Messages

191

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Parallel Vs UC100

« on: December 20, 2017, 09:18:50 PM »

No, you don't understand. If you are seeing a pulse speed of 15,000, then Mach3 is only running at half speed. It is not working correctly, and I seriously doubt that it will be reliable.

In Config > Ports and Pins, do you have Sherline 1/2 Pulse Mode checked?

So would going to the UC100 be a quick easy fix and solve the pulse rate issues,  since I now have all my settings working and tested?

192

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Parallel Vs UC100

« on: December 20, 2017, 08:50:57 PM »

Its running on a parallel port but I am getting only about 14,000 / 15,0000 pulse rate.

Run Drivertest.exe in the Mach3 folder, and see what the pulse rate is there. If the Kernel speed is set to 25Khz, then it should be very close to 25,000.
If it's only 15,000, then I wouldn't use the parallel port, as you're PC is not running Mach3 correctly. One thing you can try is to make sure the PC is in Standard mode, and not ACPI mode.

Did that before I even started. Very solid test results.  This is a CNC router it can only run so fast before you either start burning wood or bits up. High speed not really needed, must be reliable.  Yes I need to switch over to the Standard mode.

193

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis loss of cutting depth after multiple Z movements

« on: December 20, 2017, 07:51:02 PM »

Yup, I have spent a lot of time and money over the past 10-12 years, in spite of being a Master Electrician who enjoys controls and CNC.  This is my first Mach3 system and its not been that big a deal. In fact I find the Mach3 community pretty darn helpful.  Yes I retired 10 years ago, and will turn 75 next year, but I still enjoy a brain challenge.  Thanks for taking the time to reply.

194

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis loss of cutting depth after multiple Z movements

« on: December 20, 2017, 07:17:58 PM »

The prices of the Smoothstepper are clearly excessive and beyond my means.
In that case you should reconsider whether playing CNC is for you.
Very bluntly, it is NOT a cheap hobby, and trying to go 'real cheap' via China will only bring on a premature heart attack.
And you can't run a 60' yacht for pennies either.

Cheers
Roger

Maybe you missed the part about being Retired and doing the work for Charity.

 Frankly I think he has everything he needs, and I am wondering if he tried the parallel port test that is in the Mach3 folder?  My old Lenovo T43  laptop is running my 6040 Chinese router fine on Windows XP but I have all the power saving, updating, wireless, screen savers and the like either off or disabled.  Good suggestions about acceleration and step adjustments.

I purchased the router from a USA based vender in Chicago that I have used in the past. Paid a lot more than eBay but I know its a decent machine.

195

General Mach Discussion / Re: Touch plate problems and accuracy

« on: December 20, 2017, 07:06:08 PM »

Why do you want or need a touch plate?  Set up the Homing correctly, raise the Z jog over the to  starting point, lower Z until the tool is at your zero and Zero in the display?

196

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Parallel Vs UC100

« on: December 20, 2017, 06:30:40 PM »

Well for now I will just use the Parallel port as its working and I have proved that.  I see the improved motion controllers on the market but most seem to be almost there, but I still see issues.  Actually Mach3 has a lot of features, and since its been in use for a long time much support as here and other sites.  Thanks again Craig for taking the time to reply.

197

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 on Parallel Vs UC100

« on: December 20, 2017, 05:58:20 PM »

Thanks Joe for the reply, I just added a bit to the OEM post about Task Manager only showing 30% CPU usage even when I bumped the Feed Rate up to 200%.   The Tool Database in VCarve has the same feeds and speeds that I used on my Servo driven router machine a few years back.

198

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 on Parallel Vs UC100

« on: December 20, 2017, 05:39:57 PM »

I am new here but not to CNC, have owned and operated several machines and refurbed a Milling machine.

Question I have a Chinese router 6040 and its pretty darn nicely built and it worked out of the box.  Right now Mach3 Mill with some changes to the setup file and I ran about an hour long gcode out of VCarve with lots of movements and Z activity.  Its running on a parallel port but I am getting only about 14,000 / 15,0000 pulse rate. Windows XP 32 bit with ALL the power saving, updating, wireless and the like turned off. Gcode file ran without issues, Homing and the like flawless.  

Ok would I gain anything by installing a UC100?  More pulses equal better???  Or should I just count my blessings and get on with it.

Oh windows Task Manager never shows over 30% CPU usage even when I Over Ride the Feed Rate to 200%