Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Slave not synchronized

« on: August 09, 2011, 12:57:49 PM »

It does sound like a noise issue, especially if it's bette with the computer in a different socket.

Having said that if the motor is stalling on a direction change I'd aslo try turning down you acceleration, and disabling backlash compensation. It's possible you have the backlash compensation tuned to too high a % of the rapid rate, causing the motor to stall on direction changes.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: inconsistant cuts, THC, older version

« on: August 09, 2011, 12:44:56 PM »

If the DRO in mach shows the torch rising when it happens, it's a mechanical issue. Upgrading the software wil not help.
I'd start by looking very closely at the ZAxis to see if there is a mechanical problem there.

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC MISSING THE ODD STEP

« on: August 05, 2011, 11:00:46 AM »

You might also want to try increasing the pulse width, if you haven't already.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Most Recommended USB Controller

« on: August 04, 2011, 06:41:49 PM »

Just basing it off what I saw on the smooth stepper site (see below), guessing purely by how I would implement the feature, that he assumes that you see maximum backlash in any single move, so if not all of it gets taken up when the move isn't big enough to accomodate it, you'll have incorrect state for the compensation and end up off by the difference between the backlash value and the small move. But I'm guessing.

"Backlash compensation has been added. This version works great as long as you do not enter moves that are shorter than the amount of backlash you have. In particular, you will notice this if you use MDI or Step Jogs and you inch towards something and then back off. I am working on a version that will make that work properly."

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Most Recommended USB Controller

« on: August 04, 2011, 06:20:48 PM »

I believe currently backlash compensation doesn't work correctly on a smoothstepper if the commanded move is less than the backlash setting.
Probably not an issue for most people.

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Microstepping on the driver...

« on: August 01, 2011, 01:06:26 PM »

you would divide by 2 not 8 in that case but yes you will beed to change them

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and Small form factor PCs

« on: July 21, 2011, 10:19:02 PM »

I use an atom D525 based board which has a parallel port.
Works fine.

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unprogrammed Z axis down feed

« on: July 20, 2011, 10:36:04 PM »

If the DRO is not changing, mach doesn't think it's sending pulses to the Z axis.
I'd start by looking at the wiring.

19

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Is there any way to have the pocketing ops ramp down rather than directly plunge

« on: July 20, 2011, 03:29:23 PM »

So the angle is relative to the cutting plane or to the axis direction?
i.e are bigger numbers more gradual or less gradual ramps?

20

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Is there any way to have the pocketing ops ramp down rather than directly plunge

« on: July 20, 2011, 01:05:19 PM »

I'm currently using my CNC Sherline mill to cut parts for another CNC conversion, and the parts involve several deep pockets.
Because the Z Axis on the Sherline is not the most robust thing in the world I have to set the plunge rate to some ridiculously low value, it's made worse because the wizard uses the plunge rate from the safe Z height, on a 0.8 inch pocket I actually spend more time watching the cutter plunge from the safe Z height than I do watching it cut.
Is there anyway in the wizard to have the cutter ramp in, or use the rapid speeds until it's closer to the material?