Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: What would cause my limit switches to trip?

« on: December 24, 2012, 01:22:50 PM »

Is the BOB in a metal box? A simple one could be enough ti ground the board.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: What would cause my limit switches to trip?

« on: December 09, 2012, 06:52:53 AM »

The problem is with the welding. Think of it as a radio transmitter. Remember when CB radios would bleed over into the tv and stero? I wonder if putting a grounded wire screen would trap the interferance?

Try a metal case for the computer or at least a metal box to help shield the eveything. Move the TIG away from the machine.

Hal

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: China 3020 Machine Losing Axis position

« on: October 23, 2012, 09:07:41 PM »

Windows XP Professional System Optimization Guide:

Try going through this file.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: China 3020 Machine Losing Axis position

« on: October 22, 2012, 08:41:40 PM »

Try slowing the motors down. Look for internet connecting programs. Try searching post for lost steps.

More than one person has had to replace the blue box with a Gecko 540.

Hal

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: arc/circle move with R code

« on: September 22, 2012, 06:56:13 PM »

Some CAD will output the 2d arc as straight lines from a 3d model. Catia being a high end 3d modeling program maybe the caaause. I have the same issue with Inventor from time to time. It is in the arc conversition between 3d file and 2d surface.

Hal

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: RAPID TO STOP AT A WHOLE NUMBER (How To)

« on: September 22, 2012, 05:21:55 PM »

I have never seen a cnc machine do that. The whole numbers are better serve by using MDI. once you have set your zero points, MDI is the quick way to go.

This is IMHO

Hal

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help I need to get setup!!

« on: September 09, 2012, 10:04:05 PM »

Let's start with some basics.
1 You need a CAD program This will be for editting the drawing It should be able to handle scale and move of the drawing. I draw a rectangle for the stock and put a corner at X0,Y0. Price goes with bells and whistles. Simpler the easier to learn.

2. Practice, practice, practice. Learn your software.

3 Try baby steps. Small victories are better than totally lost and giving up.

4. The file will load to were your 0,0. If it is in the center,or at a corner the path is loaded there. Reseting the zeroes will move the path.

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help I need to get setup!!

« on: September 09, 2012, 07:08:53 PM »

The DXF X0, Y0 is not in the same place ypu have the machine X0, Y0. I will draw a rectangle around my figure. This will give me a size to scale to and a place to move to my machine X0,Y0.

If neede send me your file and I will move it for you. Where would you like the X0, Y0? Bottom left would work,

Hal

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Compensating for table misalignment

« on: September 03, 2012, 01:35:52 PM »

You need to square your machine. Can you shim the table? You can check this by using an indicator. Mount it in the spindle. Swing the spindle to check the Spindle centerline to table top. Move the indicator around the table to check the table flatness. You might be able to adjust the guides to get the table flat or shim the table.

Hal

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setting up my home machine coordinate position, without homing or limit switches

« on: September 02, 2012, 12:30:58 PM »

Try the "ZERO X" and "ZERO Y" buttons beside the DRO line.

For safety it is best to have the limit switches installed. You never know when a mistake will make you wish you had. The Home switches are nice for running repeat parts.

The soft limits could be used to limit the travel. If your work area was 12 x 12. You could set the limits to clear your stock and cutter. This should limit the travel to just your working area.

The normal practice is to use normally closed switches and wiring. If you break a wire the machine will stop. I run a Gecko 540 and there are connections for the home and limit switches. Check your breakout board for inputs for the switches. Mach3 will have port and pin settings for the inputs.

Hal