> -----Original Message-----

> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of

> spencer@...

> Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 2:49 PM

> To: [email protected]

> Subject: Re: [MachCNC] is this possible

>

> are you the guy with the multiple axes artwork? i saved it as soon as it was

> posted and is one of my favorite images.

>

> On 5/12/2021 7:14 PM, Tony Smith wrote:

> > I'd say you've manage to find a decent feed & speed for that particular type

> of wood, so all good I guess.

> >

> > Terrible stuff wood, just so inconsistent.? Should be banned, I think I'll write

> to my local member and demand they sort it out.

> >

> > Tony

> >

> > (From what I hear you can't buy any wood in the US anyways, so job

> > done!)

> >

> >

> >> -----Original Message-----

> >> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of

> >> spencer@...

> >> Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 12:00 PM

> >> To: [email protected]

> >> Subject: Re: [MachCNC] is this possible

> >>

> >> i had "finish" cuts and got rid of them. this helped.

> >>

> >> On 5/12/2021 6:55 PM, Tony Smith wrote:

> >>> You can't really do light cuts in wood (like a 'spring cut' in

> >>> metal) because it'll

> >> splinter etc, maybe that's what was happening so the deeper cut from

> >> the higher feed rate helps with that.

> >>> You could always put the feed rate back to what it was and crank up

> >>> the

> >> cutter speed and see what it does, if only for your own amusement.

> >>> Tony

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>> -----Original Message-----

> >>>> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of

> >>>> spencer@...

> >>>> Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 5:36 AM

> >>>> To: [email protected]

> >>>> Subject: [MachCNC] is this possible

> >>>>

> >>>> I am getting really tired of making the same parts i have been

> >>>> making for 7 years. the only fun is making improvements. So I

> >>>> decided to work on my gcode and clean it up and optimize tool

> >>>> motion. gets a little scary when i get close to a fixture but i managed

> with no crashes.

> >>>>

> >>>> I was previously (last many years) using various feed speeds and

> >>>> then using feed override to get the speeds i really wanted. it has

> >>>> taken years to fine tune the speeds to deal with varying grain etc etc.

> >>>>

> >>>> BTW, running mach4 with ESS

> >>>>

> >>>> So i changed every F command to double what it was and ran the

> >> program.

> >>>> I think i notice a significant improvement in finish. Specifically

> >>>> i was getting long wood fiber threads on the top surfaces (upcutter

> >>>> but ordered a bunch of other bits to try including expensive ones by

> Vortex.

> >>>>

> >>>> This makes no sense to me but i have only cut 10 parts. Usually 5

> >>>> are OK and then one has some strange grain pattern in it and it

> >>>> comes out stringy but after doubling the speeds (still that same

> >>>> speed in the end because i use FRO of 100%) i have not had a

> >>>> stringy part and the finish

> >> elsewhere looks better?

> >>>> Am i hallucinating?

> >>>>

> >>>> Best regards, Spencer Chase

> >>>> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.

> >>>> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.

> >>>> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.

> >>>> Spencer@...

> >>>>

> >>>>

> >>>> (425) 791-0309

> >>>>

> >>>>

> >>>>

> >>>>

> >>>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >> --

> >> Best regards, Spencer Chase

> >> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.

> >> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.

> >> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.

> >> Spencer@...

> >>

> >>

> >> (425) 791-0309

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> --

> Best regards, Spencer Chase

> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.

> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.

> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.

> Spencer@...

>

>

> (425) 791-0309

>

>

>

>

?

Jogging issue is fixed and commited, The issue was we where setting the jog in but not setting the index in the array that holds the jog increments. Nice little one fixed :)


Thanks

______________________________

Brian Barker
Engineering / Devlopment
ArtSoft | Newfangled Solutions
Livermore Falls, Maine (USA)
Phone: 207(618)1449
Webpage:

On 5/14/2021 9:11 AM, Brian Barker wrote:

The issue with the limit switch is that it has no idea that you can hit the same limit switch in the opposite direction of travel. In cases like this you need to override the limit input. I will send it over to the support guys and see what they have to say. As for the incremental jogging, that has been tested by the support guys and we are going to see if we can get a fix done today for that.


We will see if that can make it into the next release!


Thanks
Brian




______________________________

Brian Barker
Engineering / Devlopment
ArtSoft | Newfangled Solutions
Livermore Falls, Maine (USA)
Phone: 207(618)1449
Webpage:

On 5/14/2021 12:52 AM, spencer@... wrote:

but will it match what is displayed when the program boots? the display shows .01" and the actual value is 1"

On 5/13/2021 4:51 PM, Andy Wander wrote:

Spencer_? You can put a line in your startup script to set the jog step increment to whatever you want it to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2021 5:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] mach4 bug and other question

First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis.
Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4.
resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

Not so if you use a double lead ball screw on the Z axis . On my 13X25 lathe I did this mod about 15 years ago and ?I left the acme lead screw in the X axis because backlash comp handle that pretty well. I direct drove both ballscrew and lead screw with 600 oz in servo motors. The z axis ballscrew backspins eaily when I manual move the carriage. Yes you do have disengage the the QC gear box. On my machine I can disengage both.

