Official Luthiers Forum!

Nelson you where right about the G64 command, it smoothed it out considerably, the trade off is you lose some speed (at least on my system). But it was much easier on the machine, I pushed it to 90FR and it did fine.

MachIII is definately better than MachII, but it still has some weird behaviours. You may not run into them but I do every now and then, I don't even like going near any of the motor stuff anymore

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Hello Paul,
I am Brian Baker one of the programmers of Mach3 :) I can tell you that you were running software that was in development and is now fixed. I can also tell you that if you need help please mail Art or my self. Also if you would like to have more speed that is not a problem! We now run hardware such as the NCPod from OEM Tec and the G100 form Geck drive. if you need more then that we can also run Galil and delta tau. From your post I can tell you that your problems are all settings and if you would like I can help you with them..

Now what I was here for! I wanted to tell you that you all do GREAT work!!!

thanks and please tell me if I can help (we use the phone too ;) Barker80639090.9055671296

Thanks Brian...

I take it there is a new version of the software available then?, after spending more time with both the machine and the software I have it working pretty reliably. I just finished cutting some custom bridges and sheets of shell as well as some new designs I've been playing with.

My main contention with the software are the following items:

1. The Tool Change Command not working, I'd like to have the spindle center near all my bits so I can change them out easily.

2. The problem with the inputs to be fixed, I stay away from there in fact just because of that.

3. I'd love to use Goto Safe-Z and be able to set it to a hard parameter outside of the reference offsets.

4. More speed would be nice but even with G64 command once I get it up and going anything past %80 starts getting a little too jumpy. One problem with speed is that if the machine attempts to jump directions without first slowing a little, it will trip controller and I have to restart. I've had to slow my bridge work a little because of this to keep it reliable.

As I stated the software does indeed work, and I've made some pretty progress with it. I'd love to go over my setup, but it will have to be in Email as I am back at a real job again.

Cheers

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul--Have you tried adjusting the acceleration and deceleration ramps in the motor settings? That might stop the controller from tripping. I know you said you don't like to go near the configuration but be brave.
Brian--Great to see you here! I think Mach rocks!
Nelson

I second Nelson's recommendation, Paul. I would also do the loosen/tighten alignment drill on your parallel rails.    Sounds like you might have binding issues.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Hello Paul,

>My main contention with the software are the following items:

>1. The Tool Change Command not working, I'd like to have the spindle center near all >my bits so I can change them out easily.

This is NO problem! I can help you with this… Do you have home switches on the router table?

>2. The problem with the inputs to be fixed, I stay away from there in fact just because of >that.

What are you talking about here?

>3. I'd love to use Goto Safe-Z and be able to set it to a hard parameter outside of the >reference offsets.

We can do this with a G53. This is a move in Machine coordinates. (all I ever use for picking the head up)

>4. More speed would be nice but even with G64 command once I get it up and going >anything past %80 starts getting a little too jumpy. One problem with speed is that if the >machine attempts to jump directions without first slowing a little, it will trip controller >and I have to restart. I've had to slow my bridge work a little because of this to keep it >reliable.

Hmmmm… I think I know what the problem is… I think you are having a problem with “Jerk”. This is the rate of change of acceleration. For example if you get in your car an mash the gas you feel a sharp snap and then you feel constant pressure holding you into the seat. The snap pulling you back is called Jerk and is the 3rd order derivative of position… but I will have to look at your XML file to tell you for sure.
The fix is a new bunch of software that we are working on called Quantum and it fixes this by S-curving the velocity…

Hope that helps and please feel free to send me your screen and so on 

BTW Thanks for the kind words Nelson

I'm a newbie with this stuff (running Mach 3 for about 6 weeks), but it's been rock solid for me. I'm running steppers and the Xylotex kit, so my performance is limited because I only have so much power at my disposal. Someday I'd like to move to servos, geckos and a big power supply.

With this hardware/software, blended 100 IPM movements are my safe upper limit. I can push it much harder, but eventually lose steps. Under that threshold, I'm getting smooth movement and good cutting speeds. No doubt there are better, faster, more robust solutions, but Mach offers a LOT of bang for the buck. $169 vs. many thousands of $.

FYI. My PC is a 800Mhz AMD Compaq (salvaged) with a clean install of XP Home. It's dedicated to running my router and generates in excess of 45700 pulses/sec.

Steve

Steve--The 100 IPM will do a lot of work--you don't need to set a land speed record.
Seriously, one of the advantages of CNC is being able to do other work (such as making coffee) while the machine is running. Really don't need a lot of speed.
I made a lot of archtop parts with a Maxnc running at 10 IPM. Yes, that's a little slow.
Nelson

Nelson, you're definitely right about speed.

The only time I really want things to go faster is when I'm homing my X axis (32" travel). My current max speed for each axis is X=60ipm, Y=40ipm, Z=15ipm. For most woodworking tasks, this is plenty of speed - don't want to overwhelm the router or lose accuracy.

If I was turning out parts commercially, and had the spindle to handle it - sure, bring on the velocity.

Right now, I'm cutting MOP at 6 ipm. Definitely gives me time to work on other tasks. Or goof off.

SteveSteve Spodaryk39097.8596180556