Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / G-code error

« on: December 14, 2013, 08:31:30 AM »

Hello All

First thank you for your help....Every time i have a question you answer it and i am up and running.

So now i am scratching my head.

I am running my CNC Router with Artcam Express and Mach 3. They work well together.
The other day i was running a g-code for the first time it was going really good, and all of a sudden it starts cutting too deep. It was like the "Z" lost track of its position. I hit the E-stop.
At this point i just flipped the board over,  reloaded the same g-code and it ran just fine. A perfect cut. Can you explain this?

Thanks in advance

John

2

General Mach Discussion / post-processer

« on: October 25, 2013, 02:07:15 PM »

Hello All,
I am just finishing building my CNC router. I am using Mach3 to drive the router and Artcam Express to design the models.
I am confused on which post-processes I am to use with Mach3. First, i am using the inch measurement not MM.
 So my choices are:
1. Mach3gb-Arcs(inch)(*.TAP)
2. Mach3gb-Arcs(inch)ATC(*.TAP)
3. Mach3gb-RotaryX2Aaxis(inch)(*.TAP)
4. Mach3gb-Rotaryy2Aaxis(inch)(*.TAP)
or the generic:
5. G-code(inch)(*.TAP)

The ones with "Rotary" in it just dont work at all. The ones with "Arcs" in them put large circles on the edge of my project and make the router try to go off of the table. The generic one seems to work but its confused about the position of the Z home. In Mach 3 they suggest to home Z to the top and make it -0.000. So, as it travels down it is reading in the negative numbers.

Thanks in advance for your help

john

3

General Mach Discussion / Homming issue

« on: August 15, 2013, 07:38:52 AM »

Hello All,
I am having a homing issue and looking for a little advice. I am using Mach3 to run my homemade CNC router. This machine has four motors, one for X one for Z and two for the Y direction...Y and A. I have slaved the A motor with the Y and it works just fine while running BUT when i home the Y,  that is the only motor that homes, A does not move and as you may see it causes my machine to become out of square.

any help would be appreciated

thank you
john

4

General Mach Discussion / recomended software

« on: August 15, 2013, 07:17:31 AM »

Hello All,
I have almost completed my home made CNC router, X-1270mm, Y-609mm, Z-152mm, and i am at the point where i need to purchase the software needed to run the machine. My problem is i do not want to over purchase, as i am trying to keep the over-all price to a minimum. I intend to use the machine to make address plaques and 3-d engravings of dogs etc. I may be wrong about what is actually needed to do these things. I have already downloaded the unlicensed version of Mach3 and it runs my machine just fine so i want to stay with it. Question is will i need a CAD program? Is there a package bundle of Mach 3 that i can purchase that will do just what. So, i know i need the Mach3 Software, Do i need:
1. Vectric Cut 3D
2. Vectric  PhotoVCarve
3.  VCarve Pro
Any help will be so appreciated

Thanks, John

5

General Mach Discussion / spindle relay

« on: January 24, 2013, 09:26:48 AM »

Hello All,
 I am having trouble setting up my spindle relay. A simple on/off relay using Mach3 to control. My configuration is set up as:
Relay control: box unchecked
M3: Output 1
M4: Output 1

Output signals
Output 1: Enabled
Port: 1
Pin: 1

Relay,(Solid State SSRT-240D25) connected to pin 1 and ground, on the C10- parallel port interface card.
The only way to turn on the relay is to turn on is to switch to Active Low under Output signals tab but then never turns back off, unless i switch it to be Active hi..then it never comes on..

Note: the output light and the dwell light come on and act normally as if everything is normal.. but my relay never switches..
Looking for some help.
Thanks in advance