Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Demonic possesion or...

« on: August 05, 2007, 10:41:10 AM »

is this a case for "optimization" ?

The other day I could only get the Z axis to operate.  I got tired of playing around and shut down for the night.  The next day I fired up the computer and Mach3... everything worked flawlessly and I engraved some text and a bitmap of our company logo... playing with depth of cut, etc.  It worked beautifully (aside from my lack of experience).  Today... well, I have zero motor control.  I changed nothing in Mach.  My guess is I need to perform the optimization ritual.  This is on my desktop, hooked to the internet, yada, yada.

Also,  I'm thinking of building a dedicated computer to operate the machine.  What are your thoughts on a configuration?

Thanks,
Sweeney

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trying to get started...

« on: July 31, 2007, 03:44:40 PM »

Thanks, Brian.

I'll be home around 5:00pm EST( about an hour and 15mins).
E-mail a number and I'll call on my dime.

Cheers!
John

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trying to get started...

« on: July 31, 2007, 09:25:21 AM »

I now have lit indicators for the parallel port in the diagnostics window, no apparent E-stops engaged... it looks to me as though I should have some motor control yet there is nothing.  Can you check parallel port pins via a digital multi meter?

Thoughts?

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trying to get started...

« on: July 29, 2007, 09:53:43 PM »

No joy.  In my diagnostics window (Mach3) I have no indicators lit for the parallel port pins.  Pins are checked in "ports + pins". 

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trying to get started...

« on: July 29, 2007, 03:23:27 PM »

Ah, good!  I'll down load now.

Thanks!

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trying to get started...

« on: July 29, 2007, 02:39:05 PM »

Thanks, Hood.

I was wondering if that would be the best route.  Can you upgrade to Mach3 or do I need to just buy it outright?

Cheers,

37

General Mach Discussion / Trying to get started...

« on: July 29, 2007, 11:32:04 AM »

I'm completely new to CNC.  I've had my Taig mill and Mach2 for over a year but have just found time to tinker with them.  My first problem, Mach2 and my stepper control (MPS) are not on speaking terms.  I first set up on a new Linovo ThinkPad with docking station, nothing.  I the switched over to my desktop, nada... both are running XP professional. I've set the pin outs, parallel ports address, etc. but I have no control to the motors.  I know it a wide open playing field... Thoughts?

Much Appreciated,

38

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: July 28, 2007, 03:46:22 PM »

Hi,

Just getting my feet wet in CNC as a hobby to start.  I bought a Taig mill well over a year ago along with Mach2 and I'm just now starting to tinker with it... sad, I know.