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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    3

    Zeroing Issues In Mach 3

    I bought a used CNC mill (Franklinton) and I'm using Mach 3 in Win XP to cut holes in plastic cases. I have a jig allowing me to cut 3 cases at a time. I have much to learn.

    After some adventures with the wobbler, I have the cutting tool zeroed, and it is cutting holes in the right places. But after a short time, Mach 3 (and XP) lock up, and I have to do a hard reboot. The locking up is a separate issue - I see lots of people have that problem with Mach 3.

    My question is - when Mach 3 locks up -- I take note of where the X, Y and Z are. Example from the last lockup:
    X is +3.8003
    Y is -.5068
    Z is - .0754

    After rebooting the PC - is there a way to "re-enter" those coordinates in Mach 3, then click "Go To Zero" and have it go back to my zero point -- saving me from further fun with the wobbler?

    Since I'm not very good with the wobbler -- I can never get the tool zeroed at precisely the same point as pre-lockup. The result - I ruin another plastic case, at $4 each.

    Once I have the tool zeroed properly -- how can I return it to zero when Mach 3 locks up? Thanks for any help!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Zeroing Issues In Mach 3

    I would figure out why Mach3 "locks up", and fix it. It never has for me, and doesn't for most people.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

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

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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    3

    Re: Zeroing Issues In Mach 3

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    I would figure out why Mach3 "locks up", and fix it. It never has for me, and doesn't for most people.
    I haven't been able to determine why Mach 3 locks up. There is nothing on the PC but XP and Mach 3. I ran the PC for days without Mach 3 running, with no issue - so I assume it's not a PC hardware issue, and it's not a Windows issue. I have searched extensively for solutions. All I found is a suggestion that possibly power fluctuations might cause the locking up. So I am running the PC on a different outlet from the CNC mill. That cut the lockups by perhaps 20%.

    So - I assume there is some issue with Mach 3 (A search shows a huge number of people have the same locking up issue I do). Which leaves me to deal with the problem in another way:

    How can I enter the last coordinates that are listed when Mach 3 locked up - and zero the tool based on those coordinates? Thanks for any help!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Zeroing Issues In Mach 3

    After you zero the X, Y abd Z axis, go to the offsets page and save the offsets.
    Then, when you restart Mach3, just home the axis and you should be good to go.
    Provided you have accurate home switches.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

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

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    3

    Re: Zeroing Issues In Mach 3

    Thank you for the information. I don't know how to do that, but now I know what to look for in the docs. I appreciate your help.

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