Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can Mach3 run 2 machines at once?

« on: August 21, 2014, 11:12:23 AM »

And also 2 licenses?

2

General Mach Discussion / Can Mach3 run 2 machines at once?

« on: August 21, 2014, 11:04:26 AM »

Hi all,

I have 2 cnc machines connected to Mach3 via an ethernet smoothstepper.  I have both machines running great individually, but was wondering if there's some way I can run them both at the same time.  When I try to open a second instance of Mach, it doesn't open, and I'm left with one open instance.

If I do need to buy a second computer to run the other machine, do I also need another Mach license?

tx,

dh

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: G21 problem

« on: January 15, 2014, 01:00:08 PM »

lol - exactly.  With "mm" selected as native units, Divided the steps by 25.4.....

Sorry for the brain fart!

thanks!

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: G21 problem

« on: January 15, 2014, 12:33:09 PM »

Hi Ger21

I just cloned an xml, changed the native units from inch to mm, and the DRO didn't change.
So just to be sure, I went to the MDI and entered g21.  Nothing changes
I move the z axis 1.00 unit, and it moves 1.00"
Enter g20 in the MDI and the DRO changes numbers.
Now if I want to move 1.00" the DRO reads .0394

So, it's like g21 and g20 are reversed... (?)

I've tried with "Lock DRO to setup units" ticked and without.  

I have a load of in/outs, macros, Ethernet SmoothStepper, etc. that make the thought of a fully-virgin setup really unappealing.  Is there any way to work through this one issue?

TIA

5

General Mach Discussion / G21 problem

« on: January 14, 2014, 06:22:32 PM »

Hi all,

I've somehow gotten my units all mangled and now Mach3 seems to ignore g21 commands...

I am trying to setup a new xml for a 3d printhead I just built.  My workflow goes Rhino (mm) to Slic3r (mm) into Mach3 (inches).  In the past, I have just included g21 in the code and all worked fine.  But after fiddling with the motor tuning (for the sake of the print head), now when I inter G21 in the MDI, the feedrate is adjusted (x25.4) but the DRO does not, and so the machine tries to make a huge part.

Can someone set me straight? 

Thanks!!!!!

dh

6

General Mach Discussion / Tool Change won't apply

« on: May 18, 2013, 09:17:26 AM »

Hi all,

I'm sure this is covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it...

I have an ATC, but sometimes I just want to manually release the old tool and insert the new tool by hand instead of running an actual tool change routine.  When I go to the MDI and input the new tool number (and press enter) it appears to know it has the new tool.  However, when I start running g-code it thinks it needs to do a tool change.  Example:

- Tool 1 is already loaded from previous g-code.
- Manually remove tool 1 and insert tool 2.
- in MDI, enter Tool Number: 2, press enter.
- Call up g-code, which has m6 t2 at the beginning.
- Machine jogs to change position to park t1 and then pickup t2.

What am I missing?

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offsets being turned off

« on: May 01, 2013, 09:05:05 PM »

Hi Paul,

Yes, in fact.  I removed it and added a "G43 H__" after every M6 command (where H matches the preceding T__).  Does this look right to you?


m103 G01 G40.1 G17 G80 G50 G90 G64
G20
(EHT_0.33Flat)
M6 T2 G43 H2
M03 S6000
G01Z1.000
G00X2.184Y0.093
Z1.010
G01Z0.316F30
X2.243Y0.075Z0.256F35
X2.247Y0.073
X2.248Y0.070
X2.250Y0.057
X2.252Y0.027
X2.253Y-0.010
X2.251Y-0.053
X2.248Y-0.100

8

General Mach Discussion / Tool Offsets being turned off

« on: May 01, 2013, 06:46:24 PM »

Hi all,

I am trying to get my head wrapped around tool offsets (we just installed our first ATC). 

When I go to the Offsets screen and set the "Tool Offsets on/off" to "ON", I see the DRO display the correct Z value.  But when I start a toolpath, it goes back to the standard fixture coordinates.  I have added a Tool_Length_Offsets = YES line in my post processor, but no dice.

Any leads?

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: m5 kills all outputs

« on: April 30, 2013, 06:10:55 PM »

LOL - I put the rocker switch in 180 degrees, so "On" was <<OFF>>  sheesh......

Up & running.  Still have a weird fluctuation in the spindle speed/sound, though....

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: m5 kills all outputs

« on: April 30, 2013, 05:49:33 PM »

Ok, I've replaced the Sherline Speed Control Board, but I'm getting no motion.  I REALLY hope I haven't fried the VFD output on the g540.  I know it's opticoupled, so does that mean it's safe?

In Mach, when I start the spindle, the Dwell light flashes once, but then stops and the spindle RPM has no readout.  I don't think I've changed any settings re: ports/pins....

  ?