Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Cant find DXF import button

« on: July 30, 2016, 01:03:28 AM »

Hi All,
I am looking for the "DXF Import" button that is suppose to be available under the File tab. I only have, Load G-code, LazyCAM, Close G-code, exit. I also looked under program files and didn't find it there either. I wanted to try the Bitmap import.

 I found the instructions in the Mach3 manual page 8-6 section 8.4.1 it says "The import filter is accessed from File>Import HPGL/BMP/JPG and the JPG/BMP button on the dialog.
Let me know if you know how I can find this file.
Thanks
Cary

12

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 configuration

« on: July 24, 2016, 12:17:46 AM »

Hello,
Make sure your pin assignments are correct. The controller should have come with some software that explains which pins are numbered which way. Also it sounds like you might have your acceleration and velocity turned up to high. What speed are you running your steppers at?
Cary

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 23, 2016, 05:16:01 PM »

I'm using a Chinese built TB6560 controller it was included with the stepper motors. Controller, power supply and nema 23 stepper motors. I will post YouTube video in a couple of days where you can see my machine and the rest of it. I have it all done just need to do some editing about the rotary head. I will post a link. Thanks again.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 23, 2016, 01:15:44 PM »

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help. To robertspark, the manufacturer only listed the motor as having 200 steps p/r. (the nema 23's are only 4 wire, does that matter with micro steps?) There is no mention of micro steps so I haven't a clue as to what they are for these motors. Next, you said "set the A axis to rotary in the general config tab", there is no button that says rotary. I am going on the assumption that you are referring to the "check box for angular" vs. unchecked for linear. If that is what you meant then I am okay there. I like your suggestion to run many practice under pressure trials to fine tune the velo/accel in motor tuning. Finally I am unclear as to what you mean by "ustep settings" I will look around the net today and see if I can't teach myself. Otherwise I will look back here later to see if others post. Again many thanks!

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 22, 2016, 09:57:09 PM »

. While I was waiting for some input I kept fiddling around with the settings in motor configuration and this is what I got. I thought that maybe I was doing some calculations wrong I mean the nema 23 says that it is 200 step p/r but maybe it was a typo so I used 2000 and changed the 1200/360=3.333 to 12000/360=33.3333 and tried that well the motor turned so slow that I had to turn the velocity up to 12,000 and the acceleration up to 500. And believe it or not the motor sounded pretty good. But I still had the problem of when I got to MDI and typed A10 it wanted to run for like ever lol. So I thought okay I will go back to motor tuning and change the value to 3.33333 (original calculation), and turned the velocity up to 60000 acceleration to 5000 and bingo it ran great. But in MDI I only got 5 degrees with an input of A10.0  Sooooo I went to settings page and clicked the set axis button and put in 360.0 and the head rotated 180.0 and so I accepted the new setting of 6.6666 and now I get 10 degrees when I input A10.0 Or a full 360 when I input A360.0

Just saw my first reply. Highspeed thank you for your help....How do I set it to rotary? I can't find it.

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 22, 2016, 09:08:12 PM »

Oh yeah I forgot to say that I tried the divide the steps by 360 and it comes up 1200/360=3.33333 and the motor tuning will not go that low so I could not use it as steps per unit number.
Cary

17

General Mach Discussion / newbe with 4th axis problem

« on: July 22, 2016, 07:50:42 PM »

Hi, could I get some help with my 4th axis. I built my own cnc 4 axis machine and am using Mach3. I have followed all the help many of you have posted on how to "tune" my 4th axis rotational head. I got the steps right for my motor it is a nema 23 so 200 steps per/rotation. it is mounted to a 3 jaw chuck and the ratio is 6:1 (motor turns 6 times for the head to turn once). So the steps per/rotation is 1200 200 x 6 = 1200. So I set my "A" axis motor tuning to 1200 and the motor turns fine. I accelerated it to the best I could and all that is okay.

So here is my problem. When I go to MDI and input G0 A10, the head runs for about 8.5 rotations instead of 10 degrees. Help!!! Please!!!