Messages

6091

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 going off course of cut

« on: December 09, 2006, 07:15:30 PM »

You shouldn't have to unless there is a problem. You're only backing them up as a precaution, in case they are overwritten.

6092

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.

« on: December 09, 2006, 04:43:11 PM »

Sounds like you want one PC to both run the machine and do your CAD CAM work? Pretty much any 1Ghz or better will run Mach3 fine, butCADCAM is another story. Most current processors will work just fine, the big difference makers are the video cards, which can be half the price of a PC for good ones.

I'd recommend a dual core processor, as they are pretty cheap and very common now, and can make a big difference when multitasking. 10 months ago when I bought a new PC, Athlon X2's delivered the most bang for the buck. All that changed when Intel released the CoreDuo and Core2Duo. Much faster and cooler running, and still relatively inexensive if you stay away from the fastest available. If you don't need the greatest and latest video card, a decent gaming card like a 6800GS or GT should be fine.

6093

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 going off course of cut

« on: December 09, 2006, 04:18:40 PM »

Graham, I just checked and the D1 is not modal for me. Try this. Use .25 for the diameter of tool 1.

6094

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 going off course of cut

« on: December 09, 2006, 04:10:48 PM »

His program has a G91.1 in it, also D1 is global as far as I know.

Graham.

Graham, the D1 didn't appear to be gloabal for me. Only the first circle was comped.

Michael, I think there are some comp (G41/G42) bugs in 1.84. Try it with the latest version.

6095

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 going off course of cut

« on: December 09, 2006, 08:46:58 AM »

Is your IJ mode set to absolute? It ran fine on my PC ( simulation mode) with IJ set to incremental. Also, only your first G42 has a D1. Every G42 needs a D1, and you also need the tool diameter for tool1 set in the tool table.

6096

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: New LazyCam has lots of problems

« on: December 04, 2006, 03:31:05 PM »

Bill, here's a useful tip if your using AutoCAD and need to export .dxf's, ALWAYS use .v12. Pretty much every program that reads .dxf's will read V12 from AutoCAD. But I'm using AutoCAD 2002 and I couldn't open your .dxf.

6097

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G42 problem

« on: December 04, 2006, 10:32:28 AM »

If you can get a copy of AutoCAD 2002, I have a macro that will output the g-code directly including the G42's, including the Px.********* You'll need to draw the leadin and leadout moves yourself, though. Let me know if you need a link to it.

6098

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G42 problem

« on: December 03, 2006, 07:51:24 AM »

When I'm cutting out parts, here's my method for doing comp using AutoCAD. Pick a corner of the part where you want to start and stop, and extend those lines a little more than 1/2 the tool diameter. Then I add the leadin move to the start. I use the leadin to ramp into the part, and since I work with wood, I find that an 1-1/2" long ramp works pretty well with a 1/2" tool. I try to keep in in line with the part profile, offset to the side by the radius, which will actually let the tool enter the stock on a fairly straight path while the comp is being applied.Then I add a leadout move, where I ramp out of the part, which prevents a dwell at the end of the cut which can dull the tool a little bit. I use a macro that I wrote for AutoCAD that exports the g-code directly from AutoCAD, with the G41/G42 code and ramping automatically applied.

6099

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G42 problem

« on: December 02, 2006, 10:39:52 AM »

Make sure you have a tool size for tool #23 in your tool table before running Graham's code, or you won't see any comp occuring.

6100

General Mach Discussion / Re: any mach-compatible controller for controlling standard servo amplifiers?

« on: November 28, 2006, 09:13:55 PM »

This might help you out. http://www.skyko.com/