PicDither - PicEngrave - PicLaser. - Oldal 2

Dátum/Date: Vasárnap, 2013-06-23, 06:44 | Üzenet/Post # 1

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Anything relating to - PicDither - PicEngrave - PicLaser etc.

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 01:12 | Üzenet/Post # 21

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Jerry,
I'm sorry, but because I don't know how your TTL controller is designed, or how it is setup, it is impossible for me to be sure, but I suspect that it not turning off your laser probably has more to do with your TTL controller, and not Mach3. Can you post a link to your controller? Maybe we can look it up to see. Perhaps Tweakie, Dave, or Rob will have some insight to the problem.

All the C0.000 and C-0.0001 do is change the state of the C direction pin in order to control the laser. One way should produce a 0 volt signal (Off) on the pin, and the other should produce a 5 volt signal (On) on the pin. It is possible that your controller doesn't recognize this 0 to 5 volts method of control.

You might try using the VFR mode of PEP to see if it gives you better results, assuming you can turn the power down low enough on your laser to prevent over burn. You will have to experiment with the settings so at a fast feed rate the laser doesn't burn the wood (or burns very, very lightly, and at slow speeds burns dark.

John

I paint with a blue light beam.

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 15:12 | Üzenet/Post # 22

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I don't have a clue what to do. I think I've tried it all and it still isn't right. Here are some pictures of the power supply and the documentation I received. Not much but they would not send me anything else. John I re-tried the C-0.0254 and C0.0000 to turn it on and off and it did work. It's not right but this picture is the results. Why would it see C0.0000 different when it is turned on with C-0.0002 or C-0.0254. It's still skipping, the laser is either burning hot and cold (power supply) or faster and slower (X and Y steppers) or something I haven't thought about yet. I do not know what VFR mode is but I'll be trying something right or wrong, I'll study up.
Thanks
Jerry

Hozzáadva (2013-07-16, 15:12)
---------------------------------------------
John
Stop!!! I think I found the problem You set C in motor tuning to 10000 (4 zeros) not 1000 (3 zeros) It does make a difference but I don't know why. and I might be little soon saying this.
But Thanks
Jerry
PS: Now I am going to try one of those big files.

Csatolások/Attachments: 1486360.jpg (90.4 Kb) · 1461898.jpg (8.5 Kb) · 6809672.jpg (148.3 Kb) · 3063923.jpg (129.6 Kb) · 0266254.jpg (28.9 Kb)

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by Honk - Kedd, 2013-07-16, 14:19

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 15:53 | Üzenet/Post # 23

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Jerry,
Perhaps your problem has been a Mach3 setting all along. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Still, it's curious that a C0.0000 would not turn off your laser. I will run some tests when I get time.

What Mach3 version are you using?

John

PS: VFR is variable feed rate. You set your laser to fire at a constant power level and the gcode varies the feed rate to control the burn. Look at the PDF tutorial for a screen shot of VFR settings for my laser diode, and adjust feed rates and power to suit your laser and machine. Should work with a CO2 laser.

I use Mach3 .062. Later versions are reported to have some issues.

I paint with a blue light beam.

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by picengraver - Kedd, 2013-07-16, 15:58

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:11 | Üzenet/Post # 24

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Jerry,

If you think it would be of any help to you then zip and send me a copy of the GCode you used for the butterfly image posted earlier and I will run it here and see what happens.
Looking at your work, ignoring the missing lines just for one moment, there appears to be a problem with the image linearity around the body area so there is something odd going on there.

Tweakie.

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

JJWMACHINECO

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:34 | Üzenet/Post # 25

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My setup is different, but I use Z-.0015 (on) and Z.0005 retract (off) for TTL on dithered images. I'm also using Mach3 .066 version without any issues. Did this one today on Red Oak using TTL with PEP4 Version 133.

Jeff

Csatolások/Attachments: 8361651.jpg (146.7 Kb)

Extensivly Re-worked/Re-designed/Modified Servo K2CNC KG-3925 and the Mini Laser Engraver

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by JJWMACHINECO - Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:40

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:53 | Üzenet/Post # 26

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Nicely done, Jeff, very nicely done.

What is the final size, please?

Jerry, Please post or point to the original butterfly image as well. I'll try it with my diode.

John

I paint with a blue light beam.

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by picengraver - Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:53

JJWMACHINECO

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 17:58 | Üzenet/Post # 27

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Thanks John,

The size is 7.25" X 5.25". The widest 1/4" Red Oak I could find at Lowe's was 5.5" wide. I had to TTL because it is hard to burn, about like Poplar.

Jeff

Extensivly Re-worked/Re-designed/Modified Servo K2CNC KG-3925 and the Mini Laser Engraver

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 18:11 | Üzenet/Post # 28

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Thanks Jeff, I will have to try some oak myself.

I finally found a nagging problem with my new machine. I was getting small unburned streaks throughout an image with no apparent pattern to them. Turned out to be smoke interference. I thought that my diode cooling fan was strong enough to dissipate the smoke, but adding a 1.5 inch fan has fixed the problem with minimal weight addition to the diode carriage.
John

I paint with a blue light beam.

JJWMACHINECO

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 21:16 | Üzenet/Post # 29

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And another on Red Oak using TTL.

Jeff

Csatolások/Attachments: 3612638.jpg (146.8 Kb)

Extensivly Re-worked/Re-designed/Modified Servo K2CNC KG-3925 and the Mini Laser Engraver

Amatőr

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 21:42 | Üzenet/Post # 30

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Idézet (JJWMACHINECO)

And another on Red Oak using TTL.

Jeff, that is nice! I think it depends a lot on what picture is choosed. Some looks good, like this, and some not so much.

