Messages

281

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Connecting a VFD to Mach4 through Modbus (RS485)

« on: April 11, 2019, 02:18:36 AM »

Thanks for sharing.

you said,
"I chose Huanyang GT series 2.2KW for my Spindle since it does support the   Modbus   protocol   and   interfaces   with   Mach4’s   Modbus   correctly"
Very good to know.
Does your model support the use of a "BRAKING RESISTOR" to stop the spindle in less than 1 sec?
I am interested to upgrade.

282

FAQs / Re: Getting Started With Mach 3

« on: April 11, 2019, 01:55:28 AM »

Hi Folks.
I've recently bought a home CNC running Mach3 software; and, despite watching hours of YouTube self-help videos, I'm struggling to find one that tells me the simple basics.

For example, I can manage to get the bit to trace a pattern / figure, but cannot see how I get it to travel down to the workpiece.

Can anyone point me to somewhere where the absolute basics are described in simple format (every single demo so far seems to be someone purely demonstrating how well they know the software!!).

Any help greatly received!

Yours frustratingly,

John

(Test with a piece of foam or MDF) and a 6mm (or 1/4") bit.
When you load Mach3
You have to click [RESET] and then [REF all zero]
Now click file and load a the gcode file,
press [Tab] key on your keyboard to bring out the JOG screen.
Now use the arrows to move the spindle/router to an origin of the material. The tool must just touch the material to define z zero.
Now click [ZeroX] [ZeroY] and [ZeroZ]
Then click [REGEN. TOOLPATH]
then [Cycle Start]

Download Manual for MACH3 from

https://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mach3Mill_1.84.pdf

283

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

« on: April 11, 2019, 01:33:52 AM »

After you click on [MACH3 R0.043]
at https://www.machsupport.com/downloads-updates/main-programs/
ONCE you have to answer save in Windows.
MACH3 is a small file and downloads very quickly.

284

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cannot tune motor, Motor screen will not allow entering data

« on: April 10, 2019, 10:21:09 PM »

Sorry, but the PMDX-426 project was put on hold because we found USB to work well.

My apologies.
Attached picture is example of USB ground loop isolation devise. Requires external 5V PSU.

285

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cannot tune motor, Motor screen will not allow entering data

« on: April 10, 2019, 07:25:31 PM »

Even PMDX is going ethenet with the  PMDX-426.

(Warp9) USS - USB obsolete - no plugin for MACH4
(CNCDRIVE) UC300 - USB version website says Obsolete - NO MORE IN PRODUCTION

Ethernet
or usb with troubles - will need USB Isolation Earth Device Device + Ferrite sleeves as BAND-AIDS.

286

General Mach Discussion / Re: My Y axis doesn't retract far enough off the limit to continue to my next axis.

« on: April 10, 2019, 05:29:58 PM »

Hi,
can you tell us more about the controller, make and model?

Do you have microswitches or proximity sensors for home switches?. Proximity sensors tend to have not enough
hysteresis for home switches.

Craig

I guessed it is
https://www.sainsmart.com/products/4-axis-cnc-mach3-usb-motion-controller-card-interface-breakout-board.
He misspelt Sain smart as "Rain Smart".

287

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Cannot tune motor, Motor screen will not allow entering data

« on: April 10, 2019, 04:15:07 PM »

"I converted to ethernet and all stuttering is now gone"

EXPECTED if one understands the technologies.

ADVISE To all others 
Upgrade from MACH3+Parallel port to MACH4+Ethernet Motion Controller
Avoid ALL USB motion controllers.

288

General Mach Discussion / Re: My Y axis doesn't retract far enough off the limit to continue to my next axis.

« on: April 10, 2019, 03:29:27 PM »

3 things
1. Increase your debounce to 50 or more. Top right hand corner of config |general config
2. Add  soft limits so that tool head will slow down when it is near the switch. Soft limits is 0 to 0.1" before reaching the far end limit switch.
3. Add 2 ferrite sleeves to your USB cable

289

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3: Expose APIs from Mach4.Document

« on: April 09, 2019, 11:24:31 PM »

You just need to import these registry entries into Windows
(Administrator rights required)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Mach4.Document]
@="Mach4.Document"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Mach4.Document\CLSID]
@="{CA7992B2-2653-4342-8061-D7D385C07809}"


Copy & save into a text file say regentry.reg

start| run
Regedit
Import regentry.reg

Close
reboot PC

290

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: [TUTORIAL] Mach3 Automation C++ ConsoleApp Without VisualStudio Mach3 exControl

« on: April 09, 2019, 10:31:48 PM »

Link to MACH3 OEM codes for Buttons, LED's & DRO's   
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=9312.0;attach=6986