Topics

1

Mach3 under Vista / I am switching my Mach3 computer to a Vista machine

« on: May 02, 2010, 03:02:26 PM »

Hi,
I added a 3rd party parallel port.  It seemed to install correctly.   I installed Mach3, with the printer port and all seems well.   I ran the Vista Memory Override software in admin mode, all seemed well, except.   It didn't tell me to reboot, although I did anyway.    I ran the driver test program, and it said I had an excellent pulse rate.   

All seems correct, except the steppers won't move, won't budge.   Nothing.   

Now, I'm doubting whether the parallel port is working.   Is there a Mach3 program that tests the parallel port?   

Any advise will be appreciated. 
Thanks,
Dave

2

General Mach Discussion / I'm buying a laptop. I'm concerned about the lack of printer ports

« on: February 04, 2010, 08:54:57 PM »

Recently, work has away from home, and I'm missing my CNC machine.   So I've decided to buy a laptop. I'm going to load Vectrics and Mach3 on it so I can make some models in the evenings, while in the hotel.   I went to Best Buy at lunch and evaluated a ASUS Intel 2 SOLO SU7300 for $699.00. It has an NVIDIA Graphic Driver. which should help when modeling Aspire solid models. 4Gigs of ram, 500 Gigs of HD. And and and it has an 8 hour battery life. That last part sounds unbelievable.

I thought you guys would be interested and make comments.   I'm concerned about the Mach3 and lack of printer port on laptops. But friend, in another forum says he's using the Smooth Stepper and it worked fine for him.   I'd be interested in your comments, or a link to other threads.  I'm guess this subject has been rehashed many times.  
Thanks for reading,
Dave

3

General Mach Discussion / Power outage and configuration save problems

« on: August 07, 2008, 03:18:48 PM »

I'm a user that leaves the CPU of my Mach3 computer running overnight.  Until last night when I had a power outage or some other reason to reboot.   The computer restarted and Mach3 runs fine, however the machine's configuration didn't save. 

The part that didn't save is Config>Motor Tuning>Steps per unit. 

When I jogged my machine, I noticed the DRO moving at only half the distance.   Which is a problem I had way back when I changed the micro stepping on the driver board.   That was about a month ago.   I changed the hardware drives to microstep, which means I had to change the Mach3 "steps per Inch" setting. 

I can fix the steps problem, but How do a get Mach3 to remember my configuration?    I don't have Mach3 available on this computer, but from memory, I'm sure I saved using the Configuration>Save function.   

Is there something else I must do?   

The other item that didn't save was the Button Editor.  I changed some custom code but that code didn't save either.   

Any help will be appreciated.   
Dave

4

General Mach Discussion / Forum Subscriptions

« on: January 08, 2008, 05:53:57 PM »

I'm looking for a Forum link that will show me all my subscriptions.   I'd like to see all the threads that I've marked as "notify".    In the CNCzone.com, the link is called "User CP"   Or a button that will show me all the threads I've posted to. 

Am I just not seeing it? 
Thanks,
Dave Cousins

5

General Mach Discussion / Constant Velocity question

« on: January 01, 2008, 09:44:15 AM »

I'm looking for the philosophical description of what Constant Velocity setting does for your cutting? 

Or better yet a practical description would be great too.

Does CV "off" interfere with the accelerations in Motor tuning?

Does CV "on" induce errors in accuracy?   

thanks in advance
Dave

6

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Just purchased a laser line pointer

« on: November 27, 2007, 09:32:49 PM »

I got it from ebay and it looked small and compact.   Other folks on a laser scanner forum recommended this product. 
http://www.david-laserscanner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130
I'm looking forward to doing some scanning.   I do have a laser level, but its just to big and the line width seems to wide for accuracy. 
Dave

---------------------------------
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7

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Driver Installation question

« on: November 14, 2007, 02:46:55 PM »

I have a How-To questions about the driver located in this thread.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4827.msg33471.html#msg33471

Can you provide a thumbnail of directions about how to install that driver? 

Copy it into the Mach3 folder I presume.   Which subfolder.  It's been a while since in installed any Mach3 drivers. 
Thanks in advance.
Dave 

8

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / It's been a long time since anybody posted a show-n-tell

« on: November 13, 2007, 04:46:34 PM »

I just picked up the 3Dcuts software from Vectric.   So I had to try out a little model of an airplane I'm thinking of cutting.  This one is just 6 inches in Wingspan and cut from plastic.  A test piece to learn the software and process.   

I'm a DIY'r and while waiting for the little ball end bits to arrive, I cut this baby wing with a .062 mill.   

9

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 is awesome

« on: October 26, 2007, 10:12:08 AM »

Art
I don't say much on this forum, but I sure do use Mach3.   So I thought I'd stop by and tell you guys.  Great product!!!   I really do like the simplicity of the software.  Right out of the box it worked for me.  Yet the software can do so much more.   I've been using it now for about 6 months and it's rock solid. 

Keep up the good work,
Dave

10

General Mach Discussion / Visual Basic Program question

« on: October 20, 2007, 08:49:12 PM »

I'm a VB programmer want'a be.   Is it possible to write a VB program in Mach3 which asks for a cut file, then asks for an array size and distance.   Then Mach3 will proceed to cut the file in the multiple array.   I'd love to see that program if it's out there.   I'm pretty sure its a simple program.  I just need a little push, a start down the right track. 

After the file is cut, I'd like to be able to return to the original origin so I can change tools and run another file. 

Can anybody help me?  Does anyone have such a program that they want to share with me? 
Thanks,
Dave