H1i.hu

Dátum/Date: Kedd, 2013-07-16, 23:07 | Üzenet/Post # 31

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John
I Oopsed I sent you a file by mistake of this butterfly. Tweakie wanted it and I can't find his email. If you get it could you please forward it to Tweakie for me? Thanks.
The butterfly came out a lot better but there are still dark and light lines. The larger files 3 to 4 million lines 18 to 20 inch are still bad, there has been no change I can see. No matter what I do.
Thanks again Jerry

Csatolások/Attachments: 5525511.jpg (87.2 Kb)

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by Honk - Szerda, 2013-07-17, 01:15

Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 00:22 | Üzenet/Post # 32

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Idézet (Honk)

forward it to Tweakie for me?

Jerry, no problem. Done, with a copy to you so you can get Tweakie's email address.

I'll try it tomorrow.

John

I paint with a blue light beam.

Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 00:36 | Üzenet/Post # 33

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Jerry,
I just looked at the file, and it looks good. No lines in the gcode, so there must be a mechanical or electrical (or Mach3 setting) problem still with your setup. I will stll run it tomorrow as a double check.
John

Csatolások/Attachments: 6128984.jpg (133.9 Kb)

I paint with a blue light beam.

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by picengraver - Szerda, 2013-07-17, 00:37

Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 09:05 | Üzenet/Post # 34

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Jerry,

It came out a little too dark (probably because I had to reduce the feed-rate slightly after noticing the rounded corners [caused by constant velocity blending] on the rectangle).

There is no problem with your PicEngrave generated GCode.

I think you need to establish the exact reason for the body area distortion produced in your earlier example http://hobbycncart.com/_fr/2/1486360.jpg as this may provide a clue to solving the issue you are experiencing.

(It is possible that your machine could be loosing steps or even producing unwanted steps as a result of electrical noise etc. - the problem could also be related to your PC and it’s ability, or not, to run Mach3 correctly).

Tweakie.

Csatolások/Attachments: 2012713.jpg (101.3 Kb)

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Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 14:48 | Üzenet/Post # 35

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Thanks to all for all your help
I plan to remove the top and start from scratch and re-adjust every thing I have direct control over. IE: motor tuning , mirror adjust, focal height ECT. I still suspect that the PSU has a fluctuating voltage or amperage issue but there are a real lot of things that could be bad before I throw out the Power supply. I also have another computer I can put Mach3 on to try and see if there might be a difference. But the problem of noise I will have to just guess until something fixes it's self.
I think if this wasn't so much fun there is a good chance I would retire from this too.
Thanks Jerry

Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 16:24 | Üzenet/Post # 36

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Jerry,
Before you do that, please try the butterfly in a vertical mode rather than the horizontal mode to see if the lines are still there, and they are vertical. If you still get the same lines, only vertical, it might indicate your issue is noise/power supply and not mechanical.
John

Hozzáadva (2013-07-17, 16:24)
---------------------------------------------
Jerry,
I don't remember seeing this discussed, but what are your stepper motor tuning values in Mach3?
John

I paint with a blue light beam.

Dátum/Date: Szerda, 2013-07-17, 23:25 | Üzenet/Post # 37

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John
I'm pretty sure you would like it if you never see this butterfly again. Hopefully this is the last time. It is about 250% better. just a little dark but I think I can adjust that. I like what I see but I don't know what to fix because there is still something wrong horizontally speaking. (I'm not sure how to talk horizontally but it fits). My Mach3 version is R3.043.066, my motor drivers are set at 2000 steps per revolution. Mach3 Steps per in X are 1597.227036 and in Y are 1994.805195
Thanks Jerry

Csatolások/Attachments: 0185296.jpg (124.1 Kb)

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by Honk - Szerda, 2013-07-17, 23:26

Dátum/Date: Csütörtök, 2013-07-18, 00:09 | Üzenet/Post # 38

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Lots better Jerry. Looks like you're getting dialed in. Did you find a specific problem to explain the lines?

I do not think your line problem is caused by electrical noise. The lines are simply too straight. Electrical noise should present differently I think.

Horizontal lines, however, could be mechanically induced, and would possibly be associated with an issue in the Y axis, not the X axis. Looking at videos of your machine build, I am curious if you are using one stepper or two for the Y axis, or one stepper and two timing belts. I assume just one. My thinking is that perhaps there may be a mechanical bind that is preventing smooth movement of the Y axis, and possibly that belt stretch, or low belt tension, is allowing some erratic movement hesitation. Try burning the same butterfly again, but at both extremes of the X axis. This might help show if the carriage is racking along the Y axis.

Sorry I wasn't more clear earlier, but I wanted to know what your velocity and acceleration settings are for X, Y, and C. Playing around with these may improve things some, but are not likely the cause of your line issues.

John

I paint with a blue light beam.

Dátum/Date: Csütörtök, 2013-07-18, 01:13 | Üzenet/Post # 39

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John
I started running that large file with all the lines in the vertical and it started out skipping lines in the vertical. So I changed my velocity on X and Y to 500 and acceleration to 25 and it is out in the shop finding out right now if it is going to skip, cross your finger. The line it shipped is like it jumped a space or two as it goes from the bottom to the top and then it is okay for a bunch and did it again.
One stepper for X and one for Y but there the biggest NEMA 23 steppers I could get 428 oz.
Jerry
I just checked and it skipped again so my accel is at 10 now. I'll see in a while.
Jerry
Well that didn't work and I tried 150, 20 and no good. I'll tighten the belts and check for binding tomorrow. It does seem some better when I had the Accel. at 10 but it was so slow I had to turn down the heat on the laser. Maybe it is unfixable did you ever think of that?
Jerry

Az üzenetet módosította/Modified by Honk - Csütörtök, 2013-07-18, 03:30