Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 crashing !!

« on: December 16, 2006, 08:47:42 AM »

There is no Mach 3 to minimise ...... when it crashes it goes completely off screen with no clues to where it might have gone!

As I said, it will not restart implying that either it is still running but not visible or the crash prevents it from restarting.

Alan

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 crashing !!

« on: December 15, 2006, 11:03:39 AM »

OK folks panic over. The problem was due to a misplaced decimal point in the setting for the feedchange plane which made it up in the sky somewhere!!

However, message for Art ...... Mach3 was presumably tripping during file load because of an out of range command measurement that it found on file loading but the trip causes Mach 3 to crash and it cannot restart. The shut down is instantaneous and the window delivering the trip message flashes on screen and dissapears too quick to be read. The crash is also doing something to XP as it will not shut down correctly either after Mach 3 has crashed.

Maybe something for you to look at ......

Alan

13

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 crashing !!

« on: December 15, 2006, 10:14:35 AM »

My mach3 v.2 is crashing on loading a G code file. It is one particular file only. As it crashes there is a very brief message panel that goes off again too quick to read but I think it includes the word "tripped"

The crash also causes Windows XP not to shut down properly and the PC has to have the power removed in order to shut it down rather than leave it to switch off by itself.

I have tried it on two separate PC's with the same result.

The code has been prepared with a post processor used OK before from the CAM software from Dolphin.

Rather than post the G code file in full at this point, has anyone any ideas upon the possible causes please?

Alan

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: rotary axis setup

« on: November 22, 2006, 11:58:10 AM »

Did Mach 3 take the 400.2 steps/ degree or does it only take an interger number?

Not sure yet what the A axis diameter actually does. Is this the stock material diameter or the finished work diameter?

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: rotary axis setup

« on: November 21, 2006, 11:51:46 AM »

OK, if the steps per box is interpreted as degrees then I just calculate the number of steps required to turn the table one degree and enter that in the steps per box.

Thanks.

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: rotary axis setup

« on: November 21, 2006, 11:21:47 AM »

Not so sure as the motor tuning page sets steps per .... and that refers to the native units used inches or millimeters. Nowhere can I find any reference to setting steps per revolution.

So my question remains what is the DRO indicating on a rotary axis and how is it set?

17

General Mach Discussion / rotary axis setup

« on: November 20, 2006, 04:30:10 PM »

I have just added a rotary axis to my set up the A axis. I am now trying to find out how to calibrate it and verify the DRO reading to the table position.

I know the table reduction ratio (worm/wheel) and I can set my micro stepping motor as usual , but how do I know what units the DRO is reading? degrees? Radians? or something totally different?

Advice on the correct setup procedure would be appreciated.

Alan

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 driver test

« on: August 25, 2006, 10:10:04 AM »

Solution to problem found! ...... believe it or not the cause was simply due to an unplugged floppy drive in the USB port. Why a portable device should cause the error I know not but anyrate I am back in "happy bunny" land

19

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 driver test

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:43:29 PM »

Posted this on the Yahoo forum today ....... posting here as well in the hope of enlightenment!

All was fine .... until today and the CNC mill stopped or rather kept
hicchupping. Checked the Laptop with the driver test and the result
was abysmal .... not a good graph at all with pulse rates often as low
as 500 or so. Obviously (I think) affecting the drive motors.

Tried all the usual optimisation recommendations with no effect....
but why should it change from working OK anyway?

Put the laptop back to as it was and did another few driver tests and
got good results with pulse rates up 50,000 plus ..... did a few more
and back to crap again. Bursts of terrible pulse rates.

Why this variation? No other programs running except background
services which have not shown a problem before.

Going bald with pulling hair out!!

Alan

20

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Peculiar Z movement

« on: May 02, 2006, 12:14:35 PM »

Brian,

Thanks, using my example code above in the first post would you put the G43 on line 70?

I have the tool length set to 1" in the tool data set in the CAM program. Should a further setting be required in Mach3?

regards

Alan