you could be right. I have a a second PC hooked up on my machine and i think that when a PC is just new, it works better. But after few months it starts creating problems. It could be the dust destroying the M-board possibly. Do you know a cost effective solution to keep the electronics and control cool while keeping air tight? I was thinking about using a small refrigerator and changing the thermostat with a 25-35 degrees or using a cheap closed loop temperature controller with the fridge(17$ on ebay). Panel coolers and heat exchangers are very expensive here. A used on on ebay i found for 300$. (a new small fridge cost here 100$). The idea seems funny but i guess it should work if i keep the temperature a bit high than the Dew point.
Using 25KHz should be the most stable but 1/4 stepping is probably not the best to use, I think 1/10 is optimum according the Gecko so as close to that the better. That however will make no difference to the computer so its not your problem.
Maybe your issues are power? Could your power be dirty and fluctuate a lot?
I am testing out a new external controller at the moment from CS Lab of Poland and so far it is looking very good, it also runs needs Mach but everyone I have seen so far that is using them seems to like them and no issues so far.
Hood
I have no experience with the controls you mention but also I have never experienced any of the problems with Mach that you mention. I can not remember the last time I had the computer freeze up etc.I am even more confused when everybody says me that. Seems like i should try a faster computer than a P4.
Sounds to me like you have problems more with the computer than with Mach.
Hood
I have a lot of casting iron being ground every day around the machine.That grinding dust goes everywhere. You shouldn't have a cnc machine let alone a PC near it. The grinding area should be vented properly.
THE absolute worse thing you could do is blow the PC/electronics out with an Airhose IF conductive dust is the problem. It just drives the dust deeper into the board and connection points.
Rule #1 protect your electronics from the dust.
Just a thought (;-) TP
changing software is not going to solve anything if the hardware you have it on is faulty.i would appreciate if you can suggest me a way to do so. Any place for panel AC?
mach 3 is very very very stable. I have been using it for years! I have 6 cnc machines in my garage alone running on mach 3.
Everything from printer port operation to smooth stepper mills and lathes. I even have mach 3 running from a acer netbook with a smooth stepper. Get your computer lined out first and formost otherwise your not going to have luck with anything.
the fans and filters are not gonna work here. I have a lot of casting iron being ground every day around the machine.SOMETIMES with new computers they RUN "TOO" FAST and can cause problems with CB and macros running out of sync.
NOW that is just MY opinion from past experiences. Your mileage may vary due to local variables,
Just something to check, you may have to add some wait states into your macro code now.
(;-) TP
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