Messages

4741

LazyTurn / Re: getting started with Lazy Turn

« on: March 30, 2010, 11:16:53 AM »

Steve,
GXF? you mean DXF...
Do you have the latest / free version of LazyTurn installed? see the manual for instructions located in Members Docs as it was updated / Rev 7
Section 4.5

Posting code- Section 5.16

Post the DXF file and i will take a look at it .

RICH

4742

General Mach Discussion / Re: Threading no go?

« on: March 30, 2010, 11:04:03 AM »

What would cause a negative spindle speed vs a positive?

Did so many tests that i don't recall exactly,but i am thinking you have the threading plug-in enabled.
If the plug in is enabled the rpm is not true since it's then pc based, so as Hood said it realy screws things up.

You need to have the Use Spindle Feedback in Sync Modes checked as that controls how the feed rate will be adjusted during the actual threading  (ie. it will slow down or increase the feed based on the TRUE rpm). Otherwise all the controls built into the threading cycle are not not being utilized ( sort of like taking the plane out of auto pilot and your flying in a storm and can't see )!

Which leads me to ask or say,
Are you making note of the calculated feedrate to specified rpm for  the thread in the wizard?
At 150mm/ min ( approx 6 in/min) your max rpm would be around 100 rpm for say 20 tpi. If your running 500 rpm instead of the 100
then the program adjusts the feed rate down /  not up as it can't so the first cut may be all right but the next would be trashed.
And you should not run at you max feedrate since your are loosing torque and may run into other problems.

I would suggest that the configuration be correct ( so post your XML ),  that you check the index, then check the rpm, then do a scribe test, then do some testing of threading to see how "your" lathe system works at different cut depths.

Post your XML as Hood has asked and we can start from there.
RICH

4743

General Mach Discussion / Re: Threading no go?

« on: March 29, 2010, 05:43:25 PM »

Glad you got it working. 
By all means post what you did for the benefit of others.
RICH

4744

General Mach Discussion / Re: Threading no go?

« on: March 29, 2010, 08:29:42 AM »

RUFE,
Take a look at the Threading on The Lathe Manual - Mach 3 Turn which can be found in the Members Docs.
- sect 3.5 - Trigger Test
- sect 7.0 - Configuration
You should have a positive rpm . The rpm is based on the index pulse and so is the triggering to start the threading.
RICH

4745

General Mach Discussion / Re: dispensing liquid with Mach 3

« on: March 26, 2010, 09:16:58 AM »

Todd,
Using the A axis as an indexer such that a part of a degree per revolution is equal to so manny uL would be the way to go. Of course you will need to calibrate the pump. Don't know how acccurately the volume needs  to be or amount of hold up you will require so the "system" can be more involved than just a pump. I would not recommend reversing the pump as that will affect the dispensing accuracy. If accuracy comes into play then a syringe pump may be more appropriate. I assume you will be doing just just single dispensing and not multiple which surely is more complex becuase of split flow. Additionaly you would probably need a second operating pump (not stand by) but  operating / swing pump. Additional non automated control can be added but is rather fluid dependant.
The basic code would be rather simple with just an x & y direction and then a cycle of the z and a rotation, but depending on the complexity of the
process additional coding and monitoring of the dispensing  will be required. Timing shoild be reviewed to see if the system provides required output of production.
Just some thoughts on it all, FWIW
RICH

4746

General Mach Discussion / Re: machine produces OVALS instead of CIRCLES???

« on: March 25, 2010, 10:25:26 PM »

What is the best way to check for backlash

Move the axis in one direction some amount, then put an indicator to measure the next move in the same direction ( say 0.500"), now move the axis
in the opposite direction. The indicator should show a travel of  0.500", if it reads 0.498" then the difference is a  backlash of 0.002".
The non-movement on change of direction is backlash and can be due to thrust bearing play or the ball nut.

Do the same for the other axis as well.

RICH

4747

General Mach Discussion / Re: machine produces OVALS instead of CIRCLES???

« on: March 25, 2010, 09:31:22 PM »

M.,
If the steps per unit are correct then it is probably a mechanical problem.

I don't know the extents of out of round you are experiencing. Here is a example for thought:
A rolled ball screw is used and it has a little more gain in one spot as compared to how the steps per units were
set based on say a long move....thus you get a little more inaccuracy from the ball screw, maybe a little backlash, maybe a little inaccuracy
in belts , table movement at spot, etc and summing al it up creates some ovality. So it is a matter do degree of accuracy of the whole machine.


RICH

4748

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turn Eccentric Wizard

« on: March 25, 2010, 12:46:08 PM »

The tool cuts concentricaly about the lathe center, so you need to shift the work.
Thus no wizards.
RICH

4749

LazyTurn / Re: LazyTurn

« on: March 24, 2010, 11:07:07 PM »

ART,
The only inclusion would be tool tip radius. Why couldn't the user pick four points, one where they would start the axis move,
the next is the start point along the dxf profile, the third is where the tool stops along the dxf profile, and then a fourth which is away from the profile along with a direction. The user would use the test tool location to check that the tool is not gouging the work along the selected part. I don't know if you can computer automate what a user can intuitively see so quickly. BTW, if one couldn't do the above then he would split the dxf.

No it's not automated,and tied in with all the other pathing, but at some point it may no longer be feasable to try automating it. Maybe you can even say it is not lazy anymore at that final point.

A profile code is of value since that just gives the user the code and option of manual tool application. For a more advanced user they can extract portions of the code as they wish and add simple moves to and from. On small stuff for instance,I can make a tool which will not gouge the workpiece, a good example is the three balled handle as only a special ground tool ( radiused on both sides and with a point ) will accomplish it using the code of the actual profile.

The above is all divorced from the previous pathing.

Just some thoughts,
RICH
 

4750

Tangent Corner / Re: Gear cutting end mill search

« on: March 24, 2010, 08:48:18 PM »

just get a small dia router bit and cut the profile of the gear in 2D.

That works if it is an accurate machine..........

RICH