Getting 4th Axis to work from Vectric Vcarvepro 6.5

[Peterb33]

Hi,

Struggling to get Mach3 to work using the 4th axis using a text toolpath generated by Vcave pro. Vectric seems to generate it ok and it looks like it is wrapped. After saving in the correct wrap.txt file the wording in the file does not appear when we open the file in Mach3, it all seems to be in a lump or thin line? Tried toolpath setupmenu checked 'A' rotation is enabled and selected the axis and the z zero for the job as the centre of the axis  but no luck.

What are we doing wrong?

Thanks  Peter

[Greolt]

Hi,

Struggling to get Mach3 to work using the 4th axis using a text toolpath generated by Vcave pro. Vectric seems to generate it ok and it looks like it is wrapped. After saving in the correct wrap.txt file the wording in the file does not appear when we open the file in Mach3, it all seems to be in a lump or thin line? Tried toolpath setupmenu checked 'A' rotation is enabled and selected the axis and the z zero for the job as the centre of the axis  but no luck.

What are we doing wrong?

One of two things or possibly both.

Need to set the correct axis of rotation under the "Toolpath Configuration"

And secondly you need to set the Z axis offset DRO "Rotation Radius" on the settings page, to whatever Z axis origin is offset from centre of rotation.

Worth noting that Mach will only give a visual representation of A axis rotations, not B or C.

Greg

[Peterb33]

Tried both but no difference, also tried various combinations of the suggestions, axis of rotaion as x, y etc. In the settings page it is called Rotation Diameter rather than radius, tried values for radius and diameter but again no change. 

Tried running a job but the A axis just rotates contiuously and the image of the toolpath shows nothing meanigful.

Can't help but think it's close, but one small thing wrong?

Peter

[Graham Waterworth]

what have you got in motor tuning for the 4th axis?

[Peterb33]

Motor tuning details are:
Steps per 400
velocity 2058
Acceleration 300
G's 0.0305928
Step pulse 5
Dir pulse 0

On the mach screen the 4th axis can be made to jog and if rotated 180 degrees on the screen it moves 180 degrees on the scale on the axis itself.

When we download a toolpath from Vectric it runs the program in a sort of fashion but the tool path in the display bears no resemblance to the one generated in Vectric.

Any clues to what needs tweaking?

[BR549]

Make sure you have set the proper axis of rotation and the part diameter for the part to display correctly. Also turn on feedrate correction.

(;-) TP

[Greolt]

Here is a basic toolpath thrown together in Vcarve.

This is the toolpath as shown in Mach3 and also the setting in the "Toolpath Configuration"

Greg

[Greolt]

I forgot to mention,

If your version of Mach has the DRO labelled "Rotation Diameter" then you are using an old version.

The rotary axis feedrate compensation was totally screwed up.  This was fixed about two years ago.

At that time the label was changed to read "Rotation Radius"

It probably should be called something like "Z axis origin offset"

Greg

EDIT:  That does not mean that the toolpath visualisation did not work.  It did.

[Peterb33]

Thanks Greg, You were right, I had version 3.043.022, downloaded 3.043.022 altered the settings as suggested and now it works fine.

When I installed the new version I lost all my settings, ie spindle speed, limits etc. Is there anyway to install a new version but retain or copy the existing data into the new version?


   Peter