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    Default Mach3

    I cant get the M3 M4 or M5 commands to work, The controller's spindle on/off is hard wired to port pin 1, and the PWM is wired to port pin 17. In the config settings/ports and pins/output signals, there are two entries one for Enable 1 and one for output #1, by changing enable 1's active low i can physically turn the spindle on and off , but the spindle cant be turned on or off through M3 or M5. M4 CCW has same settings as M3 since the milling spindle needs to spin clock wise. Does any one know how to set this up exactly.

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    Registered SoCalPlaneDoc's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    I turned away from Mach and never looked back.

    Now I'm able to focus on making stuff, instead of trying to coax the software to work.

    Automated Machinery Designer - PCNC1100 Series III upgrade, Graziano Sag 12 Lathe
    Solidworks 2016 (SW Certified), HSMWorks


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    Default Re: Mach3

    I'm beginning to drift the same way. LOl



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    Member handlewanker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Ahh, bullsh!t.........somewhere the Mach 3 settings you've done are set up wrong.....go back to the config menu and set it up again as if it's a new machine on Mach 3.......if you still get a wrong response your controller probably is faulty.

    Have you tried writing a simple G code program with those M commands.....in the correct
    format sequence.....some people write sloppy code sequences and wonder why they get problems.

    Running a simple G code program will get Mach3 to trouble shoot the point where you've made a mistake in your coding.....ask me how I know......I'm still learning from the bottom.

    If Mach 3 is a problem for you.....you are the problem.
    Ian.



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    Default Re: Mach3

    Quote Originally Posted by handlewanker View Post
    Ahh, bullsh!t.........somewhere the Mach 3 settings you've done are set up wrong.....go back to the config menu and set it up again as if it's a new machine on Mach 3.......if you still get a wrong response your controller probably is faulty.

    Have you tried writing a simple G code program with those M commands.....in the correct
    format sequence.....some people write sloppy code sequences and wonder why they get problems.

    Running a simple G code program will get Mach3 to trouble shoot the point where you've made a mistake in your coding.....ask me how I know......I'm still learning from the bottom.

    If Mach 3 is a problem for you.....you are the problem.
    Ian.
    Mach3 software came with he cnc machine as a basic package, the mach3 setup instructions booklet that came with it did not. include the probe setup even though one was supplied. nor did it have any spindle control setup because the controller had a manual on/off spindle switch and speed control, probably because a link cable was not fitted between the JP-382A axis control board and the JP 1482 spindle board, which I've now made .YES I've written a simple G-code to test it though it's not needed as you are aware you can run commands from the MDI screen in mach3. Re your last comment in your message, yes i have a problem matching Mach3 settings to the hardware i dont have enough information about the settings which is why i asked for help. PS I now have got the motor to switch on an off with the M3 and M5 commands, but now need know how to set Mach3 to control the spindle speed with M3 Sxxxx, I dont have a pulley wheel on my 48volt dc motor and no idea yet on what base frq to use.



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    Member handlewanker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Hi, if you got Mach 3 with the machine you probably have a corrupted version as that is the opinion of most here.

    I would down load from the Artsoft website the .062 version of Mach 3 as it's better than the later versions ...or so I'm told.

    ALSO........I would dedicate a computer just to run Mach 3 and nothing else, not even MS Office and especially not with an internet connection as you won't be running any anti virus software......an anti virus program could detect that your copy of Mach 3 is corrupt and do funny things ....whatever.

    The point is, if your copy of Mach 3 is bad, all programs you load will also go bad at some point......for no apparent reason..
    Ian.



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    Gold Member daniellyall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Ian don't be a dick.

    Snakips If you have a look on the Mach3 website here Newfangled Solutions » CNC Software Home of Mach3 goto here and grab the Mach3 Manual Product Manuals - Newfangled Solutions it's the first one you wont.

    Then goto the software and downloads tab in the drop down go down to downloads and updates click on Main then click on where it says FTP Downloads then click on FTP server main menu then click on mach3, you wont Mach3 version 3.043.062

    Now to see if the copy of Mach3 is a pirate version in the top Left corner what does it say beside the Mach3 symbol

    To find what connections to use on you controller have a search through here and the mach3 forum and google most people with that controller run into the same problem no manual, the info you need is out there

    Last edited by daniellyall; 06-18-2017 at 02:37 AM.
    <img src="https://ivxo1q-dm2305.files.1drv.com/y4mENMmTr_Cabc7pR0FUdB6gtbADq2JbuG4_rGy0eBQvLJx19pTi6TqMUIJN0xgOyDIc0gWoxYhS38HpbSTFGdfaK-o42IOU6jczrhDpfpCOTNGL1X6hvZCbgj0y35gqmq1YGTrWwShYGV-C7lXA2esy0Pi_WfnBSyroDLSGXwce4uSr1U7op7srdi78rispHCa_K4aFlTlJPVkkNWMfgh_Tg?width=60&height=60&cropmode=none" width="60" height="60" />

    Being Disabled is OK CNC is For fuN


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    Default Re: Mach3

    OK.....