Dan mauch

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dale Grice
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 1:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] CNC lathe questions

?

So I built up a Little Machine Shops minilathe with Mach4 and PoKeys57 ala the Techshops design put together by Joe Katona and Ron Ginger.

Works pretty good for small stuff. Minlathe needs physical tweaking and greater rigidity. I have an Enco 13X40 geared head lathe as well where I am doing more single point threading all the time and needing to do some larger diameter tapered threads. The minilathe just does not have the low end torque. So I keep looking at the mini Vs. the 13x40 and thinking about ball screws retrofitted to the the 13x40.

My concerns and thoughts;
If I retrofit with ball screws, I am under the impression that I would not be able to use the lathe in the old fashioned mode. The ball screws would allow the cross slide or carriage to move too freely or run away under pressure. Make sense?

If I replace the carriage lead screw, which one? The one for turning or threading. I could just disengage the quick change gear box. But the feed rate chart would have to be recalculated.

Other thoughts or concerns? Another lathe is out of the question.

Thought about getting a small X Y table and mount to the cross slide.

Thanks,

Dale Grice

The issue with the limit switch is that it has no idea that you can hit the same limit switch in the opposite direction of travel. In cases like this you need to override the limit input. I will send it over to the support guys and see what they have to say. As for the incremental jogging, that has been tested by the support guys and we are going to see if we can get a fix done today for that.


We will see if that can make it into the next release!


Thanks
Brian




______________________________

Brian Barker
Engineering / Devlopment
ArtSoft | Newfangled Solutions
Livermore Falls, Maine (USA)
Phone: 207(618)1449
Webpage:

On 5/14/2021 12:52 AM, spencer@... wrote:

but will it match what is displayed when the program boots? the display shows .01" and the actual value is 1"

On 5/13/2021 4:51 PM, Andy Wander wrote:

Spencer_? You can put a line in your startup script to set the jog step increment to whatever you want it to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2021 5:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] mach4 bug and other question

First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis.
Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4.
resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

but will it match what is displayed when the program boots? the display shows .01" and the actual value is 1"

On 5/13/2021 4:51 PM, Andy Wander wrote:

Spencer_? You can put a line in your startup script to set the jog step increment to whatever you want it to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2021 5:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] mach4 bug and other question

First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis.
Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4.
resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

Spencer_ You can put a line in your startup script to set the jog step increment to whatever you want it to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2021 5:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] mach4 bug and other question

First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis.
Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4.
resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

I will see if we can find that tomorrow... never tried that one . I use an MPG :)

On May 13, 2021, at 5:30 PM, spencer@... wrote:

?First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis. Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4. resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

--
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

On May 13, 2021, at 5:30 PM, spencer@... wrote:

?First there is an annoying bug in mach4 that i can work around but often forget and i did break a bit because of this. I am using cheap bits but as of a few days from now I will be using very expensive bits and do not want to break them.

When you boot mach4 the step increment is shown in the jogging pane as what was previously selected. However the increment really is 1 in spite of what is shown. So when i get real close with the xbox controller and then want to make a .01" adjustment, it moves 1 inch instead which can cause it to crash. All i have to do is to remember to set the increment again but i keep forgetting.

I have shared home and limit switches for three of the four axis. Everything works normally with the exception of one switch in one direction. If i hit a limit one of two possible things happens. On the z axis if i run into a limit it backs off or at least stops trying to pass the switch. i can then back off in the opposite direction. on other axis it triggers an estop and i need to enable again before i can back off.

However on the X axis if i hit the limit in the on the left it behaves as expected. if i hit the switch on the right it triggers an estop and there is nothing i can do to move that axis without rebooting mach4. resetting the enable does not allow jogging off the switch. This is the case for just the x axis on the right. I had not noticed because i never hit the switches, i was just testing.

--
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dale Grice
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 1:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] CNC lathe questions

?

So I built up a Little Machine Shops minilathe with Mach4 and PoKeys57 ala the Techshops design put together by Joe Katona and Ron Ginger.

Works pretty good for small stuff. Minlathe needs physical tweaking and greater rigidity. I have an Enco 13X40 geared head lathe as well where I am doing more single point threading all the time and needing to do some larger diameter tapered threads. The minilathe just does not have the low end torque. So I keep looking at the mini Vs. the 13x40 and thinking about ball screws retrofitted to the the 13x40.

My concerns and thoughts;
If I retrofit with ball screws, I am under the impression that I would not be able to use the lathe in the old fashioned mode. The ball screws would allow the cross slide or carriage to move too freely or run away under pressure. Make sense?

If I replace the carriage lead screw, which one? The one for turning or threading. I could just disengage the quick change gear box. But the feed rate chart would have to be recalculated.

