Messages

61

Share Your GCode / Re: Just starting out

« on: November 21, 2014, 05:33:56 PM »

I've been running my home built router for years now and can't write g-code to save myself. My Cad/Cam program writes the code for me.
The sort of work you intend to do with your router will dictate the style of programs you should look at.
If you are only going to cut out simple shapes on the machine, then you will get by with simple programs, but if you are wanting to create 3D or rotary projects, then you're looking at higher spec programs.
I use Vcarve Pro or Aspire from Vectric for my work. You can download a trial version of these programs to get a feel for them.
Just to clear this up for you. You will need a program such as Mach3 to control the machine as well as a Cad/Cam program to do your design work. Which ever way you go, you'll need to make sure that your design program will export the correct code for your control program.
All the Vectric programs export code to mach3 in mm or inch, as well as dealing with tool changers and rotary axis work if it's applicable to the program.

Hope that helps.

62

General Mach Discussion / Re: Up is Down!! Z axis is moving in the Wrong direction.

« on: November 11, 2014, 10:24:56 PM »

Go into Config - Ports & Pins - Motor outputs and toggle, Dir Low Active setting.
You may then need to set up your homing directions to suit, under Homing Limits etc.
Pretty sure that will get you there. It's been awhile since I have done all that kind of tweeking.

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: Which cam soft for 4 axis simultaneous milling with mach3 ?

« on: November 03, 2014, 05:57:14 PM »

I use either Vcarve Pro or Aspire for my 4th axis work.
They are both Vectric programs.
http://www.vectric.com/index.html

64

One on one phone support. / Re: Phone Support Request

« on: September 04, 2014, 06:25:27 PM »

Mach3 is a 32 bit system program, unless you are using an external motion controller.

Quote from web site.

Software Requirements
Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:

*Use of Parallel Port for machine control only on 32-bit versions of windows.
32-bit Desktop – Parallel Port Requirements

    32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
    1Ghz CPU
    512MB RAM
    Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Laptop, 32 or 64-bit Desktop – External Motion Controller Only

    An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
    Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
    1Ghz CPU
    512MB RAM
    Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or highe

65

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems communicating with CNC

« on: July 19, 2014, 07:44:41 PM »

Mach3 is a 32 bit system.
This http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,27428.msg193654.html#msg193654 might help.

66

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Re: Copycat frustrations. Some advise needed please.

« on: June 16, 2014, 01:34:30 AM »

Thanks Rich.
I agree that there isn't much talk about using this part of the program on the forum, which is a shame because it's a nice simple concept.
The version I'm currently using is R3.043.022. I was thinking that maybe I should update, but when I read the section about updating, it recommends, "Some updates may require a reconfiguration of system settings in MACH software. Please do not update MACH software if your machine is running correctly and there are no improvements you require in the current version release".
My machine is running perfectly and there is no mention of any update of CC, so I didn't do it.
I have figured out that I need to save the Notepad file or I will loose the data next time I start a new teach file.

67

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Copycat frustrations. Some advise needed please.

« on: June 15, 2014, 02:03:55 AM »

Like the title states, I'm struggling to get Copycat to work correctly.

First off I had an issue with my video pluggin that I intended to use with CC. Thanks to Klaus that is all sorted now.
I then downloaded the CC manual from the "Members docs" section on the forum. I read through the manual and played around in the default program and was sure that I would be able to use CC for what I needed, so I purchased an Addons licence.
I then found out that I still had the old version of CC installed, so I did a search and downloaded V1.1 and have that up and running with lic.

Now the problem is that I can't seem to get CC to function correctly.
I can set all the Feeds, Safe Z and Holes specs in their respective places. I can jog around using my camera and generate code that will cut a profile shape etc.
My problem arrises when I jog to the centre of a hole I want to cut.

The program requires a rapid or feed move to the center of the hole, that's ok. Then I tell it to "Cut Hole" and I get a popup window stating that the "Tool diameter must be larger than zero".
I have the tool diameter of 2.5 entered in the screen box, but when I type 2.5 in the popup window it rejects it. After much frustration and trial and error, I have found that it will only let me enter a figure between .1 and 2, nothing higher. This is regardless of how big I make the tool diameter in the onscreen box.
If I let it accept a figure of say 1, it posts up code for the hole cut operation, but I get this HUGE circle appear in the toolpath screen and it doesn't match the position or size of the required hole.

I have tried letting the machine cut the complete code. The profile with rapids and feed commands works perfectly, then it tries to cut the huge circle.

I have tried finding out why it does this but have drawn a blank. At first I thought it was a mm to inch thing, but my native units are in mm's and CC doesn't have anywhere to change that. I have created various tools in Mach3, but that doesn't seem to alter anything.

The other frustrating thing is that it overwrites the file and I have now lost the original file that I made.
Is there a way of adding to an existing CC file that has been created earlier? This would help so I don't have to go back and generate the profile section of my code.

I'm at my wits end with CC. Can anybody help me out?

68

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving Spindle.

« on: June 13, 2014, 05:33:45 AM »

Nice little project you've done.
I would love to have the skills to tackle something like this.

One thing you wrote caught my eye and I thought I'd suggest a possibility.
Quoted from your site.
"It should be remembered that supply voltage as well as shaft loading will affect the Outrunner’s speed quite considerably so, perhaps as another project I will look at a feedback system (measuring actual RPM) in an attempt to maintain constant RPM under varying load conditions – should be bit of a challenge".

Would it be possible to use a speed controller that has the governor facility.
I used to fly R/C Heli's when electic machines were just starting to evolve. A couple of the guys were using gov/esc's and they simply set the rotor head speed via the transmitter. The head speed would hold a very acurate rpm when loaded up.

Just a thought.

69

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Probotix/Startech/Win7/Mach3/CompaqDesktop...HELP!

« on: June 11, 2014, 03:22:36 AM »

The 30 hrs of cursing and tantrums is all in the past now.
Glad you're up and running now.

70

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Probotix/Startech/Win7/Mach3/CompaqDesktop...HELP!

« on: June 09, 2014, 09:54:32 PM »

I think Mach3 is a 32bit program. Maybe that is your issue. (see quoted requirements below)
I run the Probotix equipment for my home built router and I found their setup data to be very confusing, but I managed to get it all working.
Do you get the power LEDS on the BOB and driver boards coming on?
Post up a pic of how you wired the switches etc and I'll see if I can help.



Software Requirements
Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:

*Use of Parallel Port for machine control only on 32-bit versions of windows.
32-bit Desktop – Parallel Port Requirements

    32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
    1Ghz CPU
    512MB RAM
    Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Laptop, 32 or 64-bit Desktop – External Motion Controller Only

    An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
    Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
    1Ghz CPU
    512MB RAM
    Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)