Mach2

[nc_machine09z]

Hi, cnc community, I have this problem with soft Mach2, I built my 3 axis machine, the problem is that I can't configure Mach2 to do any work, (carve, mill or what ever bigger than 1 inch, if I import a file from artcam with some dimentions like a simple box 4 inches by 6 inches, mach2 software makes it only one inch big, or less,It can't make it a box 4x6, nothing bigger than 1 inch square, my table is x=10", y=20", and z= 5 inches, how can I make something bigger than 1 inch scale.

I'm very frustrated, sometimes I want to rip apart my machine, any help will be very appreciated.


Thanks.

[Pandinus]

Mach2 or Mach3????

How many lines in your Gcode file... are you hitting the trial limit???

Are you cutting in millimeters instead of inches? I think it defaults to mm....
20mm is just under an inch....plus your cutter width...

[nc_machine09z]

I am using Mach2 demo version,using inches instead of mm's, using the roadrunner code, the workplace of mach2 is 1 inch square, that's it, i'm importing files from Artcam, for example a rectangular 5 inches by 7 inches, in mach 2, only makes a rectangular of less than 1 inch, how can I tell mach 2 to make it the way i want it, if I use Mach3 I cant get my motors to work because i try to reset the red button but it doesnt reset, I I dont know how to set my motors set up to work with that version, I think they shoul work but I dont know how, sorry but I new to this stuff, but I am willing to learn.

thanks.

[MyCattMaxx]

On Mach3 you may need to change your estop setting to active low input most likely.
Top near left Config, Ports and Pins, Input Signals and scroll down the screen and change it.

[jalessi]

The motor tuning "Steps Per" most likely is not correct.

What tpi are your your leadscrews?

What micro stepping are your stepper drivers set to?

Are the stepper motors 1.8 degree?

Are the leadscrews being directly driven?

Jeff...

[ger21]

Your problem is most likely the code from ArtCAM. Post your code for a simple square so we can tell you where the problem is.

[Pandinus]

Have you set your table up in homing and limits??? is soft limits enabled??
Is Scaling enabled by the DROs

Roadrunner,tap is to many lines for the demo
Is there a G21 in your file.. G21 cuts mm and g20 cuts inches....
If you go into MDI and you type

G1 X1

how far does it go..

G1 X2

???



Is your motor steps per unit set correctly for your machine in motor tuning
I.E. 200 steps per rotation * 2 half steps * 8 threads per inch / 2 (two start threads)
* 10 tooth motor pulley / 25 tooth drive pulley
the above would be 640 steps per inch...
I.E 2) motor connected to 1/4" ready-rod no micro-stepping.... 200 steps per turn * 20 turns per inch = 4000 steps per inch...

[nc_machine09z]

What I know is here the tpi of my screws are 4000, .050 pitch screws, 1/4 diameter screws, directly driven by the motors, no gears, my motors are 1.8 degrees/step, 200 steps, Im running half step mode, importing ArtCAM files, tap ext. , code is automatic generated by software, I dont know to to g-code I will try to use one of your teachings to make this work, everything is apreciated. thanks guys

[jalessi]

The steps per should be set to 8000 based on the information you posted.

Jeff...

[nc_machine09z]

when I write in MDI G1 X2 the machine don't move at all, I changed the tp1 to 8000, put the roadrunner file, it seems that it's doing the right job, I mean by saying that it is working by the right scale, if is 3 inches big, it makes it 3 inches long, but now the motors get stuck when I'm using the keyboard, they move but get stuck, I have touch the arrows fast to move them, they dont move if i keep pressing the button, I haven't set my home limit switches or my limit switches, thanks

[Pandinus]

Your velocity and acceleration values not set properly in motor tuning

[Pandinus]

Select an axis.. start them low... press up and down and move the sliders a little to move them up.. don't expect high speeds with 20 TPI rod... acceleration should be OK but you loose stepper torque at high speeds... I could only get 6IPM out of my first little router with 1/4 rod, laserjet steppers and a DIY unipolar half-stepper (ALLEGRO 5804B and TIP122s.)