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    Default Re: Mach3

    In the config settings/ports and pins/output signals, there are two entries one for Enable 1 and one for output #1, by changing enable 1's active low i can physically turn the spindle on and off , but the spindle cant be turned on or off through M3 or M5. M4 CCW has same settings as M3 since the milling spindle needs to spin clock wise. Does any one know how to set this up exactly.
    In ports and pins, spindle tab, do you have disable spindle relays Unchecked, and output 1 assigned to M3?

    Are you seeing the spindle on LED light up when you do an M3? It needs to.
    You need to see if the enable signal is changing state with M3/M5. I'm not sure if I've seen anyone use an enable signal with a spindle.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: Mach3

    OK guys,thanks for all the help. Updated the copy of mach3 that came with the machine, now all the menus and functions appear as they do in the manuals an tutorials. version .062.
    Probe set it's self up, along with most other functions. spindle on/off working, still have a problem getting the JP 1482 speed controller board micro to read the pin with the external filtered PWM signal, i know the signal is there and can read the dc voltage on the pin, and scoped the pwm in.

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mach3-cimg3603-jpg   Mach3-cimg3600-jpg  
    Last edited by Snakips; 06-19-2017 at 05:22 PM. Reason: add pic


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    Member handlewanker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Hi....good work.....we didn't actually find out what machine you are using.....just for curiosity.
    Ian.



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    Default Re: Mach3

    Hi Ian, The machine is a ChinaCNC 3040, with a Z-DQ 4 axis controller, though the machine is not fitted with the 4th axis. There is a history with the JP 1438 speed control board which CinaCNC use in there controllers, they are supplied without the link lead between the JP382 board and the JP 1438, so software control is not possible, not sure if the missing lead is deliberate due to a design or software fault in the speed control board., there is a manual spindle on/off switch which switches the software opto's input. the STC micro under the board has the speed control 5K pot on pin 15, which is a ADC pin, The ext PWM is feed thro a low pass filter to pin 16 which is also a ADC pin, there is no other signal going to it to indicate software control or hardware control. so I'm guessing it needs to read the voltage on those two pins to enable one or the other to control the spindle speed. From my point of view it seems a bit daft to have an external PWM in filter it down to DC only to regenerate it for the FET driver stage. simple solution would be to use a 5v change over relay switched on by the software spindle on/off opto and connect the common pin to the Fet driver stage, with the normally closed pin to the micro output, and the normally open to the external PWM i/p. the when software switches the spindle on it automatically connects the PWM signal direct to the Driver stage.Mach3-macine-bed-jpg



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    Default Re: Mach3

    Forgot to add, you would need to change the the manual spindle switch to a double pole, so it separates the software or manual control. The Base frequency of the STC micros PWM output is 1288hz, measured it with a frq counter on the output opto, so pep's can set Mach3 or what ever if they need to match it.



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    Member handlewanker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Hi....so, for cheapness the PWM controls the RPM manually?.....switch it on and turn the pot to get the speed you need?

    That is probably as simple as you would want with the 3040

    Who needs to vary the speed on the run in the middle of a program when you're dong a job from beginning to end with one cutter, and without a tool changer, and only needing to go up or down on the RPM at the beginning of the work for the cutter mounted.

    PWM circuits come on small matchbox sized boards to control DC motors and have manual rheostats to control the output to the motor.....sold on EBAY etc for various purposes.....dimmer switches do the same but will work for AC motors at mains voltage levels too.

    If the output was electronically controlled instead of manually by varying the resistance you would be able to apply a variable voltage to achieve the RPM variation.

    The control pot is just a centre tapped variable resistance, so possible that resistance can be varied electronically to the circuitry you have instead of the manual pot......just thinking.......I'm sure there are circuits around that will apply an output to a DC motor electronically instead of manually.
    Ian.



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    Gold Member daniellyall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Snakips what motor does it have you options are huge

    <img src="https://ivxo1q-dm2305.files.1drv.com/y4mENMmTr_Cabc7pR0FUdB6gtbADq2JbuG4_rGy0eBQvLJx19pTi6TqMUIJN0xgOyDIc0gWoxYhS38HpbSTFGdfaK-o42IOU6jczrhDpfpCOTNGL1X6hvZCbgj0y35gqmq1YGTrWwShYGV-C7lXA2esy0Pi_WfnBSyroDLSGXwce4uSr1U7op7srdi78rispHCa_K4aFlTlJPVkkNWMfgh_Tg?width=60&height=60&cropmode=none" width="60" height="60" />

    Being Disabled is OK CNC is For fuN


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    Default Re: Mach3

    The motor is a 48 volt 400 watt 12,000 rpm, I use the machine a lot to make RC model parts out of plastics wood an Ali Brass, also circuit boards for the electronics. I'm building a library on the computer of g code programs so i can easily reproduce any part should i need one, hence the need for speed control in the g code, the pix are motor mounts for an rc truck, and a FET switch with a light or heat sensitive sensor.

