Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / 2nd Parallel Port PCI Card (Recommendations)

« on: July 28, 2011, 08:06:13 AM »

I am currently updating my Shopbot PRT will all new electronics.

I wish to add a second Parallel Port Card to my Windows computer running XP (via a PCI Slot).

I would like to know if anyone here has installed such a card with success and what brand, make, model and vendor source they used to purchase it.  Associated cost would be nice if known.

Thanks,

John

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Breathing New Life Back Into a Shopbot PRT 48 X 96 CNC Router

« on: July 17, 2011, 08:11:35 AM »

Hi Hood,

First, thanks for your interest.

I currently just have it bread boarded.  i.e. wires everywhere  Ha Ha    I am working on installing the components in a cabinet.  I also need to order some heat sink material that I will mount the Gekco drives on.  When I get it finished I will post some pictures and a link to a video.

John
 

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Breathing New Life Back Into a Shopbot PRT 48 X 96 CNC Router

« on: July 17, 2011, 06:56:45 AM »

Yes,  It feels good to have it running as it should.  The Super PID Speed Controller and the 2010 Screen Set with Semi-Automatic Tool Changer and Probing options make it a really nice tool.

John

24

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin Version 2.3.7 Now Available

« on: July 16, 2011, 10:20:26 AM »

Hi Lee,

I just upgraded to your new version 2.3.7 and now I can't get my Game Stop Model # BB-070 to work.  Do you know the ProductId and VendorID for this unit or where I can find it?  It worked fine with your older version.

I get the Green light on the control and I have installed the version2.3.7 plugin into the Mach3 plugin folder.

When I look in the Plugin dialog box in Mach3 I have enabled the plugin it is asking for a Product ID and Vendor ID.  Currently it says no controller found.  I guess that is because I have not entered the ProductID and Vendor ID.

Many thanks for making a GREAT Plugin.

John

John

25

General Mach Discussion / Breathing New Life Back Into a Shopbot PRT 48 X 96 CNC Router

« on: July 16, 2011, 08:56:17 AM »

Hi,

I recently purchased a used Shopbot PRT 48 X 96 CNC Router.  The previous owner had modified the unit to work with Mach 3 software.  It had Gekco 202 geckodrive step motor drives.   They were a little noisy, especially when running at lower speeds.  It originally had a CNC4PC breakout board which successfully operated the Shopbot.

I cut a lot of plastics and had the need to reduce the spindle RPM in cutting this material.  Being new to the DYI concept of CNC tools I did quite a bit of research on possible retrofits to bring new life back to this machine on various forums on the internet.

I decided to install a Super PID Speed control kit on the router with a minimum RPM of 5000 and still have good torque for cutting.  I also decided to remove the current Shopbot control and make my own DYI control.  The only remaining electronic items left were a couple of proximity switches and the Stepper motors.

I also installed the 2010 Screen Set for my Mach 3 software that is feature rich in that it allows you to do semiautomatic tool changes, probing etc.

Yesterday a friend in Florida helped me assemble and wire up all the electronic components.   I couldn't have done this without his help.  I used a PMDX-126 Multi-Mode Breakout Board, 2 each PMDX-133 Motherboards for mounting the new Gekco 203V geckodrive step motor drives, and a PMDX-107 isolated speed control which interfaced with the Super PID Speed controller.  This allows me to have spindle RPM control via GCode that is run in the Mach 3 software.  Using the 2 each PMDX-133 motherboards will allow me to use up to 6 drives.  I also have 2 parallel ports one in the main CPU of my PC and also an add-on parallel port card in case I need any additional inputs etc. in the future.  I hope to add a 4th axis sometime in the future.

I now have to install the components in a cabinet that my brother made for me and install appropriate cooling fans for the electronics.

The Shopbot now runs like a dream.  QUIET and SMOOTH.  The total cost for the retrofit was around $1500.00.  All new electronics except for the stepper motors and a proximity switches.

John
 

26

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: July 10, 2011, 11:38:53 AM »

Hi Mark,

I am able to post to the zone so you might want check with their webmaster to see if somehow your settings are corrupted there.

John

27

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: July 10, 2011, 06:41:11 AM »

Hi Mark,

I just went through a similar situation.  In the Mach 3 Screen Go to help>about and check what version of Mach 3 you are running.  If you are running 3.43.022 there is a bug in the software that will cause it to lock up.  If you go to the Mach 3 website and update to version 3.42.040 all should work fine.

If you do a search here I think this has been talked about in a previous post.  I read about this situation on Gerry's website and thought I had the correct version loaded but somehow I loaded the wrong one. All is PERFECT now.

Hope this is your issue and that you get it sorted out.  What a GREAT ScreenSet.

John

28

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: June 23, 2011, 10:15:26 PM »

Hi Gerry,

Boy, you have done a fine job and are to be congratulated.

I spent some time yesterday installing your 2010 Screen Set.  I have explored most of the features and find the placement and access to them to be very user friendly.  The placement of both the Job Coordinate and Machine Coordinate DRO's side by side is an excellent idea.  The large work view area is another bonus.  The options you put in each of dialog boxes are well thought out and add to the ease of use of your screen set.  The Semi-Automatic tool changer looks like it will be a real GEM.  I haven't mounted my fixed tool plate permanently yet, but did test the operation with a temporary movable plate.  I wired up the tool plates like you suggested and everything worked like a charm.  That is a real time saver and will allow me to do tool changes of the parts I make on the router.  The Park Position, Safe Z, and REF Home buttons are handy and easy to use.  I might add that you have been very prompt in answering all my questions as they pertain to your 2010 Screen Set.

When I purchased my Shopbot router I thought I was pretty much ready to go, but have spent some time getting acquainted with Mach3 and the many options that can added to a stripped down machine to make it a really nice machine tool.  The Super PID solved my RPM issues and your 2010 screen set has just added the whipped cream to the whole setup. 

Thanks again for a GREATLY ENHANCED PRODUCT with SUPER SUPPORT and a price that is OUTSTANDING!    Wish you the Best!

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 02, 2011, 08:01:33 AM »

I noticed in your first post in this thread that you are running Windows 7.  Is your operationg system 32 bit or 64 bit?

John

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: XBOX 360 PLUGIN Reset Button

« on: May 26, 2011, 12:34:03 PM »

Hi,

First, thanks for your input.

I currently have the (X) button on the XBOX360 set for the (RESET) option and it doesn't allow a reset by pushing that button on the XBOX360 controller when a Limit Switch is Triggered.

John