Search found 460 matches

by rungemach
Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:51 am
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: Next Wave CNC Shark HD3 Accuracy Problems
Replies: 15
Views: 7641

Re: Next Wave CNC Shark HD3 Accuracy Problems

As a quick suggestion, can you try slowing does your cuts to 30 ipm with 10 ipm plunge speed and see if it makes a difference. That should reduce the cutting forces significantly. The Sharks have always been subject to loss of accuracy and cut quality when the cut speeds are too high, If the cuts ar...
by rungemach
Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:35 pm
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board
Replies: 13
Views: 11194

Re: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board

The coupler set screws have been an issue in the past and I do not know what the newest ones look like. The original couplers benefited from using cap screws in the coupler rather than set screws. The wrench size is bigger and allows then to be tightened without stripping the allen heads. Thread loc...
by rungemach
Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:32 am
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board
Replies: 13
Views: 11194

Re: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board

There are several issues to deal with in getting these machines to work correctly. One that has not yet been mentioned yet is speed of cut and depth of cut. Basically, it relates to how aggressively you are pushing this machine. The standard values from Vectric software are for more solid machines a...
by rungemach
Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:12 pm
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board
Replies: 13
Views: 11194

Re: Shark HD5 gantry\router not square to board

I see no one has jumped in on this, so I will take a shot at it. In general, In my opinion, the sharks are not made as precision high rigidity machine tools. They come to you needing some alignment, which can in some cases be significant. Some of the older threads here regarding aligning the axis an...
by rungemach
Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:24 pm
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: spoiler board?
Replies: 6
Views: 5170

Re: spoiler board?

You may find this older posting helpful as well. I also use a slat type arrangement and it has worked very well over the years. Allows the use of clamping, as well as links the table top sections together for increased strength.

https://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic. ... 6&start=10
by rungemach
Sat Jun 01, 2019 12:26 pm
Forum: CNC Shark
Topic: New Break Out Board
Replies: 1
Views: 1600

Re: New Break Out Board

Are you using an older parallel port shark with Mach 3 software? If so, your controller board had the stepper motor drivers on it and is somewhat hard to find in the used market. I replaced mine with a gecko g540, which has proven to be very dependable. It may require some reconfiguration of Mach 3 ...
by rungemach
Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:42 pm
Forum: System Comparisons
Topic: mach3/4 conversion
Replies: 3
Views: 6535

Re: mach3/4 conversion

I originally used shark motors with 24v power supply. Later bought much bigger motors and went to 48 volts. Would not do it that way again. Keep the shark controller and motors together as a set. The Gecko uses a different pin configuration for the motors. The switches etc are all standard off the s...
by rungemach
Fri Feb 22, 2019 2:03 pm
Forum: System Comparisons
Topic: mach3/4 conversion
Replies: 3
Views: 6535

Re: mach3/4 conversion

I use Mach3 on my cnc that started life as a Shark. Also use it on my other equipment and having a common interface for all of it is a plus. Currently using Mach3 on a dedicated PC, smooth stepper interface board, Gecko 540 driver system, with 48 volt power supply to the larger steppers. This setup ...
by rungemach
Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:12 am
Forum: Shark Pro
Topic: Shark Pro lead screw nuts
Replies: 2
Views: 6761

Re: Shark Pro lead screw nuts

New solid lead screw nuts will have a thousandth or so of fixed backlash. It is easy to feel the backlash as no springs are used to mask it. They will maintain that same backlash under high loads as well as light loads. Over time they will wear and get a bit looser, and can be replaced. The anti-bac...
by rungemach
Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:20 pm
Forum: Setting up the Shark
Topic: Shark HD4 extended isn't cutting square...
Replies: 18
Views: 13074

Re: Shark HD4 extended isn't cutting square...

FWIW, I have never seen a shark that was perfectly square, and I have worked on several of different generations. Do not assume that the front and back plates are parallel or square to anything. I have seen good discrepancies between the front to back plate distance on the right and left side. The f...