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mach3-cimg3503-jpg   Mach3-cimg3499-jpg   Mach3-cimg2609-jpg   Mach3-new-mount2-jpg  

    Last edited by Snakips; 06-21-2017 at 05:26 AM. Reason: add pixs


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    Default Re: Mach3

    It would make life a lot easier if you just chucked the controller out and get something like a G540.

    You should be able to control the spindle speed with a output I know the G540 can and the other boards I have used do have this, if I rember correctly you need a rpm sensor to get back what speed the spindle is spinning at a disk with a dent in it works or a optical sensor something like that connected to a input, you can get it within a 100 to 200 rpm.

    There is a lot of examples of what you can do the diy way.

    <img src="https://ivxo1q-dm2305.files.1drv.com/y4mENMmTr_Cabc7pR0FUdB6gtbADq2JbuG4_rGy0eBQvLJx19pTi6TqMUIJN0xgOyDIc0gWoxYhS38HpbSTFGdfaK-o42IOU6jczrhDpfpCOTNGL1X6hvZCbgj0y35gqmq1YGTrWwShYGV-C7lXA2esy0Pi_WfnBSyroDLSGXwce4uSr1U7op7srdi78rispHCa_K4aFlTlJPVkkNWMfgh_Tg?width=60&height=60&cropmode=none" width="60" height="60" />

    Being Disabled is OK CNC is For fuN


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    Default Re: Mach3

    I'll check out that G540, i'm now thinking of removing the spindle control to another separate controller with a single axis for Z, it's own power supply to match the spindle motor better and run it on LPT 2, i can then use the 4 axis in the Z DQ controller on LPT 1 and the control lines pins 1 and 17 (which were the spindle lines) for a 5th axis, That would give me 6 axis to play with, get the hardware as an when bolt on's. handy for making turbine blades,



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    Member handlewanker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mach3

    Hi, if you just want to enable the current set-up to work with Mach 3, browse EBAY for some info, they are selling motor kits with ER11 mounted chucks and state that they can be run controlled by Mach 3......the pot manual speed control is removed to enable Mach 3 to work.

    There's a couple of motor kits for sale, brushed and brushless, 400 to 600 Watts with the speed controller, and some with full ER11 collet sets too, prices range in Oz $ from $125 to $250 post free.

    As your machine is a 3040 I think it has the same motor as the EBAY 400 Watt ones I mentioned. so should be able to work with Mach 3.

    BTW, the parts you've made with the 3040 look pretty professional.....I didn't think these router models were capable of such good quality.....and on SBR type rails with Acme screws.

    Most write ups say that they will handle wood and plastics at the best and maybe some aluminium too.....what are the dimension holding qualities like?
    Ian.



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    Default Re: Mach3

    Quote Originally Posted by handlewanker View Post
    Hi, if you just want to enable the current set-up to work with Mach 3, browse EBAY for some info, they are selling motor kits with ER11 mounted chucks and state that they can be run controlled by Mach 3......the pot manual speed control is removed to enable Mach 3 to work.

    There's a couple of motor kits for sale, brushed and brushless, 400 to 600 Watts with the speed controller, and some with full ER11 collet sets too, prices range in Oz $ from $125 to $250 post free.

    As your machine is a 3040 I think it has the same motor as the EBAY 400 Watt ones I mentioned. so should be able to work with Mach 3.

    BTW, the parts you've made with the 3040 look pretty professional.....I didn't think these router models were capable of such good quality.....and on SBR type rails with Acme screws.

    Most write ups say that they will handle wood and plastics at the best and maybe some aluminium too.....what are the dimension holding qualities like?
    Ian.
    Yes the motor is the same as those 400 watt ones on fleabay, i up graded it from the original 200/300 8000 rpm one, the 400w will run up to 12000 rpm but not with the power supply in the Z-DQ controller, it's peak voltage off load is about 39 vols when the spindle starts cutting the loading pulls it down. so i need a 400/ 500 48volt smps, there's plenty of cheap 24 volt ones The Ali motor mounts are 8mm thick, bearings are recessed 5mm, it was one of the first things i made. Massive learning curve for me, the 3040 will do it but you need to use the right end mill bit 2 flute ones are the best, get the feed rate and depth of cut just right, so the bit doesn't bend or snap (or snap the spindle motor) think i used F10 @ depth 0.1mm at max rpm. I drew it up on a electronics cad system which had x,y cords displayed in the corner, which i the used to write the g-code allowing 1.5mm for the tool path ( 3mm end mill bit) wrote the code using windows note pad an saved as *.tap. made the first one out of plywood to make sure i got the code right and all the parts fit where they should, I F**ked up a few times but i learned from the mistakes before cutting Ali. Accuracy was a tiny bit out (elliptical)on the bearing pockets, in ply it made no difference snug fit, but the ali needed one final cut at the same diameter but with the start an end arc points shifted 90 deg. But the 3040 will mill thro 8mm Ali it just takes tweeking the feed rate an spindle speed plus plenty of time, which being retired I've got plenty of.


    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mach3-cimg2535-jpg   Mach3-cimg2539-jpg   Mach3-ci2574-jpg   Mach3-cut-jpg  



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