Messages

61

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Resize a DXFfile

« on: March 17, 2008, 02:22:54 PM »

Found it.
Initially it was 1.000  changed the X and Y axis to 0.500 and then the LED on each buttin is now blinking yellow.
But the GCode did not change. 
Guess I am doing something wrong, any ideas?

62

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Resize a DXFfile

« on: March 17, 2008, 12:34:18 AM »

My first post!!!

Have  a full version of Mach3 and TurboCad.  How can I resize a DXF file that is too large for my CNC to cut?

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help Configuring Limit and Homing Switches

« on: October 23, 2007, 12:24:36 PM »

QUOTE
"Then you'll need either external logic or individual switches for limits and home i.e. 9 in all for a three axis machine where each switch is allocated it's own input. You'll therefore need to add a second parallel port."

What do you mean by "External Logic" could you explain how this would be used?

I am currently using a dedicated desktop PC for my CNC, and have added a PCI Parallel card to it as recommended by my Isolated breakout board Manufacture, to further protect the PC. 

If I add another PCI Parallel Card will I need another isolated breakout board, as the current BO board only has 5 connection points for home, limits and EStop?

Let me understand, in the Mach3 videos you say that their machine is set up with 9 separate switches?  I don't think this is the case because in their example of the "Input pins" it shows the + and - limit SW's connecting to pin 10, and the home connecting to pin 11, I might have 10 and 11 reversed, I'm working from memory here.  But when they manually press one SW only one LED lights, this makes me think that somewhere in Mach 3 you can define what switch is being hit by the direction of movement before hitting the SW. 

Sorry to keep beating this possibly dead horse but I want to understand and set my machine up properly and safely.

Mr Chips

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help Configuring Limit and Homing Switches

« on: October 23, 2007, 09:55:13 AM »

I have some more information to add to aid in understanding my problem and what can be dont to correct it.

When jogging the Y Axis in the "-" direction, I hit the "-" direction limit switch with my hand (This will also be my Home SW.
As soon as I hit it the travle stops, and all three Leds (- + and home) are lit in the "Diagnostic screen".  I noted the "Y" direction as an example, all Axis act like this.

I must have touched some thing some where in Mach3 because I can now jog off the held SW and then I can press and clear the Reset light.

In the video I saw only the opened limit SWLED  light up.  This is what I would like to happen.

Also they talk about it automatically driving off the "Hit" SW automatically.  Would also like to have this happen if Mach3 will do it.

I did a quote, to get to add this additional information, but I don't see where to add an attachment.  Is it possible to add attachments in this situation?

Thanks

65

General Mach Discussion / Help Configuring Limit and Homing Switches

« on: October 23, 2007, 01:40:08 AM »

My 1st Posting!

I am confused about settingup my limit and Homing switches.  As you can see in the below drawing each axis has two normally closed switches, one just a limit and the other is both a limit and home switch both switches are wired in series.  The breakout board manufacture showed this thpe of switch configuration and I understand that this is possible, I just can't find the way to set it up.  The X axis is connected to pin 10 on the breakout board.  Mach3 must have a way of knowing the direction it is travling and if it hits a limit or a limit and home switch. The breakout board has Gnd, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 for the limits, home and EStop switches.
 How do you configure this?  Also If a limit is hit I want to drive off of it automatically, to get out of theh error condition.
I also pasted a the input screen where I think this is done, but don't know how.  Please refer to tabs and screens in their exact names, so I can see how to do the setup.  Remember this is my first post.