Messages

7131

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 17, 2017, 04:47:05 PM »

Hi,
don't go changing OS, I don't think that's the problem.

I need screenshots of your ports and pins pages, at the least motors,inputs and outputs tabs. Screenshot of general config page
would help.
Need a copy of the manual for your BOB and/or drivers.

Craig

7132

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 17, 2017, 12:46:09 AM »

Hi,
firstly I'm not sure about the assertion that the voltages are correct. To drive a stepper in one direction the step pin be logic
low, for most BOBs that means 1v or less. To drive in the other direction requires a logic high, in your case 3V or so.
If your BOB is expecting 5V inputs then 3V may be insufficient to signal the intention to drive in that direction. This fits with
what you've described. Whether that is the case or not is impossible to determine unless you post some information.

Take some screen shots or at least write what settings you have applied and post those. I don't have ESP, unless you give me
some information to work with....

Craig

7133

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 13, 2017, 12:38:11 AM »

Hi,
well your PC has 3.3V logic outputs, you will have to use a breakout board that can accommodate that.

Think we still need some details about the Driver Test, variation of 300 just doesn't sound right.
A screen shot or write it ALL down and post. If the driver test is not right then EVERYTHING you do subsequently is a waste of time.

Craig

7134

General Mach Discussion / Re: Run from here

« on: February 12, 2017, 04:33:30 AM »

Hi william55,
RFH is not that big a mystery. This is from the manual:

6.2.7.8 Run from here
Run from here performs a dummy run of the part program to establish what the modal state
(G20/G21, G90/G91 etc.) should be and then prompts for a move to put the controlled point
in the correct position to for the start of the line in Line Number. You should not attempt to
Run from here in the middle of a subroutine.
6.2.7.9 Set next line
Like Run from here but without the preparatory mode setting or move.

So when you hit RFH the machine does a dummy run to that point, is doesn't move or anything, just make believe so it knows what
state the machine is supposed to be in when it restarts. It should only take a few seconds for it to flash thru your code to the restart point.
It then asks your to approve a 'preparatory move' from where the machine actually is now to where it needs to be to restart. This can be a bit
tricky because if the restart point is say 4,4,-0.05, ie at a cutting depth of 50 thou. If you approve this move from the machines actual location
say 2,2,1 then it will drive in co-ordinated fashion to 4,4,-0.05 and gouge your workpiece to get to the required location. You may have to make
two moves, first X and Y above the work and then drive down to Z=-0.05. Experiment some, it will come clear and need not be such a mystery.

Craig

7135

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 11, 2017, 11:36:09 PM »

Hi,
don't know how your numbering the pins but that's wrong.

The output pins are 2-9,1,14,16 and 17. Further your machine should be producing 5V logic high. Might expect 3.3V with a modern machine
or laptop or late model parallel card.
Re-read the installation manual for Mach3. Pay close attention to the PP pin numbering and report back the results for the DIR pins for
X,Y,Z.

7136

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 11, 2017, 04:47:11 PM »

Hi,
what does the driver test actually say...I know that it gives a general 'OK' but there are a lot of details.
Can you post a screen shot?

Craig

7137

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z setting

« on: February 10, 2017, 10:59:02 PM »

Hi,
most people have their Z home right at the top of travel. It means the machine co-ords of all your machining/engraving is done
at negative machine co-ords. Sounds weird I know but it works out well.

Lets say you do that and home Z at top of travel. Load a piece of work and jog downwards (increasingly negative machine co-ords) until
the top of the material. Now zero Z. From here on the top surface of the material is 0, a negative number say -1.5 is 1.5mm deep into
the material and any positive number say 2.0 is 2mm above the material and its safe to rapid to a new location or whatever.

Craig

7138

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 beginner wanting to know how to get 6 axis on the software

« on: February 10, 2017, 09:17:52 PM »

Hi,
I haven't tried to do as you are suggesting but it is simple enuf to 'slave' one axis to another.

On the Config/Ports and Pins/Motor Outputs page if you enter the exact port/pin/active low settings in the A axis as you
used in the X axis then the A axis will behave indenticaly to the X axis. Would that be at least part way to what you require?

Craig

7139

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Post Processor

« on: February 10, 2017, 08:55:24 PM »

Hi,
I don't know Vcarve but know that in most cases if Mach is not listed as a separate post then its common to
choose a Fanuc post. I do this with my CAM program and it produces one or two quirks that don't go down well
in Mach it is otherwise pretty good. Usually I have to edit 2-3 lines before loading and running in Mach.

Craig

7140

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Unknown word where unary operation could be

« on: February 10, 2017, 06:50:59 PM »

Hi,
code looks good to me as well.

Could it be the S2000 word, it has already been stated above, maybe it doesn't like being repeated. Clutching at straws I know...

Craig