Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need help. Motors dont work properly.

« on: October 27, 2015, 09:03:11 PM »

Don't use V0.066 it has known problems and read someplace (can't recall)... V0.066 turn is loaded with bugs. Version 0.062 is the last stable version.

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: DRO vs GCode on Z with Mach 3.46.066 and ESS_v10r2d1d

« on: October 22, 2015, 05:37:34 PM »

I would be interested in seeing your backlash numbers.

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: DRO vs GCode on Z with Mach 3.46.066 and ESS_v10r2d1d

« on: October 21, 2015, 06:26:43 PM »

If backlash is not setup properly in Mach 3 it can cause strange actions. I played around with it to see how it reacts and ended up with more questions than answers. I'm not even sure backlash is working properly in Mach 3. It's always better to fix mechanical problems rather than doing it in software.   

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: DRO vs GCode on Z with Mach 3.46.066 and ESS_v10r2d1d

« on: October 20, 2015, 11:18:27 PM »

Don't use mach V.066 it has known issues. I was running it for awhile with a ESS and would get intermittent Z axis problems... mostly after I would do a tool auto zeroing with a touch plate. It would try to drive the cutter into the work. Dropped back to V.062 and haven't had the Z axis issues again. V.066 should be removed.

I wouldn't be in any rush to Mach 4... it has it's own set of problems and far from a finished product with no light at the end of the tunnel.  

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 crashes

« on: September 30, 2015, 12:41:43 PM »

I'm not sure who is doing the marketing plan at ArtSoft or if they even have one. Mach 4 is far from a usable consumer product as it stands right now. ArtSoft releases a half developed Mach 4 and expects the consumer to pay $200 for the privilege of debugging it and hours of frustration trying to get it to run. From what I can see CV functions aren't working yet? I'm all for a better Mach 3 but ArtSoft needs to rethink how they do business. Companies like UCCNC have software that is light years ahead of Mach 4 especially for CV control. Problem is plug-in support is very limited and you are tied to UCCNC's USB controller. 

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Stepper driver and Mach3 Question

« on: September 29, 2015, 09:07:39 PM »

Probably everything. DOS hasn't been used since the 80's back in the day of the 8088 processor. Good luck trying to get it to run or better yet... why waste your time?

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 crashes

« on: September 29, 2015, 09:02:01 PM »

ArtSoft no longer supports Mach 3 and has their hands full trying to get Mach 4 to work which doesn't look promising. Good luck trying to get a response for a Mach 3 error code.

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: whats with the mini vfd's currently for sale?

« on: September 22, 2015, 07:46:43 PM »

The drive is rated at 100% load. The chances of using 100% of 0.75kw or 1 hp is pretty slim unless you are using a large tool and taking deep cuts with a high feed rate. Its a cheap Chinese knock off VFD which are well know for low quality so the life expectancy is questionable. They don't meet UL or CE product safety standards. Most Chinese VFD's I've seen don't even have a model spec ID sticker attached so no telling what the actual HP or KW rating is. Good luck returning a failed drive to China under the claimed 2 year warranty or getting service or startup help.

All of us have been bitten by the lure of cheap Chinese parts and found out very quickly you get what you pay for. 

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: Safe Z code in aspire ,mach3 or me

« on: September 09, 2015, 09:00:51 PM »

I'm still confused because you are intermixing Aspire and Cambam. The txt file you posted is Aspire and looks ok. As a matter of fact... I loaded it on my machine without problems.

I use Aspire exclusively, Mach 3 v0.62, screenset 2010 with a Gecko G540, ESS all on a old Dell 6400 running xp pro and never had any problems. I will say the generic G540 XML from Gecko's website needs to be modified for each specific machine setup. Especially the step direction and limit switch active state.  

Sounds like your XML setup is corrupt or just plain wrong.

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: Safe Z code in aspire ,mach3 or me

« on: September 09, 2015, 10:59:37 AM »

I'm a little confused with the exact problem. You are talking about a couple of different problems and software. Is this a Aspire or Cambam problem? Then saying that you are selecting Mach3.arc, inch and doing a tool change?

The txt file lists tool #4 & #16. For more than one tool in an Aspire file you must select Mach3.ATC,inch. Aspire won't let you select Mach3.arc,inch to output a gcode file if there are two different tool numbers. 

Sounds like the second tool is not being zeroed correctly to the fixed zero reference.