Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 w/smoothstepper and EStop issue...

« on: June 05, 2017, 06:51:20 AM »

I'm trying to finalize my SmoothStepper install with Mach3 and an "existing" profile. The eStop was working fine but now the physical eStop is works but the software eStop in Mach is not working.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

I'm seeing the following in the History log when starting Mach and hitting the Estop:

Mon - 06:49:09 ---Program Startup
Mon - 06:49:10 ---ReConfiguration Estop.
Mon - 06:49:13 ---Application Watchdog Triggered
Mon - 06:49:32 ---Limit Switch Triggered
Mon - 06:49:35 ---command killed due to buffer error.

Adam,

2

General Mach Discussion / Question about lost steps and CPU cycles...

« on: May 30, 2017, 06:45:46 AM »

I've been struggling with lost steps with Mach3 and a post by one of the members at CNC Zone has informed me that he believes my problem is with using the PC at the same time that Mach is running a job.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/337052-counter-balancing-z-axis-6.html#post2052068

In my test case I was running a 1.3hr job and at the same time I was on the internet after - about 50 minutes into the job my Z axis lost steps, significantly, nearly .75"

Can anyone confirm this problem and if so how do I maximize the chances of a successful run for long jobs?

I'm specifically looking for ways to shutdown services and applications in the OS (Windows 7) to increase the chances... also, will a multi-core CPU and or memory have any impact on this phenomenon?

Thanks,

Adam,

3

General Mach Discussion / Ports and Pins and Homing - G540

« on: February 04, 2017, 10:24:38 AM »

So I have a question that I'm looking to understand how this is currently working with my setup...

I have my limit switches wired in series for X/Y/Z and a I have a slaved motor on the X Axis (A) which is wired independently, they are using 2 inputs on my G540.

On the Configuration/Ports and pins page I have X,Y and Z on Pin 1 on my G540 (Input) and the A Axis on Pin 2 (Input). see attached

This is working perfectly but I'm trying to understand just exactly how the machine knows how to home itself?

I realize that my X Axis is squaring itself based on the X/A Axis and that is the need for having them on separate input pins. Since X,Y and Z are wired in series, tripping any of the Axis opens the circuit so how does it know when the other Axis are homed since the circuit is now open?

Adam,

4

General Mach Discussion / Dumb question? Auto zero X and Y axis with a zeroing jig?

« on: December 16, 2016, 06:59:27 PM »

I currently use a touch off plate for my z axis.

How do I apply that same concept for centering my x and Y axis, can I use the same plate??

Adam,

5

General Mach Discussion / I screwed up!!!! I forgot to set my offsets...

« on: December 10, 2016, 09:37:26 AM »

Like an idiot I forgot to save my offset in the project I started and I tripped the circuit breaker.

How can I reset my X and Y co-ordinates?

Does Mach save offset by default in a backup file??

Help please...anyone with some ideas?

Adam,

6

General Mach Discussion / Confirmation on motor tuning...

« on: December 15, 2015, 12:10:17 PM »

I'm replacing my Threaded Rod with a 5mm Ball Screw and just wanted to verify that I'm doing the math correctly for tuning the motor with a G540 and a stepper with 200 steps per rev.

200 x 10 = 2000

2000 / 5.08 = 393.70

Thanks,

Adam

7

General Mach Discussion / Problem with Post file from MC5 to Mach3...

« on: November 22, 2015, 10:28:14 AM »

I'm having a problem with my post file from MC5 and Mach, it appears to generate a bunch of garbage... anyone know what's going on and how to correct the problem?

Adam,

8

General Mach Discussion / Fixture Save... questions?

« on: December 23, 2014, 11:09:41 AM »

I'm still very new to the CNC world and was wondering what the best practice and usage is for using fixture saves?

I assume a fixture save is for repeat work or multiple piece work so that stock positioning is taken out of the equation?

Does it make sense to do a fixture save, just in case, when starting a new project so that you can start where you left off in case something were to happen before the job finishes?

Is it possible to start a project that you quit if you didn't do a fixture save?


Adam,

9

General Mach Discussion / Why does my slave axis do this?

« on: December 20, 2014, 08:14:49 PM »

On the initial homing of my machine I have no problems and I'm able to run a job successfully. However lately whenever I try to re-home the machine I'm having the following problem, does anyone know what causes this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oJe46yTu0kE

I have also posted this on CNCZone, here is a link to the discussion http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/253832-slave-axis.html#post1615206

Thanks for any insight or suggestion you might have.

Adam,

10

General Mach Discussion / Problem zeroing after tool change... using BigTex Screen

« on: December 16, 2014, 07:08:15 PM »

My initial tool touch off works flawlessly, my problem arose after my first tool change.

The M6 code was reached and the cnc  paused correctly for the tool change. I manually changed the tool and then tried to reset the tool to zero using the "Z" zeroing button and the "Z" axis tried to go past the touch off plate and then proceeded to move "Z" towards the "+" of the axis.

Would this problem be in the macro for the zeroing or somewhere else?

Adam,