Messages

701

General Mach Discussion / Re: minimum spec for pc with galil

« on: November 28, 2009, 11:55:05 PM »

Don't make your life harder by trying to use an old clunky PC. Even without the parallel port driver working Mach still has to access large Gcode files, talk to the galil card, and of course Windows needs to do its own thing. You can pick up a used 1.5gHz PC for next to nothing, even a new low end machine can be had for a couple hundred bucks.

702

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unstable stepper pulse

« on: November 28, 2009, 11:50:00 PM »

The hiccup or tick sound comes from variations (jitter) in the output pulse stream from your parallel port. When using Mach it is best to start out with a fresh install of Windows and then delve into the Mach optimization steps as needed (see mach download page for optimization document.) Use the built in mach driver test (drivertest.exe in c:/mach) to see how your system is responding. Typically that will do the trick. There is also a 'special' Mach driver for those systems that don't like the standard driver.

My preference is to use a SmoothStepper: http://soigeneris.com/Warp9.aspx

703

General Mach Discussion / Re: tap file operates y axis different

« on: November 27, 2009, 09:30:50 AM »

Welcome to the goofiness of G-Code. You can never just 'bring in' G-code. G-code is always written w.r.t. a logical (local) zero point (0,0,0) which may by quite different than you actual machine (physical) zero point.

704

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 25, 2009, 09:49:14 PM »

You should just need the SmoothStepper and a LPH26 to DB25 cable. I don't know how you plan on mounting your SS board but you will want to put it in soem sort of enclosure. You may have room in your current Camtronics box. I have a USB panel mount cable for that on my website.

705

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 25, 2009, 09:27:04 PM »

Well, I do not have nearly enough information to even hazard to guess. please explain your situation a bit more.

706

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 25, 2009, 07:30:30 PM »

The SmoothStepper is an external motion control board that communicates with Mach3 through a USB port. It has two I/O ports that are mapped like a parallel port as well as a 3rd port designed to be easy to interface for encoders of various sorts. The manufacturers website is warp9td.com, and you can also find for sale at various dealers like my shop soigeneris.com.

707

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Running on new windows 7

« on: November 25, 2009, 09:36:23 AM »

Works great! One word of caution though. Most new PCs that come loaded with windows also have a ton of other crap already installed. Make sure you get a PC that actually comes with a real Win7 CD/DVD so you can reinstall the OS without the 'extras;.

708

General Mach Discussion / Re: E-Stop After Zeroing an Axis

« on: November 24, 2009, 12:41:17 PM »

You need to provide a lot more information. What type of drives? Does the machine look/sound any different when the EStop happens? How are your home/limit switches connected?

709

General Mach Discussion / Re: USB Connection

« on: November 23, 2009, 01:38:43 PM »

If you are wanting to run your machine via a USB port instead of the parallel port your best option is the SmoothSteppr: http://soigeneris.com/Warp9.aspx (yes a shameless plug on my part). It replicates two full parallel ports worth of I/O (plus it has a Port 3 as well) and works great with Mach.

710

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper (Soigeneris) up and running!!!!

« on: November 23, 2009, 11:51:04 AM »

Oh, on the jog speed: did you set the 'Slow Jog Rate' % in the jog control fly out? Works for me here...

I don't use a touch probe myself so I'll have to do some experimentation on that one. I do have other customers that use it so I know it works with the G540/SS combo.