Tiddy CNC.

[TonyD]

Thanks Eddy, I did change the post processor and reset Cambam to start from scratch. I think its the stock to cut relative to the Z that had me confused.

I created two tests. For the first I created a simple shape in Cambam than had a depth of 5mm relative to 0 and marked the Z axis depth on a post-it note. I stopped the program when it was at depth and although I didnt measure it accurately I'm OK that it ran a clearance height plus Z and ended up around -5. The camera work on the first video is pretty awful, makes you realise that those who do youtube videos well put some work into it :) should be at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngDW4964BR4

For the second test I tried manually adjusting the Z and ran the program, It using a hacked Biro and the ink tube slips a little as well as bing not the smoothest line. I found that around 1.05 into the video the pen caught for a few secs, I think its down to replacing the cut down biro with a felt tip now. This video is still not great but has the virtue that I'm not really trying to do too many close-ups. http://youtu.be/iah4JGcsFbI

For those on thier journey to making a machine, I can say it is very satifying when it starts to move and it does kind of sing a bit during arcs. More videos and stuff in a few weeks when I get another chance to play.

[TonyD]

And for my next problem.. :)
I'm getting comforatble jogging the machine around now, I'm about to use it to drill some holes through the MDF bed and into the Steel base structure prior to tapping the steel and using a Forstner bit on the MDF to counterbore it so I can firmly fix the bed prior to checking the gantry for good geometry, surfacing etc and.. I cant seem to get the VFD (& Spindle) running and have Mach communicate with the PLCM control board. Interesting enough I did have issues a few weeks ago where I would lose comms to the control cabinet whenever I closed the control box, which was most weird and I bypassed the problem by removing the USB chassis mount and just running the USB cable direct from the PC to the control board through a hole in the box. This all leads me to suspect earthing as a culrpit? Any ideas how I would trace the issue, sorry its a bit vauge, I can post pictures and update the electrical schematic if that would help. Any advice, as always, much appreciated. Thanks.

[JAZZCNC]

Ok well first why are you using USB when the PLCM is capable of using Ethernet.? Ethernet is much much better at handling noise than USB.
Need some idea or pics of how you have wiring/earths etc because you shouldn't be having PC earth interfering with Control box earth and vise versa. You haven't earhed the PC to control box earth have you.? PC should just use the Earth in the Plug and no external earth to control or machine frame.
Also have you got a Earth from machine frame to Control Star earth.? If not then do so.

Can you post your Mach3 XML file (Zip it up) it will be in mach3 folder using same name as the profile your loading from Mach3 loader.

What VFD is it and does it work normally Ie: ~using buttons on front.?
What settings have you changed in the VFD and what did you enter.?
What inputs on the VFD are you connecting to.?

[EddyCurrent]

And for my next problem.. :)I can post pictures and update the electrical schematic if that would help.

That's the best idea, also I don't know why you suspect earthing as the problem, I would be thinking it was the chassis mounted USB connector from your description, or that the closed door was exerting undue pressure on the cable thus twisting it somehow in the socket.

[JAZZCNC]

also I don't know why you suspect earthing as the problem

Because it's a common hack with USB that is easily affected by noise. The USB SS suffered from it and Tony's probably read something around these lines.? Just guesssing on that thou.!

[EddyCurrent]

Because it's a common hack with USB that is easily affected by noise. The USB SS suffered from it and Tony's probably read something around these lines.? Just guesssing on that thou.!

Well I was just going off this comment, I've had this problem in the past when cables are routed to the front panel so that when they are moved upon closing the door they affect other components they touch.

. . . I did have issues a few weeks ago where I would lose comms to the control cabinet whenever I closed the control box,

[TonyD]

Thanks Chaps, I'll do some documentation tonight. I may have muddied the waters a little, the first issue was the closing door, it was weird and I couldnt see anything, so I removed the chassis connector and it was resolved, I'll post pictures to describe that one better. The second issue (possibly realted) seems to be just when the VFD spins up the spindle as I can have the VFD on spindle stationary and the comms stay up. The VFD is the standard Huanyang variant from China, nothing changed from default, it does make some noise on start-up, the water cooling is active but I guess as its indoors and I'm usually tinkering in the early hours, luckily our neighbour is on holiday :) The reason I'm on USB is the board doesent have the Ethernet module on it, I'll try to source one shortly. It does feel noise/interference currently but frankly the control box was very prototypish anyway with lots of connectors across different faces of the box and the door used becuase I ran out of space, I was planning to move to a larger box and possibly mount the vfd in there also. Anyway, thanks for the ideas, I'll document where I am, look at the ethernet module and see about a bigger box shortly. Three quick questions though..

1). Do folks power the VFD, PSU's and all other CNC stuff (not including PC) from just one 13A wall plug, I'm using the VFD on its own plug right now.
2). For the ethernet SS, do I need to add a router or switch between the SS and PC or will a cross-over cable generally do between them?
3). I would really like to mount the control box on the frame, I've read comments about vibration etc, is it really a bad idea or do some folks find it works ok, it would make my cabling neater and the whole machine would be more compact.

Cheers. Tony.

[Clive S]

If you have mounted some parts on the door have you in fact grounded the door to the box, or are you just relying on the hinges for the ground? ..Clive

[EddyCurrent]

1). Do folks power the VFD, PSU's and all other CNC stuff (not including PC) from just one 13A wall plug, I'm using the VFD on its own plug right now.
2). For the ethernet SS, do I need to add a router or switch between the SS and PC or will a cross-over cable generally do between them?
3). I would really like to mount the control box on the frame, I've read comments about vibration etc, is it really a bad idea or do some folks find it works ok, it would make my cabling neater and the whole machine would be more compact.

Cheers. Tony.

1. Mine is hard wired to the consumer unit using armoured cable.
2. The ESS connects directly to the PC with a standard ethernet cable.
3. Mine is wall mounted but maybe you could mount it to the frame using rubber engine mountings.