Polar Mode in Mach3 Mill

[reg2117]

Comrades,
   Can someone please offer advice on using the polar mode commands G15, and G16? The manual (Rev 1.84-A2) states that G16 is used to enter polar mode and G15 is used to return to Cartesian coordinates. This is exactly opposite to the list in the Mach 3 program (the colorful list that gets brought up when the "g-code" button is pressed).

I tested the code in the manual (supplied below), using G16 G15 to start stop polar mode respectively, and G15 G16 to start stop respectively. I have selected the XY plane (G17) and am trying simply to get any polar move but seem to get only cartesian movement. A sample code known to work would be very helpful in working this bug.
Thanks in advance, 
Roger

From manual
G21
G0 X10Y5.5
G16
G1 X50 Y0
G83 Z-0.6
G1 Y20
G1 Y30
G1 Y40
> ...etc...
G15

[Graham Waterworth]

Roger,

here is a PCD hole macro using polar code

Graham.

#1=8 (number of holes)
G21 G40 G00 G90
G00 Z10.
M98 P0002 L#1
G15
G90
M30

O0002
G16 X25. (radius)
G91
G81 Y[360/[#1]] Z-10. F100. (drill hole)
G15
G00 Z10.
M99

[reg2117]

Thank you for the reply. I tested the following program, based on the supplied code. The tool path window only generated linear motion, instead of a circular path with intervals of peck drilling. Is there a setting somewhere in Mach3 that needs to be changed to allow polar motion? Any more advice would be very welcome.

G21 G40 G00 G90
G00 Z10.
M98 P0002 L4
G15
G90
M30

O0002
G16 X25. (radius)
G91
G81 Y90 Z-10. F100. (drill hole)
G15
G00 Z10.
M99

[Graham Waterworth]

OK, try it this way.

Graham.

%

#1=8 (number of holes)
#2=0
G21 G40 G00 G90
G00 Z10.
M98 P0002 L#1
G15
G90
M30

O0002
G16
X25. Y[[360/[#1]]*#2]
G15
G81 Z-10. R1. F100. (drill hole)
G80
#2=[#2+1]
G00 Z10.
M99

%

[vmax549]

Here is a straight example of the polar moves.

G0 z0.000
X0.000 Y0.000   (sets the pivot point)
G16
G81 x2.5 y0.0 R0.0 Z-.1 F3  ( in g16 mode the x becomes the offset from center and the Y becomes the degrees of rotation from the center of offset)
X2.5 Y90.0
X2.5 Y180.0
X2.5 Y270.0
G15             ( cancells the g16)
G80             ( cancells the canned cycle)
zo
X0y0
M30


THis will give you a four hole pattern based on a 2.5" offset(5"circle) and  starting at 3oclock

Just another example. (;-) TP

[eeeny]

Hi,

I just found the same thing, it seems like Mach3 doesn't like canned cycles when there is no X / Y specifed on the line

i.e.
G16
G1X?Y?
G81Z-1
doesn't work

but
G16
G81X?Y?Z-1
does work