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Thanks Al, and mactec,

I missed the part that it was a high speed spindle.... It makes sense now.

mactec,

Are you sure you mean 120 hz? Isn't the frequency of the line (in the US) 60 hz? So you are saying to set it twice the line frequency?

Thanks for clearing this up. I had suspected it may be the case. However I am not one of the users that have had any issues with MACH3 so I am assuming that I will be okay. If I do run into any...

datac,

This is good information about FlashCut. My first impression (from what I saw - I didn't actually try anything) was not positive. Years ago, I was at a trade show and their booth was...

Good info Lee.

I am assuming you mean 3.043.057 since there is no 3.043.067.
3.043.066 is the highest it goes on the FTP site.

Please share with us which version you ended up with....

Also, did you use any particular testing protocol to determine which was best?

Keep in mind, the VAST majority of MACH3 users have zero "stability" problems. So it is VERY likely that you only know it MAY be unstable for you because only a small percentage of people have (and...

The first thing to understand is that the picture that you call "others" is a Bridgeport Series I machine, while the other machines are Bridgeport Series II machines. You are comparing apples to...

It was never my intention to have this discussion become "my dog is better than your dog". I am only trying to put things in the proper perspective.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both...

THANK YOU fomaz.

This is far more useful information. I have no experience with MAC3 turn, so your comments are great to know.

Your problems with SmoothStepper are consistent with other reports...

I get tired of this MACH3 bashing! What EXACTLY does it mean that it's too buggy? What EXACTLY does it mean that it is more"stable"?

Everybody wants to rag on MACH3 but nobody (except maybe a few...

I suspect that most of the complaints about MACH3 are hearsay. Yes, I know people that have wrestled with MACH3, but I have had almost no problems. I tried EMC2 and wasted two weeks trying to get it...

Thanks Gerry! Just what I need!

I think I remember a page on the ArtSoft website where older versions were archived and available for download. I can't find it now. Does anyone know how to get versions different than the "lockdown"...

I know what it must feel like to have a machine you designed and built, do its job flawlessly for the first time. Congratulations Ray! It's definitely a professional job. I can't wait to see a...

Preso, VERY NICE!

I have an X3 from Grizzly and plan to convert to CNC in much the same way you have. However my plan is to move the Z axis lead screw to the center of the column rather than the...

Yes, it is an indexer, but if you need 1 degree increments, you're right. I don't believe it has that resolution. As I said it's been a long time (3 decades probably) since I've used one. As I...

Ray,
You may not be familiar with that style, but it IS an indexer (and a rather nice one). The lever on the left (in the photo) is used to turn it. It's been a long time since I've used one, but...

Ray,

You can also remove the spindle of the spin indexer and indicate off the bore to cut your own reference surface that is parallel to the centerline. That way, you won't have to deal with the...

Thanks! That's good to know. I have not yet installed a VFD so I am in the process of learning all I can about them.

So is it a BAD idea to use a mechanical break to stop the spindle or is it just unnecessary? I can stop the spindle VERY quickly with Bridgeport's mechanical break. I have a hard time believing that...

ZETA drives are stepper drives. There is an auction on eBay right now that incorrectly lists them as 'servo' drives. There are two available from ds_machine for $120 ea.


You can tell by the...

:eek:

I have a dozen ZETA 4 drives on the shelf and so I used them. Since they are 4 amp drivers, I modified them with new (modern) MOSFETs and changed the current feedback resistors to get more...

Yeah, I kinda got that impression from some of our previous correspondence.... :(


I'm doing fine. :) I've been lurking, watching the progress of your tool changer project - it's looking good!...

I have a Bridgeport BOSS 3 CNC that I retrofitted. I have been using MACH3 for years and have been very happy with it. There have been a few times that funny things have happened that didn't make...

The "counter" is more like a dial on a manual machine. Here is a photo of mine - looking up from beside the mill table.

237362

This is not a good sign. The rotor may be rubbing on the stator or there is 'crap in the gap' between the rotor and stator. I used to work at Compumotor and hand built many motors in a development...

A buddy of mine has a Bridgeport EZ-Trak that uses a DOS based PC. The motherboard is mounted in the enclosure as mentioned....

This is a generic response and doesn't take into account that you are using the old motors. You will NOT notice ANY difference in smoothness unless you change motors too. And yes, they are both...

They are both chopper drives. The difference is likely the 'front' end rather than the power section. I would use the older (less expensive) drivers, I doubt you'll ever notice the difference. I am...