Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Stepper Motor Grinding

« on: January 08, 2021, 06:43:38 PM »

Hi,
I am having a problem recently with my stepper motors grinding and missing steps while running programs. I have been running my cnc router for quite some time on Mach 3. I recently relocated the machine and have since been having issues with it. I can jog the machine in addition to using the "go to zero" function with no problems, the motors run smooth. The problem starts when I load and run a program. The motors on all three axis grind horribly and skip steps. The weird thing is that if I press "stop program" and then hit "cycle start" again, the motors run perfectly as if nothing happened. If I stop the program and do a "run from here" or restart the program completely, the grinding comes back, and can only be fixed by the "stop" "start" button presses. The fact that I can jog the motors just fine suggests to me that its not a mechanical or electrical issue. I have also tried different microstepping on the motors with no luck. I believe this to be a Mach problem, but I am lost as to why it is acting up now after I have been the setup for years. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Matt

2

General Mach Discussion / Homing issue.

« on: August 08, 2013, 02:39:12 PM »

Hello,
     I am having problems trying to home two of the three axis on my cnc. The y axis will home itself, touching the switch and backing off until it releases the switch. The issue is that x and z automatically zero after the y axis home is touched. I am using three seperare homing switches that are not connected in any way. Any ideas of what is causing this?

Thank you,
Phill

3

General Mach Discussion / Mirrored image issue

« on: August 07, 2013, 02:08:15 PM »

Hello,
     I am having issues with milling using Mach 3. I load a CAD file with an image that is normal and upright. When I actually cut the image out, it is upside down (a mirrored image of the origional picture).  If I was to pocket the part, it would pocket the bottom side instead of the top. Any ideas of why this is happening?

Thank You,
Phill

4

FAQs / E-STOP - Help

« on: August 02, 2013, 10:30:30 AM »

Can anyone tell me why when I configure an external E-Stop for my machine I get 4 " Port 1 Pins Current State " leds to light up?  When I toggle the E-Stop switch the number 4 led goes on and off but the first 3 leds always remain on. I have no other inputs to mach 3 at this time.
Thanks.

5

FAQs / Limit Switch Set up

« on: August 01, 2013, 08:33:45 PM »

Hello,
I am new to cnc and I am trying to set up my first machine. The problem I am having is with the homing and limit switches. I can set the homing switches for X,Y,and Z and they show up and activate on the diagnostics screen, and I am able to reset the reset button. The issue is when i activate any of X++,X--,Y++,Y--,Z++,or Z-- limit switches I get the error " limit switch triggered", but do not see any activation on the diagnostics screen and I cannot reset the reset button. I am running my switches in series, which if I read the manual correctly is acceptable. I have tried active high and active low. All switches are on the same input pin,( in series ). I have tried pushing the homing switches during the homing operation but it does nothing. What am I doing wrong? I am at a loss. Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thank You,
Phill