Messages

181

General Mach Discussion / Re: Aspire software

« on: January 27, 2014, 08:02:28 PM »

Are you running the demo version? If so it doesn't allow creation of gcode. For that you have to buy the program. To load it into Mach 3 the .crv3d has to be converted to Gcode (.txt)

Aspire has a forum site you might want to check out.

182

General Mach Discussion / Re: Skip Code?

« on: January 15, 2014, 05:40:51 PM »

Programming in "brains" is really lack luster at best. It's an attempt to provide a PLC environment ladder logic solution on the cheap. Problem is it lacks the functions to provide safe programming. In my opinion it shouldn't be used as a PLC programming replacement.

183

General Mach Discussion / Re: Skip Code?

« on: January 14, 2014, 01:36:40 PM »

You would be better off using a PLC with digital IO and programming in ladder logic.

184

General Mach Discussion / Re: Any interest in a plugin to run a GS2/GS3 VFD (Automation Direct).

« on: January 03, 2014, 05:28:44 PM »

My high quality 2.2kw chinese drive had a mental breakdown. Started going in reverse then the display flashed error messages. So in the trash it went. Have a GS3 now and its light years ahead in quality. Interestingly, its larger than the chinese 2.2kw drive. I always suspected it wasn't a 2.2kw unit problem is there were no product ID label on it. Anyway... I would be interested in a plug in. 

185

General Mach Discussion / Re: Consistent stepper clunking. All axis' all the time

« on: December 28, 2013, 10:22:18 PM »

What mfg is the PC that is making the stepper clunking? Dell Optiplex series is rumored for having difficultly running Mach 3.

One thing I did see in the XML file is the watchdog timer is turned on and the look ahead is set for 20 lines. I set my look ahead to 400 lines and watchdog timer is off. I found out early on the watchdog would cause problems.

186

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor tuning - pulse setting relation to kernel speed

« on: December 28, 2013, 10:15:20 AM »

Gecko 540 and 210's should be set to active high and 3us or 4 us pulse width. So in Mach do not check the "active low" boxes for motor setup. I was running mine at 2us (Gecko recommended setting) and intermittently had missing step problems. It cleared up at 3us... 

187

General Mach Discussion / Re: Consistent stepper clunking. All axis' all the time

« on: December 28, 2013, 10:00:36 AM »

I have a Gecko 540. The clunk is normal when powering up the power supply. The motors are being locked into position. Unplugging the USB while the motors are spinning will cause the 540 to lose command signal inputs and do strange things. I highly advise NOT doing this. Download the Gecko 540B xml file from their site and install it. It will set Mach 3 for the gecko driver.

Post you XML setting file so I can check your settings. Sounds like your settings are messed up.

188

General Mach Discussion / Re: Installation Fails v3.043.066

« on: December 19, 2013, 07:08:06 PM »

.066 has bugs and problems and would stay away from it. Use a earlier versions and save yourself problems.

189

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 problem- losing position

« on: December 04, 2013, 05:52:46 PM »

Sounds like a RAM failure problem. Try Google  Dell Opitiplex memory dump error messages problem and see what shows up. 

190

General Mach Discussion / Re: Version .066 Arc Issue

« on: October 25, 2013, 08:40:10 PM »

I had the same problem with .066... went back to 0.062 and it works fine.