Hi everyone, Iam new to this CNC programming but I have made good progress...
I am blaming my poor english combined with how-to-do manuals I have got stuck in my milling when I tried to import a SW-drawing to my Mach2 program

I dont know if I do anything the right way but this how I do it: I sed my SW-drawing to the SW DWGenerator and remove all the templet lines from the SW-drawing? then save the drawing as a DXF and after that I import the file into the Mach2 "import DXF"
So far so good i get G-code and everyting looks fine, but when I start my mill, the part turns out much bigger???

and also I cant get the toolradius to work but thats an other story (perhaps i just need to find an example to follow)

I would be glad if anyone could help me.

I´m from Sweden that is my exuse for poor spelling and bad sentences

Zigge

For some reason unknown to mankind I now got the size right but still no tool radius compensation??
My tool just follows the coordinates and my part turns out 6mm to small :-(

so what I now need help with is a simple direction on how to set up my machine to compensate for the tool radius,
I must add that I dont know how the machine is set up? perhaps there is a deeper problem? but lets start in the easy end with basic coding...
I have in my "tooltable" set the Tool Nr 6 for 6mm diameter, but to me it seems as it does not take that command, and also on the main page I see the tool Nr 6, but I dont know if it is activated? if it can be activated? red LED or something...

The generated code looks like this:
(File insex412 )
(Tuesday, November 23, 2010)
G90G80G49
G0 Z5.0000
G0 Z5.0000
M5
M6 T6
M3
S320
G0 Z5.0000
G0 X77.7241 Y142.7784
M3
F100.000G1 Z-1.0000
F100.000G1 X83.0741 Y142.7784
G1 X85.7491 Y147.4116
G1 X83.0741 Y152.0448
G1 X77.7241 Y152.0448
G1 X75.0491 Y147.4116
G1 X77.7241 Y142.7784
M5
G0 Z5.0000
G0 X0 Y0
M5M30


I guess that this is a small problem for anyone but me...

Thanks

Zigge

I don;t know what you mean by SW ( Solid Works? ).
LC imports the dxf, you create an offset from the original profile based on on a defined tool, then the code generated takes into account the tooling. You only post code for the offset. I never used Mach 2 ....so can't help you out there.

I know nothing about SW...maybe you want to upgrade Mach version as your somewhat way back in time.

RICH

If you're using the dxf importer for Mach2, then it won't do the offset or compensation. To use cutter compensation, it needs to be turned on with a G41 (left) or G42 (right) and off with G40. You'll also need to add proper leadin and lead out moves.

A lot of people just offset the lines in the .dxf file by the tool radius, but you'll need to use a 2D CAD program to do that.


Another option is to use a CAM program to do the offset for you.

Hi
Thanks for your replies
SW is Solid works

I tried to do the G41 and G42 but I got errors, but once I got the cutter radius compensation going, but then the program made an arc inside the part instead of out side wich was what I wanted, but I thought it was just to change the G41 to G42, but now it wont run without getting errors, I dont have the system infront of me but the errors are something like "concave radius" or something like the that

Is it possible to get an example of how to program a cutter radius code with all commands?

I guess that upgrading to Mach3 would be the best but my computer skills are not what they should be to do that kind of thing 

Thanks for a great and helpful forum!!!
Zigge

Is it possible to get an example of how to program a cutter radius code with all commands?

There is a write up in Members Docs called ARC Motion which contains numerous examples of arc programing
 with the all basics. Even though it's for a lathe ( G18 ) you can apply the basics to the mill ( G17 ).

As far as compensation, do a search as i remember Graham provided an good example.
There are some rules associated with compensation as Gerry replied and the best would be to have a look at a good reference like
Peter Smid's programming Handbood.

RICH
 

All inside corners need to have a radius larger than the tool radius, or you'll get errors.

You really should upgrade to Mach3, as the comp has been changed and works better than Mach2's.

Is it a lot of work, upgrading to mach 3? do I have to spend days or for me maybe years to configure the program?

I got my program working, fixed a bit with the G-code

Is it a lot of work, upgrading to mach 3?

Not really, just make a note of your configuration and settings so you can re input them into Mach 3.

RICH

Thanks for the input. Everytime I download à DXF to mach2 I get BIG cirkles??? Does this happen in mach3 also?
Because of this I have not  been able to use any Solid Works drawing... :-(
If this problem Does not exist in mach3 it would be worth it...
Perhaps it would be best to upgrade anyway