Messages

161

General Mach Discussion / Re: Calibration CONSTANTLY Changing

« on: September 29, 2017, 06:29:21 PM »

You don't say what the code looks like. I don't see how any calibration, tuning, or slippage problem could turn a 4" circle into a 2-1/2" one and it is still round. Look at the code to see what it is telling the CNC to do. I'm betting it is an issue in making the G-code from the dxf.

162

Share Your GCode / Re: NEED A LOGO CUTOUT AND ENGRAVING

« on: September 24, 2017, 11:34:46 AM »

Getting from a png file to g-code that cuts well involves a lot of work and compromises. You need to know about the machine, cutting tools available, scaling etc. You also need software to convert to Dxf or to trace the logo and then to clean it up. So you need to learn a lot more stuff before you can do this kind of work.

163

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Erratic Feedrate When Cutting Spline Lines

« on: September 24, 2017, 11:30:06 AM »

Your two code examples, the first the Cam program was able to generate lines and arcs so the motion is smooth. Then the spline curves could not be done using arcs so it made lots of tiny lines to approximate the curve and that motion is jerky as a result.

164

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Erratic Feedrate When Cutting Spline Lines

« on: September 23, 2017, 02:45:37 PM »

There are no splines in G- code so all moves get converted to arcs and short lines. So if you have exact stop programmed the machine will start and stop for every line segment making for rough motion.

165

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: cad/cam software that link with mach4 on USB to control

« on: September 20, 2017, 08:20:19 PM »

Try CamBam, forty sessions for free before you buy, $149 after. I have two copies, we use it with Mach 3 and a Servo 5000 both installed right on the machine.

166

General Mach Discussion / Re: Single Line Cut for Plates

« on: September 19, 2017, 04:44:42 PM »

If the font you are using is a standard Windows font it is an outline font and will get cut twice as you see. You need a single stroke font. You can find 10 of them for download on the CamBam website. You might give CamBam a try as it is quite nice too.

167

General Mach Discussion / Re: Interference with axis motors

« on: September 19, 2017, 04:41:43 PM »

I'd like to see pictures of the control box internals and the outside wiring. Interference comes up all the time on this forum as well as the 3D printing forums and when you see pictures it is an OMG! moment where you say "you actually thought that would work?".
I layout electrical panels and do panel wiring and I virtually never see interference problems because I am very careful about layout, wire routing, and shielding

168

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Quality Limit Switches for Fadal VMC ? What are you using ?

« on: September 16, 2017, 05:15:37 PM »

Your fadal previously homed using the index signal from axis encoders. You needed to park within half a screw revolution for that to work. Much more accurate than a limit switch I would think.

169

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Quality Limit Switches for Fadal VMC ? What are you using ?

« on: September 16, 2017, 12:59:30 PM »

The best repeatabilty for slow make slow break switches will be using a normally closed contact that you open for location indication. When a contact is landed its position is exactly known. Pushing it open can be extremely precise.

170

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Fadal VMC Retrofit,Mach4,dspmc,Tool Changer& Control Panel Buttons. Use PLC ?

« on: September 14, 2017, 07:41:43 AM »

I know your Fadal well, I ran a 4020 and 6030 for a year.  Manual tool changing on a 6030 sucks big time unless you are big enough and strong enough to hold a tool holder with both arms outstretched so you can reach the spindle and the button at the same time!

The BRX PLC will make getting the tool changer working very easy.  With a Click it will be a lot of compromises to get it working.  I do PLC programming for waste water plants and machinery.  I've used the Clicks on a couple of little jobs and regretted each time. The BRX is a DoMore PLC and the base units compete on price with the Click but are just so much easier to work with.  They are modular too like the Click, you can add on later very easily if you bought too small a unit.