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Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« on: March 27, 2013, 12:29:00 PM »
Looking to run my cnc plasma using a pen for drafting. Is there a mode to trial the drawing as to do this as well as trial to ensure the drawing will fit on the cutting area?

Offline BR549

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Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2013, 01:10:52 PM »
IF you are looking to Draw the entire object you can turn OFF the spindle function and just run the program.

IF you are looking to draw the outside profile of the object there is NO direct mach3 function for that BUT it can be done. Turn off the spindle function and do a run from here starting at the outside profile.

I think there is a function over in the mach too box that can automate that function for you.

Just a suggestion but you may want to use a roller ball pen to do the drawing.

(;-) TP
« Last Edit: March 27, 2013, 01:12:51 PM by BR549 »
Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2013, 01:18:51 PM »
thank you...I will give that a try.
Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2013, 03:09:55 PM »
 do you mind explaining how to shut off the spindle function?

thanks

Offline BR549

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Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2013, 03:29:43 PM »
In the case of a plasma just turn off the plasma unit.

Here I use a simple 2 pole relay 1 side opens the circuit going to FIRE the torch the other side closes the Good Arc signal so MAch3 can move(IF you "use" the good arc signal).

OR you can setup a second MAch3 session and operate as a plotter with the spindle relay turned off .

Just a thought, (;-) TP
Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2013, 03:25:58 PM »
Thanks again for your help. Mach 3 will not move with the plasma off, it waits for the cut to initiate. Strange that you cant simply run through the program with out cutting, like a trial mode. Do you know where I can turn the spindle on and off? That sounds like the simplest option.

Offline BR549

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Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2013, 06:06:33 PM »
The best solution is to set up a second session of MACH3 and turn off the spindle function AND change the active low setting of the arc good signal.

Mach3 will think the arc is good and run the program.

OR you can just turn off the plasma cutter and change the active low state of the arc good signal in setup.


It all depends on what plasma/thc you are running.

(;-)TP


Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2013, 06:34:29 PM »
I went into the cut profile and changed the arc okay current to zero. This allows the machine to move without trying to initiate the plasma to cut.

thank you for all your help.

Re: Anyone use a pen for drafting?
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2013, 10:00:19 AM »
Could also just turn off Mach3 THC mode.