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Topics - Vogavt

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11
General Mach Discussion / keranla Speed & Mach locking up
« on: May 27, 2012, 03:40:51 PM »
Can tto high of sa kernal speed cause Mach3 (latest verision) cause Mach3 to lock up after a few minutes (aboy 45mins? That's the only change I recall making so it makes sense. However, the PC apearred to running fine during the driver tesy.

12
General Mach Discussion / Using Oscilloscope with Mach3
« on: December 31, 2011, 12:32:29 AM »
I know very little about oscopes but have used them some at a former job.

I've searched through many threads that popped up from the search feature here in the forum as to what and how one could use them, where to connect the probes to obtain various readings, etc. to compare to what is shown in Mach, i.e., what is actual versus expected.

However, I didnt' find much information regarding such; only things like "if you have an oscope you could see..." or "hook up your oscope and look for ....".

I think they are fascinatiing tools but just don't know where to start if I were to purchase one.  My main reason for wanting one is to know where and how to look for possible lost steps or anything else someone would care to share with me.

Any insight would be most appreciated!

Vogavt

14
General Mach Discussion / Jerky motion but only when running G-Code
« on: June 25, 2011, 01:08:50 PM »
Using the latest lock-down version (Version R3.043.022).
Have read various "Jerky" threads and made changes to CV mode.,
Looked at Kernel Speed which shows I could run higher but leaving at 25k for the moment.
Installed MachBlue and noticed issues when running a small snippet of code that simply moves in the x-axis.

The odd thing is I don't have any problem when moving from the MDI; the axis moves smooth as butter.

So I uninstalled Mach, but kept the xml file and reinstalled Version R3.043.022 and replaced the previous saved xml.

Still doing the same thing. Can maneuver with the keyboard smoothly, can type movement directly in MDI and again move smoothly.

But when I load the code the stepper jerks, the pulses continue and of course gets workpiece positioning out of whack.

I'm at a loss.  Any where I need to start?

Everything was working fine before MachBlue, but I don't think that was the culprit at all.

Can someone take a look at my xml please?

Thanks in advance,
Vogavt

15
Using Mach 3, Version R3.042.020
Using xylotex XS-3525/8S-4
Using cnc4pc C11 board
Using Harbor Freight Mini-Mill (44991) with stock DC motor


I'm attempting to calibrate the spindle speed after discovering the speed was way off following the purchase of a hand-held tachometer.

Checked the "Spindle Pulleys" from the Configuration Drop down.
      Set to Pulley Number 1, min 500, max 1800, ratio 1
      Select Okay

Went to the settings tab and verified on Pulley 1.

Went to Function Cfg's, Calibrate Spindle
      Set the control to 500
      Pressed Spindle on/off and checked speed with tachometer
      Getting a reading of 2000 rpm!

Went back to "Spindle Pulleys" from the Configuration Drop down.
      Changed the ratio to 0.25
      Select Okay

Went to Function Cfg's..> Calibrate Spindle
      Set the control to 500
      Pressed Spindle on/off and checked speed with tachometer
      Still getting a reading of 2000 rpm!

I've restarted Mach3, I've saved settings, etc., but I can't seem to get the changes to take place.

Not sure how the AutoCal works since I don't have any feedback to system regarding RPM. I did note that when selecting AutoCal the software does in fact cause the speed to increase gradually, but I always stop before it ends due to the latter reason.

On the motor tuning of the spindle, I have:
      Steps per:  1000
      Velocity:     1500
      Accel:        161.25
      Step Pulse: 4
      Dir Pulse:    4

Odd thing is, I can't change the Velocity. I can type in new numbers but when I click somewhere else on the dialog, the number reverts to 1500.

On the Ports and Pins, Spindle Tab:
      Motor Control is set to Use Spindle Motor Output and Step/Dir. If I disable it, I can't get the spindle to turn at all.
     "ModBus Spindle - Use Step/Dir as well" is disabled
     "Special Functions - Use Spindle Feedback in Sync Mode" is disabled

Any help would be appreciated!

Happy New Year 2011,
Vogavt

16
General Mach Discussion / Confused about Steps, Pulses calculations
« on: April 25, 2010, 09:14:18 PM »
I have a 16tpi lead screw with steppers set to 1/8 and the usual 200 step motor which I calculate to 25600 steps (i.e. pulses).  However, when I use the automatic calculation routine within Mach3 I get something like 25830.69158, so I know it's close. I've got the kernel speed set to 25k.

I have the backlash disabled and therefore always move the axis in the negative and then to the positive before telling Mach to move to some desired distance in the positive direction. My caliper is fixed to the bed of the mill and the holder for the sliding portion of the caliper is fixed in the spindle. I'm currently using (+) 3.5" for the X-axis.

