Messages

2031

General Mach Discussion / Re: Physical buttons for plasma

« on: January 31, 2016, 03:52:26 AM »

I asked the question on the CandCNC forum, I might get an answer one day...

2032

General Mach Discussion / Re: Here it is the first piezo touch probe...well that I made..

« on: January 31, 2016, 03:49:24 AM »

Man, do i want a cnc mill

I'd convert the Bridgeport but I doubt the backlash compensation runs to 1/2"

2033

General Mach Discussion / Re: Physical buttons for plasma

« on: January 30, 2016, 04:51:37 PM »

hmm i'll double check that, i have all the numerous candcnc manuals

it read like it was ok as mach anti dive was speed related and candcnc tip saver was voltage-spike related, does the voltage rise as speed drops?

if so then i guess that may be why it was turned off, don't recall reading any warnings about it though.

2034

General Mach Discussion / Re: Physical buttons for plasma

« on: January 30, 2016, 04:18:21 PM »

HI Dave.

IF the arc volts go uP then the torch goes down

If the Arc volts go down the torch goes up

Anti corner lock blocks torch down ( Mach3 function)

Anti Gap lock blocks torch down across a void ( THC control function)

What else would you think it needs ?

I would start with the Corner lock at %90 it will vary as to your machine and it motion charectoristics

(;-) TP

Just a quickie...
I was fine tuning some changes to my system today and i happened to notice that Mach anti-dive wasn't even turned on, never noticed the little button and flashing yellow led before - probably been off from day one!

D'oh!

2035

General Mach Discussion / Re: THC moves on the Z axis...

« on: January 30, 2016, 11:03:55 AM »

Yes there is a way (thanks TP),

ports and pins - toggle emulation on and my system was already assigned hotkeys U & D

Is it best to set THC rate as high as it will reliably run or can that be too high??

2036

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 30, 2016, 10:44:17 AM »

Ha, no thats not something I have thought of yet

I tend to use optional M01 stops between cuts on fiddly stuff, so the chances of a forced stop due to a tip-up are low, I never leave the table running on its own as most of my stuff is arty-farty. I can't remember the last flame-out I had, it did happen once but i managed a rescue by re-running the part with the torch off and manually flicking it on when it got near the point when it died

Naturally I have a button on screen to flip the optional M01 stop feature on and off

2037

General Mach Discussion / THC moves on the Z axis...

« on: January 30, 2016, 10:23:19 AM »

Been doing some tuning on the table and got to the Z axis, trying to decrease plunge time etc.

I had it set originally at 1200mm/min and 900mm/s/s acceleration, this seemed a tad low so I pushed it up until it screeched which was at 2000mm/min so i backed off to 1500mm/min. The acceleration went way up to 5000mm/s/s before a screech so backed that down to 4000mm/s/s which gives an estimated 0.3g and 744rpm measured with a tacho on the motor shaft. I think thats ok for a 3.1Nm Nema23 motor. Steps per mm is 1000, 3mm pitch screw direct drive.

This has given a much snappier Z action and normal repeated G0 Z50 / G0 Z0 moves showed no loss of position.

My question is, is there a way to simulate a THC move - these use no acceleration and is usually where the trouble starts??

2038

General Mach Discussion / Re: Msgbox function...

« on: January 30, 2016, 09:43:54 AM »

Ok I tested it out today and I have to say I'm impressed

The tooltable method is way better than my idea and I don't mind admitting that, thanks again TP

Changing consumables is now just a matter of fitting the parts and pressing a button and away we go

The only thing that can upset this the nozzles changing size and knowing Hypertherm's quality i doubt that will happen, oh and breaking the switch of course but that would be my fault

Job Done.

2039

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help Can't get steppers to move!!!

« on: January 30, 2016, 06:06:51 AM »

Ah, I see, thats the trouble with only using plasma - its not that accurate and does not need to be.

2040

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help Can't get steppers to move!!!

« on: January 30, 2016, 04:52:51 AM »

never mind... I thought I had a million dollar Idea lol. some people have done it.

Well what do you guys think.

1. Piezo with a lot of amplification (Simple) have all parts..

2. Accelerometer/inclinometer 256LSB/g = 256mv/g -l do have parts but digital means ill have to use a Arduino to convert a Bit amount to a switched 5v.

3. actual inclinometer 16V/g - 280mv/degree hella sensitive!!!

Why not just use a simple microswitch - I fitted a probe to my plasma machine and the accuracy is about 0.1mm repeatable. The downforce to trip the switch is a mere 3gm.