Messages

51

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch issues

« on: December 26, 2015, 09:18:01 AM »

Just found that out, sorry about that. Google - Mach3 tutorial PDF, should be the second one down.

52

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch issues

« on: December 26, 2015, 08:56:25 AM »

limit switches need to be wired in series, Mach3 will, when set up correctly, monitor the pin that they are wired to and see which one has been activated, it normally goes Z axis first, then backs off the switch until it is off it, then the X axis, backs off until its off, the Y axis until it is off - all axis in home position. In normal operation with soft limits set up correctly Mach3 monitors the pin and sees if any of the limits has been reached (either mechanically with the limit switches or numerically with the soft limits). It is explained in the link I posted earlier, please read it again, please check your machine, post back with pictures to show how it is set up, also post screen shots of your config pages of Mach3 to check all is set up correctly.

53

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch issues

« on: December 26, 2015, 07:14:39 AM »

Lets get back to the point, this is getting you or us nowhere, bitching helps no one, end of!

You have a problem with your ref home, how are your limit switches wired up, are they mounted correctly, what type of limit switch are they. Give good details and we can start to get somewhere.

54

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch issues

« on: December 25, 2015, 04:20:25 PM »

ftp://machsupport.com/Docs/Mach3%20Setup%20Tutorial.pdf Read this, this is all I read to get me up and running.

55

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch issues

« on: December 25, 2015, 03:24:00 PM »

Built my CNC out of old scrap parts, didn't know the first thing about CNC, let alone the stuff that drives it. Came across Mach3, bingo, my machine up and running with no issues including soft limits, limit switches and home switches. If you don't like Mach3 move on, stop disrespecting Art and the guys who have put a considerable amount of time, money and effort into this product WHICH WORKS........................................rant over, have a merry christmas

56

General Mach Discussion / Re: Getting 2 different size cuts on each side of machine

« on: December 23, 2015, 06:57:41 PM »

If you cut a 2" square on the X zero side then cut a series of 2" squares across the table to the X+ side of the table, how would the squares measure up? Also check were the 2" cut outs come to, are they out relative to the Gcode. Is the problem cummulative or in one position. Cummulative would point to wear in drive or incorrect step set up. One position would point to broken tooth/gear/chain link................?
Good luck

57

General Mach Discussion / Re: need Help on Ref all home

« on: December 23, 2015, 04:43:35 AM »

Click on CONFIG > HOMING/LIMITS, adjust speed %

58

General Mach Discussion / Re: The solutions to my false limit switch triggering issues

« on: December 10, 2015, 03:11:51 PM »

Electrics/electronics is a definite dark art, being mechanical all my life and now only getting into electrics I have found this out.
Working with electricians who have been at it for all their lives they too find hard with ground loops, feedback, earth impedances, shielding and so on, especially with modern day control equipment. It has become a very scientific art to make every component work together without interference of some form or fashion. Following the manufacturers guidelines is a must, but for some people decide they know better and go their own way. Good test equipment again is a must but unfortunately this is financially beyond some. So it boils down to advise from guys who have been there and done it, for that I take my hat off to you and thank you for the time, patience and effort you put in to helping us lesser mortals through the dark art of electrics and electronics. Definitely without Tweakies help I would not have Scrappy up and running.

Stewart

59

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: cutting MDF and Plywood

« on: December 07, 2015, 09:57:12 PM »

Many thanks for the info guys, really appreciate your input.

Stewart

60

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: cutting MDF and Plywood

« on: December 07, 2015, 05:00:59 PM »

Many thanks Gerry and Gary,

After a bit of a search I came across http://www.cncroutershop.com/uk_en/belin-single-flute-down-spiral.html, now one of these is more expensive than a dozen of the ones I have been using, so cheap is not always better!!!!!
Now I am going to show my ignorance now, feedrates I have now found out are important, using the formula FEED RATE = N x cpt x RPM the tool highlighted above will require a feedrate of 2000mm/min if I run at 20,000RPM, my poor little machine can just about manage 1000mm/min at a push, with the wind in the right direction. Will lowering the feedrate effect the tools performance/service life or can I just simply lower the RPM so the feedrate calculation will fall into my machines working envelope?

Sorry for being such a noob

Stewart