Messages

1

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: January 02, 2015, 08:52:32 PM »

I have come to a conclusion that isn't part of the problem right now.  I need to do a butt load of work/study on this whole mach3 thing because a couple things I thought were auto matic are not and somethings that I thought wouldn't play a roll in anything "I" would do...they probably will and very soon if I continue using mach3.  I am going to hunker down and read more of the manual, watch more vids and see if there is something I changed with out knowing it because there are some bigass confusing things with this program and that...well it frustrates me highly.  I am never happy when something that I would expect to be a tad more simpler turns out to be overwhelmingly complicated unless you are already an expert on everything "cnc".

2

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: January 02, 2015, 07:23:57 PM »

I believe I had it at .2 for most of the time I had it running and since i have been trying to make it work again I have had it from 0.0 to .8 and back again.  Just tried it again.  The issue is if I set it to anything but o.o it digs into the material, drags over to the begin spot and then the head pulls up and it moves the table around OK but the tool is now OUT of the work.  When I reverse the Z I lose all calibrations and it wont go back and stay set. So I go back to unreversed and i am stuck where I started.
I will scan the forums of all the CNC groups I watch and see if there is someone I can get to come and beat on this infernal machine until it cooperates.

3

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: January 02, 2015, 04:31:15 PM »

It wont do anything now.
I can no longer use it for a thing.  Except be a conversational piece for my coffee table.
I am researching another control unit but I am so unsure of what is worth the price and what isn't.
$4000 into this and I still can't use it.....

4

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: January 02, 2015, 04:14:07 PM »

Ok, I have put the new cable on, tried 4 separate computers and I still get the same problem as I started out with.
The bit wants to auger down into the material, drag across the work piece and then pull up, then continue to NOT carve any thing but it sure looks great moving around NOT carving any thing.

So I have come to the conclusion.   The Gecko is crapped out, Mach3 is crapped out or all of the above.  The gecko I have a warranty on which I will be using.  Mach3 I dont think there is anything they can do if their product doesnt play well with any of the 5 computers, cables or controller boards....it just means I need to find a new post processor that does.

5

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 06:28:37 PM »

How does that work?  Does it mess up the license if you uninstall and reinstall too many times because I have dumped and reinstalled mach 3 about 8 or 9 times.

6

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 03:11:30 PM »

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?products_id=481
They have some good stuff there at decent rates.
I am going to build a large scale router/mill table and if this works out then I am going to use the same equipment to run it.

7

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 02:21:10 PM »

On the pc that has been running m3 it was a "from scratch" PC.  It only had the software and programs that would run it and nothing else.  I reverted it back to that 2 times already.  (I am a computer tech...lol)  It was fresh and clean and had a program wipe it clean as well as search for related files.  It didnt help.  So I think it is just not willing to handle the system or the processes.  It is an old computer, not able to handle the OS thats on it very well but its what I had for a PP.
I am going to try the usb/PP cable offered by the same website that sells the smooth stepper and use one of my faster new machines.  It's one of the slower pc's I have and its a beast.  You would have to order a PC custome made to compete with it so I am sure it can handle anything thrown at it.

8

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 01:22:14 PM »

Ok, may end up doing this: Order a ESS (Ethernet smooth stepper) breakout board, hook that up to my self built computer (I have 3 and I always build them to be super fast and durable) and see if this will solve my issues.  I have learned that a win 7 64 will not run a PP emulator expansion board and that the drive test program wont work with it either.  The PC I have been using is good, slow but good and I am sick on being locked into a parallel port trap.  ARTSOFT and Gecko need to cozy up and make a controller that runs of ethernet or USB and make it run for win 8 on down instead of locking people into limited options like so many others do.  If they can build a break out board to do this then you can build a controller with this built in and the software writers can write the code into the controller and the mach system and even send out an update.
As it is they are losing out on optional sales since others are building this stuff and making money on it.

Seriously...It's time
I lik the g540.  lets make it better folks!

9

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 11:55:23 AM »

would something like this work with a gecko g540?  Or any other parallel port cnc machine?  I know the cable adapter doesnt work but would this?  If it does then I can test out different PC's to see if the PC is the problem.

10

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: PHOTOvCARVE problems!!

« on: December 22, 2014, 11:47:05 AM »

That still doesn't change the problem with the head plunging into the material.
And mine was not reversed.  But I did set it TO BE reversed and when starting a cut it now plunges UP