Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / 4th axis problems

« on: April 25, 2010, 02:23:47 PM »

Hi all, recently received Zylotex 4th axis 269 in/oz stepper for my Taig minimill. Plugged it in the drive, configured Mach3 accordingly, motor energizes, DRO updates correctly, but motor will not rotate. Operates fine in X,Y,Z ports, but not in A axis port. Any ideas where I go from here? I've tried everything I can think of to no avail. Even tried it using old Mach2 but no joy. Thanks.

2

General Mach Discussion / Program locking up before finishing.

« on: April 12, 2010, 10:07:04 AM »

Good morning all. Have a problem that someone may be able to solve. I'm running a very long rastering program with a Taig mill and Mach3. My computer is connected to Comcast High Speed Internet. When running the Mach3 program on the mill all other programs are closed. Only Mach3 is running. After about an hour or so, X-axis stops as though it ran out of travel. I have to restart the program near where it stopped using "run from here" feature. All runs well again. Question is, should I unplug internet cable when running Mach3? I'm wondering if McAfee (my security suite) is interfering or should I look elsewhere? I have another processor I plan to dedicate to Mach3 exclusively, but as yet haven't hooked it up yet. Any thoughts? Thank you very much.

3

General Mach Discussion / Fanuc Macro B & C and Vb script

« on: March 14, 2010, 03:30:47 PM »

Hi all, I would like to learn Vb script for writing Mach macros. Problem is that it is confusing. I have a very extensive background in Fanuc Macro B & C programing. Is there a reference chart or manual so I could cross reference the two languages or could or would any one of you familiar with both languages be willing to write a program in both languages and explain step by step each command and how they correlate to each other? The programs I have written in Macro C were Modified sine and Modified trapezoid cam path development programs, other more simple cam path geometries, a tool change program that would choose speed and feed values based on cutter type and size, thread milling, many programs for 4th axis, and numerous others. All the information I've been able to gather for Vb script is so generic that I can't reference to anything that makes sense. I'm most interested in accessing and using variables, do-end loops, and trig formulas to determine and/or replace coordinate values. Please help if you can. Thank you.

4

General Mach Discussion / ArtCAMPro and Mach3

« on: February 02, 2010, 09:24:30 AM »

Hi all,
     I have a question concerning ArtCAMPro and Mach3. Yesterday, I downloaded a machining program developed in ArtCAM to Mach3. Normally I would close ArtCAM, but this time it slipped my mind, just minimized the screen and went right to Mach3. In setting up my cnc mill, the Z axis went nuts, bouncing, screeching, and finally just took off completely ignoring the hotkeys. I won't do that again, but can anybody explain why ArtCAM and Mach don't seem to be able to run at the same time? Scared the daylights out of me. Thanks.

George