Mach 3 and 4th Axis

[bigbigjimbo]

I have my 4th Axis set up on the hardware side of things but I am not sure how to go about it in Mach3 software Is there somewhere that i can see a complete start to finish setup or can someone explain it step by step.
I have at the moment only messed around in setting it up on mach3 but i thought that once it was setup correctly I should see it as it should be on the display for the tool path meaning for example i see a tube form with the engraving on it.
Thanks Jimbo

[Greolt]

Not much more to it than a linear axis. 

Steps per unit are in degrees.  Bit of maths will sort that out.

The axis must be designated A.  Neither B nor C will give you a visual representation of the toolpath.

Under "Toolpath" set "A-Rotations Enabled", and select which axis it rotates about.

Greg

[bigbigjimbo]

Greg is there somewhere that you enter the diameter so that it shows it proper on the display or is this sorted out by the length of the drawing
Jimbo

[Greolt]

"Rotation Radius" DRO that is found on the settings page.

If Z axis zero is at the centre of rotation (to my mind, most often the correct place for it, others will disagree) then the visual toolpath will display correctly.

If Z axis zero is at some other height above centre,  this must be entered into the above DRO for the toolpath to display correctly.

Greg

[bigbigjimbo]

Greg
I undersatand what you are saying I will try it all out later and if i have a problem i will post again/
Thanks
Jimbo

[bigbigjimbo]

Greg
tried it and i find the display creates circles of dots and where it should be cutting there is other dot shapes, I was expecting to see (in my case a alpha letter) form into a cylinder and show the tool moving around as it would do on the normal XYZ cutting display.
Jimbo

[rcsimpson]

I am using the 2Linc engraving software (full version) to engrave round tubing.   I seem to have a problem of my code bombing out and not sure why.   I can disable the X,Y,Z axis and the code runs to completion.  It seems that if I enable X and A it will bomb out and stop.

Can anybody help?
csimpson@rcsguns.com

[Greolt]

Jimbo a picture is worth a thousand words.  

And perhaps post the code too and I will take a look.

Greg

[bigbigjimbo]

Gerolt
here is the code and display pic
Jim

[Greolt]

Jim

There are no A axis calls in that gcode.  Only X,Y and Z.

It also has G2 and G3 calls which are not applicable to a rotary axis.

Greg