Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Ukie on July 12, 2011, 03:59:49 PM
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I am relatively new to CNC and am in the process of learning and running sample g-code programs on a 3 axis mill routing machine that I recently built. I have encountered a problem with the size of the parts that I am cutting as they are considerably smaller than what the original design calls for. I have also used the roadrunner program to test my machine and although my machine cuts it out, it end up being quite small. I initially thought that I had set up Mach 3 incorrectly but when I checked the "Units" setting it was set for inches and the various g-code programs that I have used were also in inches and yet this problem persists. I am at a complete loss as to what is causing this peoblem and would certainly appreciate getitng some advice as to how to fix it. Much appreciated.
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Hi Ukie,
Your Steps Per unit are probably set wrongly in Motor Tuning (perhaps you are using a reduction gearing on your motors or perhaps you are using Microsteps and have not allowed for this ?)
As far as scale is concerned;
You can see the size of a loaded GCode program in the Toolpath page under Program Limits.
On the main page you can adjust the Scale DRO's (currently set to +1.000) and for example +2.000 (press return key after entry) for X Axis and Y Axis will produce double size and you can check this in the Toolpath page under Program Limits (you need to click the Regen.Toolpath button).
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.
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Thanks. I will give this a try.
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I have tried restting the x and y scales in toolpath but my changes are not being accepted by Mach 3. Settings keep on reverting back to what they were previously. What do I need to do to overcome this?
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If you are sure you are hitting the RETURN key as Tweak mentioned, then there might be a G50 in the beginning of your code. If so, remopve it as it resets all scale factors to 1.0
RC
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I managed to get the scaling setting figured out. Thanks for your help.
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Hi All,
I need to be saved once again! I was wondering if there is a way of scaling down in Mach 3. I tried playing with the scale figures on the main page and successful in flipping the image from left to right and so on, but if i enter -2 in the X and Y the image is all distorted. Any way i'm not bothered cause some kind soul will save me again!!
Best regards
Greg
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Hi Greg,
The axis Scale DRO's take a bit of getting used to but for example +1.0000 is full size, +0.5000 is half size, +0.2500 is quarter size etc.
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.
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Another Noobie in CNC world.
My problem is that I am trying to cut a small piece but Mach3 is scale X2. I am not sure what to do? please help!
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Another Noobie in CNC world.
My problem is that I am trying to cut a small piece but Mach3 is scale X2. I am not sure what to do? please help!
If the finished X-Y size is double what you require then change the X and Y axis DRO's from +1.0000 to +0.5000 (pressing Enter after each change).
note...
This will affect the X-Y scale of the finished part but may cause problems with tool radius compensation under some circumstances.
Tweakie.
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I have a problem where over 16 inches the actual span of a plasma cut part turns out to be about 15.96875. so I am losing about 1/32 over 16" This same error is also reflected in spacing between holes, so it is not a function of kerf width. Should this be adjusted in Scale DROs, or is there a better way to do this? I am concerned that if I make a correction here, running a code written by someone else will undo my correction and unnecessary scrap will be generated. Please advise.
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I have a problem where over 16 inches the actual span of a plasma cut part turns out to be about 15.96875. so I am losing about 1/32 over 16" This same error is also reflected in spacing between holes, so it is not a function of kerf width. Should this be adjusted in Scale DROs, or is there a better way to do this? I am concerned that if I make a correction here, running a code written by someone else will undo my correction and unnecessary scrap will be generated. Please advise.
An error like that would seem to indicate that you have not set your steps per unit correctly. On the settings page there is a button 'set steps per unit' click the button and follow the onscreen instructions to check your current settings.
Tweakie.