Messages

481

General Mach Discussion / Re: First post: Mach3 machine and workspace offsets, auto home, and auto tool offset

« on: July 29, 2017, 07:53:13 AM »

I'm stuck trying to navigate the whole offset thing.
Is there a better way of thinking about this?

I would suggest that you use a single industrial recognized source to gain understanding of how to set up a machine and
programming techniques. One book that covers it all is Programming Handbook by Peter Smid. It will save you research
and reading time. Supplement the handbook with the mach manuals ( Mach4  agrees with Smid and is Fanuc  based
but Mach 3 has a similar / different dialect of code ).

Some info:
- Once the software controller "Mach" has the machines pyhsical location ( Machine Coordinate System) defined the it      
  can properly use defined  work / fixture offsets, tool offsets, and Gcode for CNC.

- Work Offsets ( Work Coordinate System ) / Fixture Offsets  
   There are many....in  Fanuc and Mach  there are six work offsets G54 to G59 and then the code changes for additional
    offsets namely in the form of G54.1 P( offset number ) but in Mach3 it's ( G59 P(offset number) ).  

    The work offset is a distance  from a machine coordinate  / home / referenced point to the Program zero.
    The program is the gcode instruction to do machining and has an origin / zero reference point.
     ? So what is you program zero  related to? Fixture location or the actual work pieces mounted on the fixture?
      So your thinking / how you setup / how you program can change depending on how you answer the questions.

Consider,
Five duplicate pieces located  on a fixture, and if multiple fixtures are used the fixture itself provides for repeatable
location of the pieces on the fixture and additioinaly the fixtures alll go to a repeatable location on the machine.
Thus only 4 work offsets required, G54, G55, G56, G57, G58 and they don't change from the referenced machine
coordinate.

Now if you deviate from the above, variable fixtures and or piece location then you make things more complicated
for no good reason. Rather than production mode you end up with doing multiple setups.

- G52 is a local offset from the current work offset. It proivdes for the ability to cancel the local offset and not affect the
  the current work offset. Additonaly it proivdes for convienience in programing. It was not meant as a replacement
  for the G5? work offsets. See the Smid book for details.

Frankly the only time I have used it is to provide a temporary offset so a tool could be adjusted for the pre-compensated
gcode from LazyTurn.

Times have changed and there are a lot of programs that produce good code at a reasonable price and inport dxf
drawings.May want to look into Cambam.

Consider using the master tool concept and providing for it.

RICH

482

General Mach Discussion / Re: lazycam postprocessor

« on: July 24, 2017, 01:51:56 PM »

Thanks Tweakie,
After a quick look at the PST file, think I have a flavor of how to be dangerous.

RICH

483

General Mach Discussion / Re: lazycam postprocessor

« on: July 24, 2017, 05:15:53 AM »

shady,

There is no documentation for creating a post processor for LazyCam.

RICH
 

484

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Master tool setup, Tool Adjust

« on: July 23, 2017, 10:21:20 AM »

Do I need to set it up off of the master each time or can I setup off a tool it will be turned with.

Can I setup off of any tool I'm actually using or is it best to setup from the master.

I personaly always use the master tool  but you can use any tool provided the tool table work offsets are correct. Also remember to make sure that the tool # DRO shows the tool to be used!!! What you do is dependent on what method you are using ie; if the tool is not used for actual machining and your going to use the screen to machine and use the inputs  to define the location of the work then you need to use the proper tool.

I hope you are not getting confused.

Is there an easier way to set up drill chucks?

A number of ways to do. You can try this or a variation of it. If a reference piece has an accurate hole on the center ( ie; reamed hole for  the size of drill) and if reference piece is truely on center then when you move the drill into the the reamed hole it will enter without
any movement. Need to look at it under magnification. That is how I check  the  small
size drills #60 to #80. Adjust tool holder / chuck  until that happens. I probe mine and they are usualy spot on, but....... the micro drills will break in a heart beat ( especialy carbide ones) if not set properly.

Must say that everything one does is only as good as the "Lathe System" and how
meticulous they are in setup.

Must note that I have use Albrecht drill chuck's and lucky to have a set.

RICH

485

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Master tool setup, Tool Adjust

« on: July 23, 2017, 09:44:04 AM »

Thoroco,

The attached should be helpful.

RICH

486

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Master tool setup, Tool Adjust

« on: July 22, 2017, 09:40:26 PM »

Study what is written in a text file called MachTurn which can be found in the Mach3 folder you installled Mach. The file file dates back to 2006 but represents the thinking on how the generic screen set is used and a way to set things up.

I echo what I posted  before and added in quotations:

One can simply say that all tools relate to the master tool and all tools relate to each other "including the master tool".

Will reply about using QCTP later.

For now,

RICH

487

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Master tool setup, Tool Adjust

« on: July 22, 2017, 06:05:23 AM »

Thoroco,
Thanks for button info. TOOL TABLE button on the first screen is the same as
Tool Adjustment button in the cycle screen and they are just a button to take you to the
page used for setting up your lathe tools.

