Messages

2281

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach torch height control vs full external Z control

« on: May 01, 2015, 02:16:04 AM »

The "new" Proma THC sounds like the Proma THCMC that was around as an option when i had mine, that was direct control but the price increase was not worth it. I too could never get mach's Zrate much above 5% - that was part of the issue, and yes, going higher caused the torch to saw-tooth its way along.

I think even the basic CandCNC units are more than adequate for the average user, they are certainly fast and can move the motor in very small steps, faster than the display update on the monitor.

Keeping the mass low sounds good as does a servo system I think, Is there a specific reason you are building for such high specs?

2282

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach torch height control vs full external Z control

« on: April 30, 2015, 10:06:30 AM »

There is a speed constraint related to Mach's Z inputs, but in reality it works well, for me at least. I had a little Proma THC on my small table, it could not keep up and in Proma's own words it was slow internally, add that to all the other delays in the chain and you get issues if the sheet being cut warps by more than a few mm.

I changed to one of CandCNC's excellent kits and the speed is way higher, brilliant accessory IMHO.

The only time I can see the internal control method failing is if you want to cut corrugated sheet, I do think an external control would be essential then.

I don't think the external units use accel/decel ramps though - just not enough time available, it needs to move fast and stop fast, ramping would not allow that.

2283

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref X/Y tweak to give dead space...

« on: April 15, 2015, 02:37:48 PM »

Thanks, starting to make more sense now.

I like having the machine referenced, 1 because it makes sense to me, and 2 because if I get a torch dive or hang up etc I can normally ref it again and rescue the part easily - not sure if that can be done if not reff'd ?

I was unaware that pressing the set origin button was setting G54 work offset, I guessed it just reset machine zero as that was what it appeared to do.

Thanks

2284

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zoom without mouse wheel??

« on: April 15, 2015, 02:28:19 PM »

Thanks

2285

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zoom without mouse wheel??

« on: April 15, 2015, 10:59:05 AM »

ooh, where are table and part selected?

2286

General Mach Discussion / Zoom without mouse wheel??

« on: April 15, 2015, 10:35:17 AM »

Is it possible to zoom the path display without a mousewheel?

Yes I know mice are like 50p each but heyho 

Or is it possible to have it auto-zoom to fit the job each time you load code??

2287

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref X/Y tweak to give dead space...

« on: April 15, 2015, 01:21:25 AM »

Ok so set origin sets a work offset, G30 clears this offset??

I wouldn't generally ref the machine again, unless an estop was called.

2288

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref X/Y tweak to give dead space...

« on: April 14, 2015, 01:54:40 PM »

Ok, it sort of works

Had to move the soft limits 3mm as well but that made sense so ok.

Ref x/y worked good - it zeroed then set DRO's to -3mm as I wanted.

Cut a job - worked great,

Next job was in the middle of a part used sheet so I jogged to where I want, used "set ref point" to set my start location, cut job as normal.

Then I told it to ref x/y again and it only set to zero this time, no 3mm offset this time??
Restart mach and it works again.

So obviously I'm getting coordinates confused but is there a solution or can it not be done??

2289

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref X/Y tweak to give dead space...

« on: April 13, 2015, 10:10:09 AM »

I think that's it, all I do is ref the machine, chuck the plate on, load code up and cut

I don't think I use work zero at all?

It would just be really useful to not have to remember to add X&Y shift to the jobs in Sheetcam.

2290

General Mach Discussion / Ref X/Y tweak to give dead space...

« on: April 13, 2015, 05:01:32 AM »

Is it possible to set the Ref X-Y feature to home to zero then set DRO's to say -3mm

I have my axis zero points set to the edge of the material guides on X & Y, but if I forget to allow a shift of around +3mm in Sheetcam it fails to cut or tries to cut along the edge of the sheet.

Just wondering