Other thoughts or concerns? Another lathe is out of the question.

Thought about getting a small X Y table and mount to the cross slide.

Thanks,

Dale Grice

I'd say you've manage to find a decent feed & speed for that particular type of wood, so all good I guess.

Terrible stuff wood, just so inconsistent. Should be banned, I think I'll write to my local member and demand they sort it out.

Tony

(From what I hear you can't buy any wood in the US anyways, so job done!)

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 12:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] is this possible

i had "finish" cuts and got rid of them. this helped.

On 5/12/2021 6:55 PM, Tony Smith wrote:

You can't really do light cuts in wood (like a 'spring cut' in metal) because it'll

splinter etc, maybe that's what was happening so the deeper cut from the
higher feed rate helps with that.

You could always put the feed rate back to what it was and crank up the

cutter speed and see what it does, if only for your own amusement.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 5:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] is this possible

I am getting really tired of making the same parts i have been making
for 7 years. the only fun is making improvements. So I decided to
work on my gcode and clean it up and optimize tool motion. gets a
little scary when i get close to a fixture but i managed with no crashes.

I was previously (last many years) using various feed speeds and then
using feed override to get the speeds i really wanted. it has taken
years to fine tune the speeds to deal with varying grain etc etc.

BTW, running mach4 with ESS

So i changed every F command to double what it was and ran the

program.

I think i notice a significant improvement in finish. Specifically i
was getting long wood fiber threads on the top surfaces (upcutter but
ordered a bunch of other bits to try including expensive ones by Vortex.

This makes no sense to me but i have only cut 10 parts. Usually 5 are
OK and then one has some strange grain pattern in it and it comes out
stringy but after doubling the speeds (still that same speed in the
end because i use FRO of 100%) i have not had a stringy part and the finish

elsewhere looks better?

Am i hallucinating?

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

--
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

I'd say you've manage to find a decent feed & speed for that particular type of wood, so all good I guess.

Terrible stuff wood, just so inconsistent. Should be banned, I think I'll write to my local member and demand they sort it out.

Tony

(From what I hear you can't buy any wood in the US anyways, so job done!)

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 12:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] is this possible

i had "finish" cuts and got rid of them. this helped.

On 5/12/2021 6:55 PM, Tony Smith wrote:

You can't really do light cuts in wood (like a 'spring cut' in metal) because it'll

splinter etc, maybe that's what was happening so the deeper cut from the
higher feed rate helps with that.

You could always put the feed rate back to what it was and crank up the

cutter speed and see what it does, if only for your own amusement.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 5:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] is this possible

I am getting really tired of making the same parts i have been making
for 7 years. the only fun is making improvements. So I decided to
work on my gcode and clean it up and optimize tool motion. gets a
little scary when i get close to a fixture but i managed with no crashes.

I was previously (last many years) using various feed speeds and then
using feed override to get the speeds i really wanted. it has taken
years to fine tune the speeds to deal with varying grain etc etc.

BTW, running mach4 with ESS

So i changed every F command to double what it was and ran the

program.

I think i notice a significant improvement in finish. Specifically i
was getting long wood fiber threads on the top surfaces (upcutter but
ordered a bunch of other bits to try including expensive ones by Vortex.

This makes no sense to me but i have only cut 10 parts. Usually 5 are
OK and then one has some strange grain pattern in it and it comes out
stringy but after doubling the speeds (still that same speed in the
end because i use FRO of 100%) i have not had a stringy part and the finish

elsewhere looks better?

Am i hallucinating?

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

--
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 12:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] is this possible

i had "finish" cuts and got rid of them. this helped.

On 5/12/2021 6:55 PM, Tony Smith wrote:

You can't really do light cuts in wood (like a 'spring cut' in metal) because it'll

splinter etc, maybe that's what was happening so the deeper cut from the
higher feed rate helps with that.

You could always put the feed rate back to what it was and crank up the

cutter speed and see what it does, if only for your own amusement.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: Thursday, 13 May 2021 5:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] is this possible

I am getting really tired of making the same parts i have been making
for 7 years. the only fun is making improvements. So I decided to
work on my gcode and clean it up and optimize tool motion. gets a
little scary when i get close to a fixture but i managed with no crashes.

I was previously (last many years) using various feed speeds and then
using feed override to get the speeds i really wanted. it has taken
years to fine tune the speeds to deal with varying grain etc etc.

BTW, running mach4 with ESS

So i changed every F command to double what it was and ran the

program.

I think i notice a significant improvement in finish. Specifically i
was getting long wood fiber threads on the top surfaces (upcutter but
ordered a bunch of other bits to try including expensive ones by Vortex.

This makes no sense to me but i have only cut 10 parts. Usually 5 are
OK and then one has some strange grain pattern in it and it comes out
stringy but after doubling the speeds (still that same speed in the
end because i use FRO of 100%) i have not had a stringy part and the finish

elsewhere looks better?

Am i hallucinating?

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309

--
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...


(425) 791-0309