Topics

51

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Denford Quickturn 2D

« on: January 20, 2014, 08:19:40 AM »

Has anyone tried/used the above software? I tried the demo and for a lathe it seems brilliant! I produced the shape in the pic in about 30 seconds flat. Why other lathe oriented programs don't use this simple approach is beyond me!?!?!?!?

It also has a 3D model mode for showing the item in 3D - but quite honestly it's not needed.

The only problem with the demo mode is that it produces ZERO code so you can't determine whether it is ok or not for your purpose.

Anyone use it? Got examples?

Don't use but but want to sell license?

thanks

52

SmoothStepper USB / ESS and BOB questions

« on: January 18, 2014, 09:53:30 AM »

Hi, I have a Uniport v3 connected to Lpt port and for the most part works great, I like the relays etc etc. However wanting a bit more performance I bought a UC100 - this connects directly to the Uniport BOB and works transparently between them. Sadly my system hates the UC100 and it just drops out all the time.

I have looked at the ESS manual and it "seems" that the ESS will do exactly the same except obviously using Ethernet - is this correct?

If so - I'm in the UK, where can I buy one?

thanks

53

General Mach Discussion / UC100 interference - Ethernet better?

« on: January 17, 2014, 02:26:43 PM »

Got a cnc lathe setup with a Uniport v3 - works well enough, but thought I'd try a UC100 motion controller.

The UC100 is great when it works (the steppers are like rockets and very smooth) - however when I turn the spindle on the UC100 just drops out. Interference I'm guessing but I've tried everything to sort it out with no success. Strange as the Printer port never misses a beat.

Has anyone got experience of Ethernet motion controllers? e.g. are they as susceptible to interference as USB?

thanks

54

General Mach Discussion / Denford easiturn opto spindle encoder replacement?

« on: December 12, 2013, 06:16:55 PM »

I have a denford easiturn and i think the original opto spindle encoder is up the spout. I was looking to just directly replace it. I read a post by Hood that recommended the Optek OPB917B.  Does anyone know if this opto will work on the denford? (It's the one with the encoder disk on the spindle that has lots of holes around the edge and then a single slot inside that one - the one mach3 uses).

Can anyone point me in the direction of a circuit diagram for the Optek OPB917B that replicates the original denford opto encoder albeit just using the single slot on the disk.

Thanks in advance - rim

55

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 lathe manual control?

« on: October 16, 2013, 12:16:15 PM »

Hi, just moving into the cnc World. I have a friend who has a Bridgeport EZ-Path S and as well as using g-code it has manual handles so he can use the lathe manually. No I know that you can jog the carriage in Mach3 using the keyboard/pendant on the X and Z axis (lathe) but he can also lock both axis to produce say a 45 degree angle. Handy for quick jobs that don't warrant full blown cnc. Can you do this In mach3?

thanks
Rimmel