My early experiences with my K2 prototype made me think I had a stepper stalling issue, when in fact I had a crappy parallel port on my computer issue.
Type: Posts; User: cgallery
My early experiences with my K2 prototype made me think I had a stepper stalling issue, when in fact I had a crappy parallel port on my computer issue.
Just wanted to report back that on my actual machine's copy of Mach3, my "steps per" for Y was 16000 (when I said 2000, I was looking at a copy of Mach3 I keep on my working PC so I can refer to it...
So I dug-out the test pieces I used for checking for square. Just square blocks of plywood. They are square, but they aren't squares. The largest is about .01" shorter in the Y dimension.
So I...
I'll bet your deflection suspicion is the culprit. I believe that that Y axis is the most flexible on my machine. I was hoping a reversed final pass was the answer but I may not be so lucky.
I...
I can do that.
I also occurs to me I have some test squares I cut to check for square, but I never measured if X and Y were equal.
Are acme screws ever off by .01" over 9"? I guess that would...
I have a small K2 CNC desktop machine I use very occasionally.
I use Mach3 to drive a Xylotex driver, I create my files w/ Cut2D these days. I'm using a USB stepper into the parallel port of the...
I'm looking to build a CNC router in maybe the 2x4 size. I don't need extreme precision, I'll only be milling simple wood shapes in sheet goods.
I saw a pic of a unit that looks like it keeps...
You could use my binder-clip hold down:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/work-fixtures-hold-down-solutions/238500-cnc.html
If you aren't going all the way through, though, it would be sub-optimum...
I figured it out. I had to ad another circle inside and allow for at least enough room for the bit, select both shapes and then do the pocket.
Pretty neat software for a guy coming from LazyCam.
Hi.
I'm new to Cut2D and just learning.
My test is a .5" thick workpiece. I'd like to cut (profile) a hole all the way through, and pocket (to .125" depth) a recess around the hole.
When I...
I'm already running pretty slow.
Any tips on measuring my deviation? I think I need to cut a series of circles and squares to get a handle on this.
I have a prototype K2 CNC desktop machine. I'm driving it with Mach3.
When I cut a 4" circle, it may come out .02" (or so) over or undersized. My bits are spot-on, I problem is machine rigidity....
Thanks Gerry.
I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for someone even more inexperienced than I to get it working.
It seems to work fine as-is.
Thanks for the help.
I figured out a way to make it sorta work the way I intended.
Here is the page if anyone is interested:
J. Phil Thien's LazyCam Z-Optimizer
Any ideas on this?
Bump.
I have a macro I've written and I'd like it to run when a file is loaded into Mach3.
Is that possible?
If yes, any tips on how to get Mach3 to run the macro when a file is loaded? Like, what...
Seeing as this thread was revived, I'll note that this method has worked very well and I've even found 12" square pieces of cardboard at Amazon which I can use as a spoil or backer. It isn't for...
Ok thank you gentlemen. I will post pics of the machine when I decipher where the error lies. I haven't delved into it that much yet, just figured any software adjustments should be considered, too.
My CNC router is a little desktop unit from K2. It was a prototype.
The parts I'm cutting deviate from square a bit x/y. It isn't a huge amount and I have looked at the machine to see if I can...
Yeah the hole is actually shifted down on the second part, by .13". Almost maybe half the D of the bit (.25")?
Tonight I'm going to try to figure out how to square the machine up. Maybe I can...
I've run into this problem before. I'm pretty sure it boils down to things I'm doing incorrectly, or have something configured incorrectly somewhere.
I recently cut two little baffles for small...
The climb cutting thing is pretty interesting to me. I've been an amateur woodworker for quite a while and am accustomed to referring to a climb cutting only when working at the edge of material.
...
Yeah, I know if my machine were more rigid, this would be less of an issue.
I guess I will switch-off the climb cutting and take some more measurements.
BUT, when would I want to climb cut? ...
Hi.
I have a small K2 prototype. I'm using Mach3 and a licensed copy of LazyCam (call me crazy, it is okay for my needs).
My "spindle" is a Bosch Colt.
I'm using a USB motion controller...
It is somewhat based on cost, somewhat based on familiarity with LazyCam and the way I work, but yes it is mostly based on cost. I would like offsetting and pocketing and I have half the money in my...
I've created a webpage for my LazyCam Z-Optimizer here:
https://www.jpthien.com/lczo.htm
It would help if you could post a sample DXF file so I could try it.
But in the meantime consider going into Setup/Loading Options and checking the value you have in "Connection Line Tol. used in...
Hi. I have written a little command-line utility that removes the redundant up/down Z motion for which LazyCam is somewhat famous. This can greatly reduce runtime.
LCZO basically "reads" through...
You have to subtract your bit size form the hole you draw, if you're using the free version of LazyCam that came with your Mach3. Only the Pro version of LazyCam can automatically offset to...
It seems to work okay for me, too.
Although I think they should offer full versions of LazyCam to owners of Mach3, or at least charge less than $75. I'd like to have access to pocketing and...