KX1 CNC Mill Clearance Offer

So am I being a numpty and missing something obvious.

Bought a recon XP Dell, loaded the included Mach3 disc and all seem to go well, rebooted when suggested and the test went through fine. I'm assuming the demo disc will allow me to run so long as below 500 lines. Can't register on Small CNC Support and have not signed up for anything on Mach3 site.

Plugged into mill (USB on this machine) selected KV-3 5000 and Mack3 seems to come up as it should, clicked the reset and then thought I would see if things moved so hit tab to bring up the job panel. If i click the jog buttons the DROs move on the screen but nothing on the machine, if I hit the e-stop on the machine it does not do anything to the screen.

If I load the code for the Sieg logo and start then it all runs on the screen but no movement on machine.

Any ideas?

Have you loaded the Mach3 plugin for the usb controller?

No

Manual seems to be for the parallel port. Will have a look to see if the plugin was one of the files on the supplied disc in the morning.

Thanks, J

Hi Jason, just a bit of info for you. Not sure why your machine won't move but if it helps my KX1 came supplied with a combined Mach3 and Sieg set up disc from Arc Euro who also supplied me with a separate emailed licence file for Mach3 (they are a third party supplier of Mach3 and can issue licences) this is a little file called 'Mach1Lic.dat' . This must be inserted (by copying and pasting) into the main Mach3 file. This will unlock the full Mach3 program and remove the line limit.

The set up disc will also include the Sieg Kx1/Kx3 screen set to operate the machine, and you will also need another little file called 'Sieg_USB_ setup_1.6.0.0'. this will unlock the necessary operating system for USB connections. Again this must be copied and pasted into the Main program. This file could be downloaded from SmallCNCsupport but no longer! You'll know if it is the right screen set by looking at the bottom right of the screen it should say KX1 USB or KX3 USB. If you can't get hold of this file I can send it to you.

Hope this helps

Ian

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If the DROs in Mach3 are moving, then it just sounds like a comms issue between computer and mill. There must be a USB driver that needs installing or setting up.

Martin.

Thanks Ian, will have a look later as I'm out on site this morning, may sneak a look before.

Barrie, yes I did click the reset (was in my post earlier), stops the message at the side flashing but as its a on screen e-stop stays red. Also looked at e-stop and chuck guard on machine. EDIT goes green around the outside when reset.

Martin that is what I'm thinking a sit does the same things with the USB lead pulled out.

J

Edited By JasonB on 22/02/2019 08:02:01

I don't know anything really about the KX mills, but I do use Mach3, so this suggestion may or may not be useful. My breakout boards have both parallel port and USB cables, the parallel carries the important signals and the USB is just there to power the input side of the opto couplers.

Thanks John but machine only has USB input, no parallel socket

This is what I have in the corner of the screen, no mention of USB

Well it wouldn't, all the detail on interfaces etc is hidden in the config menus. You need to have the correct USB plugin for your controller loaded in the Mach 3 folders (there may be a specific subfolder for plugins, can't remember), and then you select config/plugins from one of the top menu items and select the right one, then restart, IIRC.

John my comment was to Ian who said it should say USB in the corner.

My understanding is that this is an OEM version of Mach3 not just a generic version that anyone will buy which comes with all the settings for the specific Sieg machines pre set up, it should just be a matter of selecting either KX1, KX3-3000 or KX-3 5000 from the list of three profiles that come up when Mach3 is first opened. Nothing for the user to set as that should all be done. A brief message from Ketan who is away on a jolly would seem to confirm this.

OK, but still worth checking that the USB plugin is enabled. Next to the File menu on the ribbon at the top of the screen there is the Config menu. Click on that, select Config plugins, and a table pops up with a list of installed plugins and their status. One of them should be recognisable as a usb one, check its enabled. Then I think you have to close and restart Mach 3.

That is the wrong screen Jason. It should say in the bottom right corner 'Sieg KX1 USB' or for your machine 'Sieg KX3 USB'. You need the 'Sieg_USB_setup_1.6.0.0.' file. which should be on the Mach3/Sieg set up installation disc, then go to the Mach3 loader menu and the KX3 USB should be there with all the other screens for plasma, lathes etc.

I'd post up a photo of my screen but haven't sussed out how to do it yet!

Ian

I would agree. I think that was the way John set up the original Mach versions, basically to avoid a new (to CNC) user getting embroiled in some of the finer points of Mach3 setup. I know that I found myself in deep doo-doo when I downloaded another version of Mach and I have always kept the original Seig DVD installion disk with the setup files handy. John's son Adam also did a set of screens for Mach 3 which were an improvement and I'm not sure if these are readily available today. IIRC you purchased the screens from Adam and he set them up to show your name in the profile box in the bottom right corner.

Jim.

Ian, I did send you a PM earlier.

However a big thanks must go to Ian as the machine is now moving and even in Z which was said to have a problem.

In my rush this morning I looked for the USB file in the Mach3 folder that had been installed, I should have looked on the actual disc as Ian said, click that and the two new profiles for the KX1usb and KX3 usb have been added. On startup just click your machine and no other setup to do.

As it is not in the manual, at least the one I have I'll take a couple of photos and post in detail as it may help Neil or any others buying the remaining KX1 machines.

Thanks again Ian, J

Just got your PM Jason glad to help out. I am hoping this forum can be a good source for CNC knowledge especially as the small cnc support has gone.

I've sussed out photos too! This is my screen:

Well I have cut part of the Sieg Logo, something flashes up when I load it and that may well be the 500 line limit as all I get is SI and part of the cog shape come up on the screen so will talk with ARC on Monday about licence.

Need to look at the Z closer as height was not quite right right.

Wow! it's all coming together quickly Jason! You have got as far as I did until John Stevenson very kindly came to my house and helped me set it up, free of charge too! This was when the smallcncsupport site was working and my machine was still under warranty. He also gave me the new updated screens which I really liked, but they don't work now after my blue screen of death and other PC melt downs, don't know why.

You will need the 'Mach1Lic.dat' file to unlock the full program.

Ian

I think I will stick to my manual mill. Press one button and it's on, and another and it's off. Nice and simple, not a USB in sight, no computer to mess things up. However I do admire those who can embrace all this modern technology and get it all working without a nervous breakdown. Good luck Jason.

Doug