Messages

2191

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: engraving logo

« on: February 22, 2007, 03:37:14 AM »

It is better to convert the scanned image to vectors then it can be exported as a DXF file and loaded into lazycam.

Search google for scan2cad

Graham.

2192

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tooling

« on: February 22, 2007, 03:11:23 AM »

If you have set your Z datum at zero with the first tool then the offset values for tools 2,3,4,etc is the difference in length of that tool to the first tool.

Graham.

2193

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: February 19, 2007, 07:54:25 AM »

Hi my name is Graham, I am an apprentice trained engineer and have worked 30 years in NC/CNC production, I started programming G-Code in 1978 when you had to make long paper tapes that had to be read and rewound for every run if the machine.

Over the years I have programmed 2,4,6 axis lathes, 3,4,5 axis mills and all sorts of other type machines.  Nowadays I tend to use CAM programs to do the hard work for me but still hand code things just to keep my hand in.

My first hobby CNC was a home built router, DOS based, it was rubbish,  later I retro fitted a Warco lathe to servo control under Mach3, I am now putting the final touches to a Boxford VMC190 mill that will also run with Mach3.

My other hobby is computer programming, I program in several languages and at a good level, but not in Arts league.

I live in West Yorkshire, England.

2194

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with conversion

« on: February 18, 2007, 03:06:26 AM »

Hi FranH,

I bought a servo system from them including there motors for a lathe project, all I can say about that system is, It dose what it says on the tin.

its been running about 8 months and not a single problem, its accurate and faster than the old stepper system.

Graham.

2195

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Help with macropump code

« on: February 17, 2007, 04:45:55 AM »

Hi David,

if you add a dro onto a mach screen, (it can be off visible area of screen if you wish) you can set it to a value, say 0 for cont and 1 for step then add another dro for a counter.

Then you can read this to know the state of your jog.

then in your macropump put something like :-

Add code to set jog type dro and set counter

IF yourdro = 1  then
  if countdro>40 then (adjust the 40 to set flash rate)
    If GetOEMLed(15) Then
      turn led off
      set dro count to 0
    Else
      turn led on
      set dro count to 0
    End If
   else
     add 1 to dro count
   Endif
ENDIF

As the macropump runs about 40 times a second you need a delay to see the led flash the counter dro will do this.

Just a quick thought, but it should work

Graham.

2196

General Mach Discussion / Re: feeds and speeds?

« on: February 17, 2007, 03:46:36 AM »

Hi Chris,

go to the Dormer website, got to the 'Product Selector 2006' page and download the technical hand book its 40Mb but it will tell you all you need to know about every type of cutting tool and condition, well worth a look.

Graham.

http://www.dormertools.com/

2197

General Mach Discussion / Re: Manual tool change w/ Settings from Mach3 : Code review needed

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:23:59 AM »

The tool change location is for when you have an auto changer.

Graham.

2198

General Mach Discussion / Re: Manual tool change w/ Settings from Mach3 : Code review needed

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:15:37 AM »

Hi Haik,

The tool offsets are quite easy to understand. They are the difference in length from tool 1

If you always use tool one as the datum tool, i.e. you touch this on the top of the work piece and set your Z zero at this point.

Then move your Z up out of the way and load tool 2.

Wind tool 2 down until it touches the top of the work.

The reading in the Z dro is the offset for tool 2

This figure you enter in to tool 2 offset for length.

Just keep repeating this for the rest of your tools entering the value into there tool offset.

The only time you need to change the offset table is if you use a different tool 1 or you need to change a cutting tool

If like me you make tool 1 a touch probe life gets even easier as tool one never changes.

Graham.
 

2199

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP.........Motor Tuning problem

« on: February 15, 2007, 04:53:57 AM »

I agree, friends again 

Graham.

2200

General Mach Discussion / Re: Manual tool change w/ Settings from Mach3 : Code review needed

« on: February 14, 2007, 06:25:16 PM »

The only problem I can see with what you are doing is that you are not talking into account the tool length offsets.

If the tools are set to exactly the same length then you can go back to the same place.  If the second tool is longer then there is going to be a big bang.

The other thing is you don't need to do all this to change tools manually.

If you set up your tools in the tool offset table you can run some thing like this:-

G21 G40 G00 G99 G17

N1 (TOOL 1)
T1 M6
S1000 M3
G00 G43 X0 Y0 Z25.
Z1.
G01 Z-1. F50.
G00 Z100.
M0

N2 (T00L 2)
T2 M6
S750 M3
G00 G43 X0 Y0 Z25.
Z1.
G01 Z-1. F25.
G00 Z100.
M0

N3 (TOOL 3)
T3 M6
Etc....

Graham.