Topics

11

Mach4 General Discussion / Offset image in tool path window

« on: February 25, 2017, 12:42:45 PM »

I am not sure what this indicates, but when I did a "dry run" on one of my gcode files, the tool path window seemed to show the work offset from the path.  Look at the image below to see what I mean.  I've tried to find a setting that would explain this, but being so know to Mach4, I did not find one.

12

Mach4 General Discussion / now do I configure mach4 for second motor on Y axis

« on: February 24, 2017, 05:44:17 PM »

Ox CNC
gecko g540
PMDX 411  motion controller
Mach4 3233
Windows 7

sorry for such a basic question, but I have not been able to find an answer in the documentation or the videos.

I am on an ox CNC which has two Y axis motors.  I can"t find where to tell mach that the motor plugged into motor A is the second Y axis

Also when I jog, it is very slow and haven't found how to regulate that speed

Chaslie

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Can I safely reinstall mach4hobby?

« on: February 20, 2017, 07:48:27 PM »

I may have screwed it up.  Do I have to worry about ly license files if I just reinstall over the top of my last install?

14

Mach4 General Discussion / Getting started with Mach 4

« on: February 17, 2017, 10:44:15 AM »

I just purchased and installed Mach 4, Gecko g540 and PMDX 411 motion controller.  I now find that I am having a hard time getting started with Mach 4.  I started looking at the video tutorials and the first couple I looked at were aimed at Mach 3, not 4 and the screens looked entirely different.  I've looked at some of the manuals and can't get a good context on what I am reading.  I have not actually plugged the motors into the Gecko thinking that I need to understand a bit better how this all works before I do that.

My questions is:  What is a good way to get started? I feel like I am going in circles because there is soooo much info out there and always feel like I am walking into the middle of an on-going conversation.  Can someone help me / direct me to a more orderly way of approaching this?

Side note, I am upgrading from Chilipeppr and tinyG, so I've had  a smidgen of success with CNC'ing.  I upgraded because I thought my growth path would be better with the "big boys toys"
   

15

Mach4 General Discussion / Parallel port not recommended???

« on: February 04, 2017, 08:27:48 AM »

I ordered and recieved my g540 motion controller and was ready to purchase a mach4 hobby and legacy port plug-in when I stumbled across the following blurb....

"We do not recommend using the parallel port with Mach4 as performance is reduced by both this data connection and the processing and memory power of older computers."

The machine I would use would be either a win xp or win 7 refurbished with 4gb of memory and integrated video.  Is this even going to work in light of the statement above???

16

Mach4 General Discussion / Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 06, 2017, 08:29:56 PM »

So if I wanted to switch to Mach4 Hobby, I know that I need a software license and a something like a Gecko g540.  I have a windows XP machine and an Ox CNC router.  Also I know I have to convert my motor wiring to 9 pin Din connectors. What else would I need to purchase in order to get started. 

The windows xp machine is pretty minumal....2gb memory, 80gb HD, and a parallel port.  It would be dedicated to this software. 

Do I need anything else to get this setup and working?  As a retireee, I need to know what I am up against financially before I start a project. I am expecting a layout of about $500 for the license and the controller board.  Anything else I should be aware of?