Messages

201

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle Speed Issues W/ Mach3

« on: August 30, 2013, 07:26:03 AM »

Check to make sure the drive is setup properly for max spindle motor speed.

202

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn VFD Setup Help

« on: August 25, 2013, 04:21:56 PM »

One of the problems with VFD (AC variable frequency drive) is they run in volts/hertz mode, which means losing torque at low RPM due to reduced output voltage as the frequency drops to reduce motor rpm. More expensive VFD's use vector mode to prevent this problem. So as you are seeing... at low rpms can cause the motor to stall or have unstable speed. Much depends on the motor rated RPM. The option is using a gear reducer or pulley to keep the motor rpm in a higher range, go with a lower rpm motor or get a VFD that has vector mode capabilities.

203

General Mach Discussion / Re: got 75% through a project and then the router went haywire! I need help ASAP!

« on: August 19, 2013, 03:57:39 PM »

I was having the same problem except on the X axis.... Traced the problem to a broken solder conection on the "B-" output pin in the D- connector plug cable for the Gecko 540. It would intermittently lose contact. The motor would act like it was being driven in fwd and rev at the same time. I bought a set of Soigeneris connectors with the built in adj resistor and it has been ok ever since.

204

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ramping up or down on Spindle Speed (not delay)

« on: August 14, 2013, 07:27:35 AM »

The VFD spindle drive has ramp rate accel and deaccel parameters. Most drives are factory default to 5 seconds ramp rate. Sounds like your setting is zero.  Try setting the accel ramp rate to 10 seconds, or any setting to your liking. 

205

General Mach Discussion / Re: "Soft warning on X max Dia Mode" on Mach3 Turn

« on: August 12, 2013, 01:54:56 PM »

I have the same problem every so often on soft warning. I found that if you click "Rewind" then "Regenerate" fixes the problem. The "Continue" creep seems to be an issue with the software. It usually happens after pressing stop and start command. There are a few posts on this problem.

206

Newfangled Mill Wizard / Re: Tool Path Still Not Displaying

« on: July 24, 2013, 05:38:11 PM »

This has been a problem from the start with other users as well. I suggest you review your forum. Newfangled Solution is selling a defective product... very simple. It should be pulled from sales and the tool selection menu fixed or deleted and offered a refund to those who want it. It's clear Newfangled Solution is ripping off consumers.

207

Newfangled Mill Wizard / Tool Path Still Not Displaying

« on: July 21, 2013, 08:18:39 PM »

Have the latest rev 1.0.6 and still having problems of the tooling path not displaying if any changes are made to the tool selection menu. Example: If the tool rpm is is changed to any number other than the default value the display will not generate a tool path. Just displays a small dot in the middle of the screen.

Actually changing ANY tool menu items... feed rate, rpm, plunge or selecting a different tool from the drop down menu will cause the no display problem. As long as you don't monkey with the default tool menu items the program works. This is the same problem rev 1.0.3 had....  so its still broken.

Seeing the Rev 1.0.6 is STILL DEFECTIVE:

1) Newfangled Solutions should remove the tool selection menu and just have manual input for RPM, Feed and Plunge.

Or A better option...

2) Don't purchase it until Newfangled Solutions can figure it out.

208

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle load feedback to mach3

« on: July 19, 2013, 02:16:42 PM »

I'm a drives field service engineer and work on VFD's up to 5000 hp. AC drives today including cheap Chinese knock off use IGBT's in the power output sections. Clamp on amp meters on the motor t-leads will not give accurate readings. Drives setup in V/Hz mode as are most low cost drive used in CNC application (not vector mode) will output without a motor connected... motor impedance (xd') has very little effect on drive filtering. I could debate drive theroy with you but I think it would be beyond most of the forum readers. I've had a number of customers state their clamp on amp meters don't agree with the drive digital display...

209

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle load feedback to mach3

« on: July 19, 2013, 12:56:12 PM »

Putting a voltmeter on the VFD will tell you nothing of value.  You need to be looking at current, which means putting an ammeter *in series* with one phase of the motor.  The Tormach load meter is nothing but an analog ammeter.  An analog ammeter contains a shunt, which is a very small, precisely known resistance.  When current passes through it, it creates a small voltage drop (typically 50mV at maximum allowed current), and the meter itself is a very sensitive voltmeter, connected across the shunt, that reads full-scale with 50mV across it.  Look at digikey, mouser, and other electroincs supply houses, and find one with a suitable full-scale reading.  But, a good analog ammeter will not be cheap.  However, a digital meter, in this application, would be completely useless.

Putting a amp meter in series, or using a clamp on type with a VFD 3 phase output to the motor is useless. The VFD voltage is not a true sine wave and the frequency varies the motor speed. This will cause the amp meter to read incorrectly. All amp digital displays on VFD's are a calculated value corrected to 60 or 50Hz. The only way is use the 0-10V analog output or modbus. 

210

General Mach Discussion / Re: The discouraging state of DIY CNC

« on: June 26, 2013, 10:42:04 PM »

It amazes me the number of cnc products sold on Ebay and other outlets that are basically garbage. People are selling "cnc systems" that consist of Chinese $29 4 axis controllers, $25 power supplies, $50 ball screws, $19 motors along with bogus Mach 3 software. The DIY person looking for a Walmart deal then cries on this forum looking for help because the supplier didn't send documentation, the controller won't work, no support phone number in China, the Mach 3 is a demo version with no license and the supplier disappeared with the money. The only thing in the "Best Shape" as BR549 puts it is the people selling the crap.