Messages

1051

General Mach Discussion / Re: Time to have new members have restricted posting rights

« on: November 05, 2007, 10:39:55 AM »

Please do NOT place restrictions on the forum. I am on another forum  for electronic organs ( another of my interests) and we suddenly started getting posts advertising viagra and all sorts of other rubbish. The forum was restricted - and that destroyed the forum. unfortunately.

This is an excellent forum - unfortunately thare are those in the world that cannot let we who enjoy our life to get on with it, without butting in !!!

Jim Pinder

1052

General Mach Discussion / Re: units/min drop with backlash comp on

« on: November 05, 2007, 10:31:29 AM »

curious and more curious - what pattern are you trying to cut/mill/turn or whatever.

Jim

1053

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor noise

« on: November 04, 2007, 03:35:28 PM »

Have you tried using a higher Kernel speed - Config/Ports and Pins - bottom left hand side. I understand this alters the speeds at which Mach3 puts out info to your computer. I think this is new and did not appear on Mach2.

1054

General Mach Discussion / Re: units/min drop with backlash comp on

« on: November 04, 2007, 03:26:55 PM »

What you seem to be saying is that, when you are running a G-code program, the program sets off and seems to run at the speeds set for G0, and G1. Then, as the program progresses, over about 20 minutes, the respective speeds gradually slow down, until the whole machine grinds to a stop. This happens with CV on and with backlash compensation enabled.

Does it only happen with backlash enabled - i.e. if you cancel backlash compensation then the thing runs at the proper speed throuhout the program, or without CV on it runs OK

I was recently using my lathe with a program of about 20 mins. It is set to CV and backlash (quite a big backlash) was on and I did not notice any drop in speed (although my G1 speed is only 4 ins per minute on steel).

What % is your backlash speed. What speeds are you expecting in the first place. You are mentioning acceleration, which I assume is the setting in the Config/Motor Turning/Acceleration. What is this et at for the motor speed you are expecting.

It sounds an odd fault, but there must be a reason - somewhere.

1055

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch / Spindle start problem

« on: October 31, 2007, 08:29:21 AM »

As Stirling has said - you haven't said how it all works.  My M3 M4 M7 and M8 outputs from the computer all drive relays (driven by a Darlington array) They require an active low signal to drive them. I have noticed, in certain circumstances my Omron inverter says both M3 and M4 are on simulataneously (this is not allowed and the Omron flashes up a fault). This means that there is no output from the computer, i.e. the computer is at Ov.  The relays and Darlington array are powered from the stepper driver board supply - via a 5v regulator, so if the computer is at 0v, both lines appear active to the Darlington and it turns both M3 and M4 relays on simultaneously. (It is probably turning on the M7 and M8 relays as well, but I haven't connected up my coolant yet )

 The thing to do is check the signals from the computer, first at your breakoutboard board, and see if what is happening is being signalled by the computer, or if it is a mismatch of power supplies to your relay drivers. My breakout board is not powered, so it accurately reflects the output from the printer port. If yours is powered, you may want to disconnect the cable and try checking the port directly at the plug.

Some breakout boards have a disable pin as well, and if you have enble/disabled this from the computer, it may, when on E-stop, disable all outputs from the breakout board. This is fine, but if your relays are active low and powered from another source, this could be your problem.

1056

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can I have a beep and a flashing icon ???

« on: October 20, 2007, 02:01:33 PM »

Thanks Brett - that's what I was looking for.

Jim

1057

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach 2 not working with G code produced by Turbo Cad/Cam

« on: October 20, 2007, 05:24:28 AM »

Sorry Graham - see other post "need help with G40, G41 G42"
 

1058

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G code help

« on: October 19, 2007, 05:41:10 AM »

Have a look at the Tutorials (at the top of the page).

Follow it through to the Cantasia site and have a look at the one called "Scripting Intro" . It tells you how to do it.

1059

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Newbie Question Gcode

« on: October 18, 2007, 04:28:22 AM »

I'm quite sure you will pick up the fundamentals quite quickly. I only started in earnest about 6 months ago. Like you I was around when basic ruled (on a Sinclar Spectrum), I've done PIC chips and now I did CNC (as another branch to my hobby - miniature railways)

If you are at home with Basic - look at the Visual Basic macros (see the video tutorials) - you will feel quite at home there.

Jim

1060

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Need help with tool diameter offsets G40, 41,42

« on: October 18, 2007, 04:18:42 AM »

Thanks - I'll try along those lines and see if I can crack it.