Messages

41

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / 4th Axis for CNC Router

« on: November 13, 2007, 04:29:34 AM »

Here's a 4th axis I built from a 6 inch rotary table and a high-torque NEMA 34.  The rotary mount is fixed to and MDF bed and the tailstock slides to accommodate the workpiece.  The whole unit bolts down to the table of my CNC Router.  A Gecko G203V (Vampire) drive quick connects to the NEMA 34 and safely disconnects when not in use (don't try this with other drives... it'll burn them out!).  A Perske 24k rpm spindle (on a VFD) holds the tool.  I use either a laser or dial-indicator to true to gantry, that usually takes about 5 minutes.

This setup works great and I can cut using full numerical rotations or via indexing.

-Haik

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: shuttle pro problem in version 2.45/2.47

« on: October 06, 2007, 06:32:33 PM »

Why not update the Plugin Download page to show plugin is 2.00.081!!

43

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Your opinion of Vista ?

« on: July 26, 2007, 04:07:51 PM »

Hi mhdale,

About "It (Vista) asks you about everthing"... This is just a feature (named: UAC) and is easily turned off. If you feel you don't want the feature and do turn it off you'll have an unobstructed "XP'ish" experience.

See my post for full details: http://www.artsoftcontrols.com/forum/index.php?topic=2385.msg23290#msg23290

All,

I too use several OS brands and versions in a given work week, and I write both managed and unmanaged code.  Microsoft, Mac, Linux, etc... Whatever?!  These are the tools we have at our disposal; choose the best tool for your job and rock-it!  OS is less often the culprit compared to code running that makes illegal calls and throws unhandled exceptions.  I think many problems can be avoided when software authors have good test practices and create (test) harnesses and tools that exercise their code so the user/customer and the OS they're using doesn't have to.  Speaking for myself, I'm accountable for all the code I ship.

Fun stuff, eh? :-)

44

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 10, 2007, 01:10:13 AM »

Yes, it's as Brian explained... for almost a week I tried everything before contacting Art.  Nothing I tried ever put a dent in the problem... but Art stuck to it and found the problem and fixed it.  I'll bet many users will benefit with this fix in place!

-Haik

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 09, 2007, 01:38:30 AM »

Will do on topping-out the Vel and Accl... I've already expeienced stalling and on a 4-stack/1300oz-in NEMA 34 @ 80vdc I gotta say it sounds ugly. :-(

GREAT NEWS is Art made a change for me that fixed the "crawling" problem I was having. 4 Axis code now runs as fast as my steppers allow! I do need to use high F values, but I've heard of others having to do that and since that's such a small thing... "no problem."

Also... My "THANKS" Bret, Gianni, and you for helping me out!

Oh, by the way... I'm making balusters and other turned parts. In my pic you might notice I have Perske spindles (on VFD, RPMs/Frequency controlled by Mach3), 1 verticle and 1 horizontal. G100 and 5 G203V's round out the control.

And Art, again, THANK YOU!!!

46

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 08, 2007, 06:01:31 PM »

Here's my XML... Thanks!!!

47

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 08, 2007, 03:09:40 PM »

I'm using stepper motors and I have G203v (10 microstep) drivers on all axis, but on XY and Z the steps are set to 4000 steps and the screws are 2 TPI. So I'm "microstepping"  and there are 2000 step pulses per turn.

On A the steps are currently set to 500, so I believe I'm set to "steps per degree" (as in 500 steps p/deg, 4 deg p/crank rot, 1:1 pulleys, 90:1 table gearing, 180,000 steps for 360 deg). It seems that 180,000 steps p/360 degrees is radically high, maybe I should be full-stepping (div by 10) and then the step relationship between XYZ and A will be closer?

I hope this is the info your asking for... and "Thanks" for helping!!!

48

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 07, 2007, 11:41:07 PM »

Well... It's set to 500 steps:  My turntable is geared at 90:1 and stepper pulleys are 1:1

The thing is I get 90 degrees of rotation when I do A90... I do think this area of my setup needs investigation.   How can I test both approaches or can I

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 07, 2007, 11:00:02 PM »

This I don't know... where in Mach do I find/make this setting???

50

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis is slowing X, Y, and Z

« on: July 06, 2007, 01:41:54 PM »

Thanks for the reply!... Yes, I did try a diameter, my units are 'inches' and I tried a variety of diameters from .5"-20" all having no effect.  The .0001 diameter is supposed to Mach to use the 'Z' value for calculating rotational feedrate, but that had no effect either.

-Haik