Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Finding Hole Co-ordinates - Is it a Macro I Need?

« on: February 09, 2013, 01:34:18 AM »

Found the thread:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,23103.0.html

Will have a go and see what happens.

12

General Mach Discussion / Finding Hole Co-ordinates - Is it a Macro I Need?

« on: February 08, 2013, 09:16:57 PM »

I have a model helicopter sideframe made out of 2mm carbon fibre sheet that I'd like to duplicate, at least in part, in epoxy fibreglass sheet with my router.  The sideframe has a goodly number of 3mm holes that need to be known with reasonable accuracy.

I have a USB camera mounted in the router spindle, and via the Mach3 video window, the 3mm hole centres are easy to see and it won't be too hard to accurately hover over the hole centre.

What I'd really like to do is just hit a key on my PC keyboard and have the X & Y co-ordinates logged to a file for later processing using MS Excel.  If my memory serves, I've seen a thread some time ago that included a macro that did this - but I can't find it now.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

13

General Mach Discussion / Commissioning Tests for CNC Router

« on: January 17, 2013, 09:53:12 PM »

It won't be long now and I'll be performing some test cuts on my router.

Just wondering if there are any recognised test shapes that people use to test accuracy of setup?

I was thinking about cutting some circular pieces out of a piece of PVC sheet.  When tool offests are changed about, one piece could be the plug and its quality of fit in the intended matching hole would give an idea of dimensional accuracy.

What have others here done?

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fluorescent Lights and Interference

« on: November 26, 2012, 04:16:41 PM »

BR,

From my controller, the supply to the steppers is floating.  And the steppers themselves are not grounded internally.

So what do you think is my assumption and why do you think it is wrong?

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fluorescent Lights and Interference

« on: November 26, 2012, 08:04:08 AM »

BR,

Thanks for the detailed reply.  It is appreciated and I'd meant to respond before now.

I have arranged to borrow a power outlet tester, so in the very near future I will be able to verify my 240V 50Hz supply is good.

No doubt I have lots to learn about grounding, and as you have suggested I have started again.

You say I must have crossed "the DC common and grnds somewhere" since I can measure voltages between stepper bodies and supply ground.  But I expect you will always be able to measure a small parasitic DC voltage between stepper body and ground when the motors are energised and not grounded.  When energised, steppers are always drawing current so in the presence of permanent magnets a voltage will be produced.

I am going to ground mys stepper motors and also isolate them from the machine (aluminium extrusion) body.

My controller is designed and made in Australia.  It was a deliberate purchase to support a local business.  God knows we don't make much in our country any more - only dig holes in the dirt.  The IC3A controller is plug and play for many, many customers.  But obviously my use is one of a kind.  The provider has been very ill, and helpful to a limited extent, between hospital stays.

I will introduce components one at a time until a problem presents - thanks for the tip.  

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fluorescent Lights and Interference

« on: November 22, 2012, 04:30:50 PM »

BR549,

If you can see any flaws in my wiring then please let me know.  Any constructive comments would be greatfully appreciated.

Just telling me that I have "serious grounding issues" is like throwing a rock on the chook house roof.

17

General Mach Discussion / Fluorescent Lights and Interference

« on: November 22, 2012, 06:32:35 AM »

Just wondering if fluorescent lights could cause interference with limit switches and home switches.

Earlier tonight I was trying to solve some odd behaviour with the Z axis home switch (photo interrupter type) on my router.  The slit in the switch faces up so one possibility was the collector was seeing the light from the flouro, either directly or reflected off the blanking blade.  To test the theory I turned the lights off    To my surprise the home switch behaved itself.  When I turned the lights back on, my stepper motors seem to re-energise - they certainly rattle with the flouro as it blinks on.

My router is in a small garden shed.  The headroom is so low the double flouro battens are just above head height.  Realistically, I couldn't get then closer to the router if I tried.

Anyone got an opinion?

A new shed is on the cards when funds allow.  LED lighting?

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis Home Switch - Odd Behaviour

« on: November 22, 2012, 06:20:31 AM »

Well.......I seem to have solved the problem.  Painting the blanking plate might have helped to a large degree.  But the problem was still there to a small degree.  The orientation of the switch sees the opening facing straight up toward my double batten fluorescent light.  I think the fluoro might have been triggering the collector.

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z Axis Home Switch - Odd Behaviour

« on: November 21, 2012, 01:49:37 AM »

Thanks for the reply, but I should have mentioned the home switches are photo interrupters i.e. non-contacting.

If I get all my domestic chores out the way early tonight, I might sneek out to the man cave to do some more investigation.

That's actually my cat wearing the lime peel helmet.  Every time something goes wrong with my router, I look to kick something.  That cat sure got smart quickly  

20

General Mach Discussion / Z Axis Home Switch - Odd Behaviour

« on: November 20, 2012, 10:13:27 PM »

My Z axis home switch is now performing rather oddly     Grrrrrr.

When I "Ref All" the Z carriage retreats to the Home Switch and is recognised by Mach3 but it doesn't back off the switch position i.e. the yellow Motor 3 home LED remains lit on the Diagnostics tab.  The Y and Z axes sequence as expected and each of these back of their switch positions i.e. in turn the yellow LEDs light up then go out.

Why doesn't my Z axis back off?

Absolutley no changes made to the router. 

Ay suggestions appreciated.