Messages

731

General Mach Discussion / Re: Axis calibration

« on: December 08, 2016, 06:25:36 AM »

Leslie,
Make sure that you remove any backlash BEFORE using the axis calibration by making a move in the direction you move for the calibration.

It is best to calibrate the axis over the longest distance possible, say 24", since any error would be small in a short distance.
BUT
That would assume that the screw / components are linear over the 24" distance. That may not be true as the actual movement
may vary over that distance. Once calibrated  over the long distance, you should try different sections of the screw to check accuracy
or better yet make a plot of movement to accuracy.

 

can i just go into the axis calibration and say to move 5", then enter 5.030?

Yes, just remember that, any axis calibration is only as good as the info given. Above comment would still apply.

RICH

732

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Luddite needs some really basic macro-training (XHC HB04 Pendant)

« on: December 07, 2016, 08:24:36 AM »

Can you post the pendant's instruction manual?

RICH

733

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Loader Desktop

« on: December 07, 2016, 08:01:06 AM »

Funny how you forget things you learned
I used to have an excellent memory before

Try that new stuff from jelly fish they are advertising....................
Grew tentacles.....................
Memory did get better but tip of nose turned red when recalling something............
Must be that time of the year!

Your reaction may be different,

This may sum it all up:
It's not about forgetting where you put the car keys but rather that you don't remember what they are used for!

Happy Holidays,

RICH
 

734

General Mach Discussion / Re: STEP / COPY A PATTERN

« on: December 07, 2016, 07:26:24 AM »

Drew,
Consider using WORK Offsets, ie; G54, G55 or G59-P1 to P254, etc. which defines the Work offset from home to the fixture.
-An example of use would be making multiple parts  using the same code by providing an offset to do the other parts. ie; G54 offset used for the first part and then G55  ( offset amount ) such that the tool would start at a different Datum.
- G54 is default work offset when Mach starts.


Consider also using a G52 which is some distance from the G54 X,Y,Z location.
- The G52 is the distance from G54 0,0,0  to the part / tool location.
- G52  is  a temporary offset - you need to have a work offset in place since it offsets the original offset by some value and can be cancelled thus the original offsets are not cancelled.
- The  G52 just offsets the controlled point by some amount and remains in effect until canceled.

See attached pic.  


RICH

735

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis question

« on: December 05, 2016, 06:06:06 PM »

It should be able to index, but, maybe  the rotary vendor may be thinking in terms of it spinning continuously and that is a different story. Don't know anything about the Leeto controller.

Tweakie does laser stuff and may chime in and help you more.

RICH

736

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: NEED HELP with G code for Canned Cycle??

« on: December 04, 2016, 03:03:18 PM »

Why do you want someone else to do your homework?
Should have paid attention in class!

RICH

737

General Mach Discussion / Re: understanding how mach process works.

« on: December 02, 2016, 04:03:41 PM »

Mach is software which provides for the control of different CNC machines. Mach is configured / setup for a machine and in that it knows how to send the appropriate information / commands to the hardware. The hardware consists of the drives or whatever which run the motors sending the proper signals to the motors which move the axes of the machine.
Gcode are instructions that Mach ( controlling software ) understands and thus sends that information in the proper way to the drive.
The closed loop of servos is done by the servo drive.  

For more information please read the different Mach manuals, watch the videos, etc.

RICH  

738

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: A axis acting as a spindle then toggle back to a rotary.

« on: December 01, 2016, 07:56:47 AM »

Mike,
So what's up?

RICH

739

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question for Plasma guys on material sensing

« on: November 30, 2016, 03:09:31 PM »

Hood,

The plasma machine that my friend uses is very basic and has no input control so he installed a relay to automate pulling the trigger.Handle is on a floating head.
The M3 macro turns the plasma machine on after probing / locates top of material then adjusts heigth, and provides a signal to activate a relay ( Output 2), sets some basic feed rates.

So typical cycle is:
- initial axis moves
- M3
  Probe and set tip to material
  Output 2 from Mach triggers a relay which closes the trigger circuit.
  run gcode
 - M5
   turn off pasma before retracting via M5 macro.

Repeat above cycle for each new pathing to be cut.


RICH

MACROS & GCODE EXAMPLE
------------------------
M3 MACRO
------------
Present_Feed_Rate = GetOEMDRO(818)
DeactivateSignal(Output2)
Call SetOEMDRO(802, 0) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00
Code "G31 Z-8.0 F60.0" 'probe surface
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G4 P.5" 'wait
ZprobePos = GetVar(2002) 'get contact point
Code "G0 Z" &ZprobePos 'return to point to remove overshoot
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call SetOEMDRO(802, 0) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G4 P.5" 'wait
Code "G0 Z.480" 'remove floating head travel
Code "F" & Prestent_Feed_Rate
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call SetOEMDRO(802,.100) 'Set Z DRO = 0.00
While IsMoving()
Wend
ActivateSignal(Output2)
'Pierce Delay
Code "G4 P1.0" 'wait for example 5 second delay
'put G4 P5.0 in GCodde after each M3 line or uncomment the G4 code line above.


M5 MACRO
---------
DeactivateSignal(Output2)


EXAMPLE OF some GCODE ( posted by LazyCam Plasma Module )
--------------------------------------------------------
N5 (File Name = 2 2"SQUAREs )
N10 (Default Plasma Post)
N15  G91.1
N20 G0  Z60.0000  (bad posting value / bug/ need to change Z value to suite)
N25 G0  X0.0000  Y0.0000
N30 G0  Z0.0000
N35 M3(PLasma On)
N40 G4 P0.3000 (vary P value to suite / or set dwell in M5 macro)
N45 G1  Y2.0000  F60.00
N50  X2.0000
N55  Y0.0000
N60  X0.0000
N65 G4P0.40
N70 M5 (Plasma Off)
N75 G0  Z60.0000 (bad posting value / bug/ need to change Z value to suite)
N80 G0  X3.0000  Y0.0000
N85 G0  Z0.0000
N90 M3(PLasma On)
N95 G4 P0.3000  (vary P value to suite / or set dwell in M5 macro)
N100 G1  X5.0000
N105  Y2.0000
N110  X3.0000
N115  Y0.0000
N120 G4P0.40
N125 M5 (Plasma Off)
N130 G0 Z60.0000 (bad posting value / bug/ need to change Z value to suite)
N135 M30

740

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question for Plasma guys on material sensing

« on: November 30, 2016, 10:06:47 AM »

Hood,
Will answer your question's later today.
 
Nice to see that there activity on plasma in here. I would venture to say "it's more of a lost child than the lathe".

Later,
RICH