Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 29, 2011, 02:09:32 AM »

The most basic breakout board is just a set of connections for pins on the parallel port, but that provides no protection for the PC and doesn't deal with the fact that PC parallel ports don;t always put out 5V or that you can draw very limited current from them.
Usually even if something is mis wired and you don't have any isolation on the board about the worst thing that happens is you kill the parallel port. I'm a bit surprised that you could kill 2 computers with it, unless there is a pretty drastic wiring issue, like something dramatically more than 5V being fed back into the parallel port.

I run a G540 on my Sherline, it's a great product, but you should be able to salvage some of the chinese stuff you have, the BOB does sound like junk. The steppers will be fine on a sherline, I run bigger 270 oz ones but they are massive overkill especially with the standard 20tpi lead screws.

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: Incorrect Router Repositioning

« on: June 28, 2011, 05:13:33 PM »

Try setting the maximum velocities and accelerations to much lower numbers in the motor config.

When GCode runs there are basically two different movement types G1/G2/G3 which move at a specified feed rate and G0 which moves at the machines maximum speed, usually between cuts the GCode uses G0 to reposition the machine. Clearly since you can cut a circle moving at the cutting speed isn't an issue.

I'd start by setting the max speed to whatever cutting speed you are currently using successfully, and the acceleration to something low, if that works you can start looking for what the practical maximums are.

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: OD Taper Wizard Help Needed

« on: June 28, 2011, 04:50:50 PM »

Ignore wrong thread

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Incorrect Router Repositioning

« on: June 28, 2011, 04:47:52 PM »

Isn't it likely he's skipping steps during rapids.
i.e. either his acceleration or his max velocity is set too high.
The cut is probably fine because he's probably cutting at a much lower rate than the rapid speed, when the G0 executes to get him to the next pass it skips steps and he ends up with them offset.

35

General Mach Discussion / New machine XP or Win7?

« on: June 27, 2011, 02:03:03 PM »

I currently running EMC2 on my Mill, I built a new computer for controlling the mill this weekend based on an atom board, and I thought I'd give Mach3 a try.
So I installed a copy of XP, and the Mach3 demo.
The convenience of the wizards has me considering changing over from EMC2.
Since I haven't used XP in years and my XP licenses all seem to have gotten lost/thrown out at some point I'll have to buy an OS either XP or Win7, which is the better OS for Mach?