Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: what parallel board works with win 7

« on: January 26, 2014, 12:00:07 PM »

Hi John, That's what I'm running also, and I haven't had any problems until I tried to split out some of the signals.  Now my Gecko goes spastic sometimes.  I was just trying to eliminate some electronics in the line.  I am so close with this, I can taste it... well smell it anyway

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General Mach Discussion / Re: what parallel board works with win 7

« on: January 25, 2014, 08:04:34 PM »

And a good controller would be...

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General Mach Discussion / what parallel board works with win 7

« on: January 25, 2014, 05:48:09 PM »

Anybody have a card working with Windows 7?  I know if you don't have the right card, you can't do the proper functions on it to have Mach 3 work.

Jay

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Focusing an IR laser diode

« on: December 13, 2013, 10:50:33 AM »

Tweakie, I finally got the IR laser to focus.  The reason I couldn't focus it before was I was too close to the object to be engraved.  It turns out that the lens has an unbelievable long focal length.  While I was thinking it was 2 to 4 inches, it turns out that 20 inches would have been a lot closer.  So I have had to mount the laser well above the router table.  Sheesh, who'd a thunk?

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Zero gravity Z

« on: December 10, 2013, 12:43:19 PM »

I've got a gantry system and no matter how hard I press down on the Z (spindle) I can't get it to move, with or without power.  Your Z motor must really be loose. It does seem to be a good solution though.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Focusing an IR laser diode

« on: December 10, 2013, 12:39:17 PM »

oh well, back to using my 1.5W 450nm Blue diode module.  Actually, it does surprisingly well.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Focusing an IR laser diode

« on: December 08, 2013, 05:04:38 PM »

I already tried that and got nothing.  No burning, nothing.  I think the unit may be defective.  When I removed the lens, I could see the diode was off center, almost against the edge of the housing.  I believe that is why I can't focus it properly.

18

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Focusing an IR laser diode

« on: December 05, 2013, 04:29:06 PM »

I have a 4W IR laser diode and driver.  It has a big focus ring on the front that moves the lens up and down (or in and out).  It seems that at whatever position I put it, and whatever distance from my target, it's just a fairly large dot, not a pin hole like I'd expect.  My observations are via a wireless camera and I am viewing it on my PC.  It will melt black plastic, but again, not in a small dot like I expected. Any ideas on how to focus this thing.  Oh, you can see the laser module I purchased here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Focusable-4W-808nm-810nm-Infrared-IR-Laser-Diode-Module-5V-Power-Supply-TTL-/120921387123?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2779f073

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling 4W IR TTL laser

« on: November 21, 2013, 01:23:12 PM »

Those are perfect, and they are on order.  Should have them by next Tuesday.  Thanks again. 

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Controlling 4W IR TTL laser

« on: November 21, 2013, 10:19:50 AM »

Thanks for the info.  That is kind of what I figured.  The problem is, the G540 doesn't have the direction pin readily available.  I'd have to tap off of the pin in the UC100, before it goes into the G540.  Suppose it's worth a try though.