1.All tool X offsets are in terms of radii in the tool table.
   Diameter Mode - the X axis would only move 1/2 of  the distance of the  value.
   Radius Mode -            "               "    the value  
2.Consider using Radius mode and machine coordinates when populating the tool  table.
   When in Machine Coordinates the axis moves are absolute and  the actual x axis          moves will be in terms of radii.
--------------------------------------
For adjusting or manualy putting the X offset into the tool table:

If in Diameter Mode, then input the offset in terms of diameter, open the tool table
and you will see that it is 1/2 of the value you input into the X offset DRO.

If in Radius  Mode, then input the desired X offset , open the tool table
and you will see that it is the value you input into the X offset DRO .

The above also applies to X wear.
--------------------------------------
Yes it can get confusing.
So lets add to the confusion.........try this!
In Radius Mode put a value into the X offset and X wear. Open the tool table
and check that the inputs are as input, click Apply and Ok. Now change the mode
from Radius to Diameter ( Config> Ports & Pins>Turn Options> tick Diameter for x
mode) ( BTW, you can't change x mode any other way ). What occured in the tool set up screen?

---------------------------------------

You can setup anyway you want. Simply here is what I do:
1. Tool table is populated / complete and done.
2. Locate lathe center X =0 ( I probe for it with the master tool)
3. Define a location such that Machine Coordinate 0,0=Home / referenced location 0,0=
    the tool change location, all of which is far enough away from the stock for all the tools.
4. Locate the part / stock from home. ( I probe it with Tool #0) G54 work offset is created.
5. Home the axes, insert first tool to be used, run the program


RICH

488

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Master tool setup, Tool Adjust

« on: July 21, 2017, 08:14:54 AM »

I would recommend using 062 version.

Note the following:
- The master tool sets the basis for all the other tool offsets. I use tool #1 for the master tool
  and it has no offsets just like Tool 0 which has no offsets and you can't change Tool 0.
  One can simply say that all tools relate to the master tool and all tools relate to each other.
- All tool X offsets are in terms of radii in the tool table.
- Do not mix front and rear post in the tool table.
- The X & Z wear offset can be used to adjust the work offset. Inserts have tolerances,
   and frankly I just rather re- touch off the tool with the new insert. You can call out the same
  tool but use the offset of another tool.
- Once the tool table is populated you should not need to change anything unless there is      wear,breakage , etc.
- Any touch off method and use of a tool  is only as good as YOUR LATHE SYSTEM.
- There are a number of ways to populate the tool table. Making a cut and and using the    machine value will be most accurate for most.
- Consider using Radius mode and machine coordinates when populating the tool table.
-  Also always recheck / confirm tool offsets & adjustments as one does make mistakes.

I don't use the generic screen set and use a custom screen set to probe for tool offsets and populate  the table. Frankly repeatablity of touch off is +- 0.0002" and that is as good as actualy turning down and measuring and also is much quicker.

I do have a question........
What "Tool Adjust" button are you taking about? There is no button like that in the generic screen set.
 
RICH

489

General Mach Discussion / Re: usb to printer port

« on: July 18, 2017, 09:19:54 AM »

Joe,
Should be able to purchase a Win7. I had two used computers, one lap top and a Dell tower which are dual boot ie;
have XP Pro and  Win 7 64 bit. Was worth every buck to just let them install the operating systems.
The only thing is that you will be limited in memory in that configuration.

Fusion only worked on the lap top using Win 7 as it was faster processor than the Dell.
Looking to the future, sooner or later, an external motion will be required. Hopefully the dedicated pc for CNC will outlast me!

The real PITA, is all that software one has that cost a small fortune and requires repurchase to function on new PC's.

Dated,

RICH

490

General Mach Discussion / Re: Threading Wizard

« on: July 18, 2017, 08:26:49 AM »

Gaute,

The seller claimed it was a Smooth Stepper card.

Yea, right, and he also has a bridge in China he would like to sell you!

What if I connect the index sensor direct to the LPT?
As replied before,  Can't specifically answer if that will work.
You can try and see what happens.....................

So ask the seller these questions:
  Does the driver board support Mach3 threading?

Did he say yes?

In threading you can't have two different inputs for the RPM as indicated by the DRO.
The index provides rpm info to Mach, and as you said, the index and DRO indication seems to be working. So manualy set the rpm for the spindle, then Mach3 should be using the info from the index input for threading, and that will be reflected in the DRO.

When time to implement threading, the rpm value is given to Mach, it must be stable before it will be used ( else motion will not occur). With two inputs they would be fighting each other where one implies  speed up whle the other may slow down, and that fighting also impacts the next threading  move.

This goes back to:

So ask the seller these questions:
   What exactly is represented by that output from the card?

BTW, I requested the xml file you are using for the lathe.
I am not a mind reader on how you have things configured ...........

RICH