Messages

3091

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reboot whenever I open Mach3????

« on: February 10, 2019, 01:36:16 AM »

hi,
have you read and applied the patch:

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=38269.0

Craig

3092

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Windows 10 Pro 64bit -- Help Please

« on: February 09, 2019, 11:25:57 PM »

Hi,

If I get one of those motion controllers do I still need the BOB?

Yes, depending on the model of controller you get. The Ethernet SmoothStepper (Warp9) and the UC300 (CNCDrive)
both require a BoB. The Hicon (Vital Systems) does not.

I've never used UCCNC but understand it works well. Mcah3 is still popular but it is no longer being developed. Mach4
is the current and developing product, I use it and believe its light years ahead of Mach3. I don't have any hard evidence
but believe Mach4 is more flexible (better?) than UCCNC.

Craig

3093

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Windows 10 Pro 64bit -- Help Please

« on: February 09, 2019, 10:36:09 PM »

Hi,

Thank you for the reply. Would the arduino Mega 2560 work?

Not with Mach3 (or Mach4). Mach requires a Windows operating system to run.

With Windows7 or Windows XP 32 bit you can use a parallel port. It would require a parallel port breakout board (BoB)
like the one you pictured. Machs parallel port has some limitations and quirks but it works pretty well and is free.

Windows8, Windows10 or any 64 bit OS will require an external motion controller, connected to the PC with a USB or
Ethernet connection, Ethernet preferred.

There are some cheap USB and Ethernet connected motion controllers from Chinese manufacturers but they are rubbish
and China might as well be another planet if you want to get help.

Take a look at:
https://warp9td.com/
https://www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57cnc/
https://www.cncdrive.com/
http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/index.php

Craig

3094

General Mach Discussion / Re: Win7 Parallel Port

« on: February 09, 2019, 10:10:34 PM »

Hi,
its been a long time since I used a parallel port....I have given my PCI card away.

PMDX stock one that works:

https://www.pmdx.com/1PARPCI

Craig

3095

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Set tool height when using Z axis tool height gage block

« on: February 09, 2019, 03:30:22 PM »

Hi,
this is the action script for the Set Tool Button on the Offsets page:

Code: [Select]

--Set Tool button

local inst = mc.mcGetInstance()  
local GageBlock = scr.GetProperty("droGageBlockT", "Value")
local CurTool = mc.mcToolGetCurrent(inst) --Current Tool Num
local OffsetState = mc.mcCntlGetPoundVar(inst, 4008) --Current Height Offset State
mc.mcCntlGcodeExecuteWait(inst, "G49")
GageBlock = tonumber(GageBlock)
local ZPos = mc.mcAxisGetPos(inst, mc.Z_AXIS)
local OffsetVal = ZPos - GageBlock
mc.mcToolSetData(inst, mc.MTOOL_MILL_HEIGHT, CurTool, OffsetVal)
mc.mcCntlSetLastError(inst, string.format("Tool %.0f Height Offset Set: %.4f", CurTool, OffsetVal))
if (OffsetState ~= 49) then
    mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, string.format("G%.1f", OffsetState))
end

Craig

3096

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Demo Scale issues

« on: February 08, 2019, 11:40:39 PM »

Hi,
by the way Mach3 Demo Lathe will only run 50 lines of Gcode. If you want to run bigger files then get a licence.

Mach4 Demo will run an unlimited number of lines but only six minutes before you have to restart.

Craig

3097

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 Demo Scale issues

« on: February 08, 2019, 11:37:56 PM »

Hi,
do yourself a favour and turn OFF ALL Scaling. Now you have changed your 'steps per unit' values you will have
to set those perfectly accurately otherwise you will never cut any parts to the right size.

MDI a G50. Now all scaling is off.

Zero the X axis with <zero X>
MDI G0 X1     should cause the x axis to move (at max traverse speed) 1 inch (I assume you are in inch units?).
If it does not move exactly 1 inch then change the X axis 'steps per unit' until it does. You need to measure this accurately
and keep at it until a G0 X1 causes EXACTLY 1 inch of movement. Thereafter LEAVE THE STEPS PER VALUE ALONE, it will
stay as is for the life of the machine.

Now do the same thing with the Z axis.

If you wish to machine a part of different dimensions that's what Fusion 360 is all about. Don't try to cheat with G51 scale
commands, it will screw up every time.

Craig

3098

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Setting up Spindle/VFD control Issues

« on: February 08, 2019, 10:17:44 PM »

Hi,
no, everything will be fine.

Often component values are broken into standard steps. In the case of E12 it means '12 values per decade', the E signals
exponential increments. 

Thus E12 resistors are in values:
1       eg 1k        10k      100k     1M
1.2         1k2      12k      120k
1.5         1k5      15k
1.8         1k8
2.2
2.7
3.3
3.9
4.7
5.6
6.8
8.2
9.1

So you can routinely buy 4.7kOhm resistors but not 5kOhm. There are other 'series' like E24 and E96 but E12 is the
common one.

Craig

3099

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Setting up Spindle/VFD control Issues

« on: February 08, 2019, 09:25:33 PM »

Hi,
yes we do but 10V is not an E12 value.

Craig

3100

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Setting up Spindle/VFD control Issues

« on: February 08, 2019, 09:12:20 PM »

Hi,

Would the 10v Zener be better?

Yes, I don't ever recall seeing a 10V zener.

Craig