Here's what odd: I'm getting random measurements from the caliper. Sometimes it will land on 3.501", 3.497", 3.522", etc.  Note, I always move the bed negative, then positive, then rezero the caliper and the Mach3 DRO for the X-axis and before moving the prescribed distance. (This is to alleviate any backlash).

I haven't changed the pulse width or the kernel speed just yet and really don't know what to expect when I do other than having to retune the steppers which I'm trying to avoid.

I just can't figure out what the issue is.  Any help would be appreciated.


BTW, has anyone found that when you use the automatic calculation routine you have to input G90 in the MDI in order to get the steppers moving again?



17
I've been working on the Auto-zeroing Probe with great success.  Well, that is, as long as I remember to connect the wire to the touch plate/Center Finder.

I've failed to connect the wire twice and on both occasions I've ripped the pipe off the touch plate.  Both instances have been due to distractions (kids) right at the integral moment.

What I need is a snippet of code to put in the *.m1s that forces the computer to Beep. Not the external speakers, but the computer's speaker.


What I'm trying to do here is have the code stop you from performing a centering function until you have touched the spindle at least once. (This is to let Mach know that you may not have connected the wire to the plate just yet).  Once I touch the spindle with the wire/alligator clip, I want the code to resume in ~5 seconds. This will give me enough time to connect the wire to the touch plate and know that it's ready for use.


I can work on the delay factor later. For now here are the attempts I've made in the probe code to just get some sound:

If GetOemLed (825) <> 1 Then       'Forces you to make certain the TPGW is connected
   Code "(Touch Probe Ground Wire is not connected)"
   Beep
End If
------Only works on External Speakers - Need the PC's internal Speaker to work ----


If GetOemLed (825) <> 1 Then       'Forces you to make certain the TPGW is connected
   Code "(Touch Probe Ground Wire is not connected)"
   Beep (500, 1000)
End If
------Only works on External Speakers - Need the PC's internal Speaker to work ----



I turned on the "Allow Speak" function in General Configuration and tried this:

If GetOemLed (825) <> 1 Then       'Forces you to make certain the TPGW is connected
   Code "(Touch Probe Ground Wire is not connected)"
   Speak ("Connect the touch probe ground wire")
End If
------Doesn't work / Don't hear anything ----



I know that the code "If GetOemLed (825) <> 1 " is to look to see if the LED is not lit, and "<> 0" is to check and see if you're already grounded.  That's why I put this in front of the "If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 " portion of the code.


Any help would be appreciated and Merry Christmas to all,

Vogavt

18
General Mach Discussion / Z-axis started jerky movement, x&y okay
« on: June 22, 2009, 11:56:14 AM »
As stated the x and y are working fine, but the z-axis has strangely started moving with a jerky motion. Even more strange is sometimes is works smoothly and sometimes not. I can kill the power to the boards and sometimes it works fine after applying power and sometimes not. At other times I have to reboot to get it to work smoothly, and again sometimes that doesn't fix it either.

Reinstalled Mach3 to latest lockdown version (Mach3 R3.042.020). Didn't help.

I can hold down the key to move the z-axis and it will take off and run jerky and then take off and run smooth, then back to jerky.

Pulling my hair out.

Wondering if I have a board going bad?

Another piece of the puzzle is when the jerky movement occurs it's only moving exactly half the distance, i.e., tell it to move an inch and it moves half an inch.

I kept my xml file and restored it during the reinstall.

It's intermitent so it can't seem to track it down.

Any help would be apprecitated.

Thanks in advance,
Vogavt

19
General Mach Discussion / Alarm/buzzer when cutting is finished
« on: October 09, 2008, 12:41:42 PM »
How would one go about setting up a buzzer/alarm for letting the machinist know the job is complete?  I bought a 12v buzzer from Radio Shack and got to thinking about how to make it work then realized it would require some deeper thinking. I searched the forum, but didn't find what I was looking for.


Thoughts or ideas?

20
LazyCam (Beta) / Need help with entity - Weird problem
« on: August 21, 2008, 12:01:12 AM »
I have an engraving file that I want to be able to change how the order of entities is being cut. Not chain, but entities within the chain. For example, I have the letter "C".  I have a straight section between the curves at the top and bottom. What's happening is that LazyCam is selecting the straight entity first, then one of the curves, then the last curve. I would think I could change that order and make the it cut in one complete pass. As it is now, the bit has to raise up and move to the other entities afterward slowing production down.

Also when I select any single entity and see the arrow, I try to move the arrow around to either change the direction of cut. The annoying problem is that I can't seem to let go of the moving rapid line. Even the arrow disappears, but when I move the mouse, the rapids move around as well.  I've tried hitting the "Esc" button, etc. to no avail. I read somewhere that double-clicking the arrow's white/yellow center is supposed to allow you to change some properties. Sometimes it works and sometimes it resets the viewing window.

It's not related to any single file. It happens on all my files.

Any ideas?

Vogavt

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