Messages

1171

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to this any help please

« on: September 15, 2015, 06:30:44 AM »

Knowing CAD will be of value.

I would recommend that you start your learning by viewing  the Mach 3 videos to get a flavor of how Mach3 is used.

Read the Mach Mill Manual.

Purchase CNC Machining Handbook by Peter Smid, read / study  the first 100 pages or so, then continue reading it for
 what applies to the Mill.

Then  go back and re- read Mill Manual and pay attention to the gcode section.

Have a look at Sheet Cam for using the Plasma and the gcode generated..

Plasma machine operates differently than a mill or router and has it's quirks. You need an understanding of how the machine
operates.

The above will move you along the learning path.  

As far as a plasma machine is concerned talk to someone who has knowledge of plasma cutting.
General CNC concepts apply to all CNC machines, but as said, each machine is different in use.

Enjoy the learning, CNC is not "plug and play", and there are no short cuts, so simply said:
Know before you go

RICH

1172

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to this any help please

« on: September 14, 2015, 09:05:35 PM »

Do you have any knowledge of CNC, CAD, CAM, etc?

RICH

1173

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: plugin/wizard/external editor to automatically organise and edit tp-files

« on: September 10, 2015, 09:13:53 AM »

Here something you may want to consider since all you want to do is piece various existing code together.
So to speak..........
Your programing friend can manipulate / use some generic programing to accomplish it.

Would work like this:
1. Select  from a list, directory, whatever the existing gcode files
2. Backplot selected  files from created  list into CAD such that they would be on different layers / levels / color etc.
3. Now you can see what needs to be modified or moved, or adjusted
4. Generate the gcode for the new file which would take care of the things you want to do, or optionally generate a new file type
to be used by CAD/CAM or whatever.

This above has already been done by some, so with a LOT of work your friend can create something for you, BUT, he will need to understand
what he is doing beyond just knowing how to program. There is no short cut to learning gcode.

help me with the correct syntax

The correct coding format for Mach3 can be found in the Mach Manual. Read that section of the manual.

how to add the codes into the existing headers

You  may  just code the first line or add additional lines so that part of the code could be run based
on current modal conditions and use an offset if code is based on a different setup.
Now be realistic in what you are asking ....... How in the heck are we to tell you exactly  what to do when we have no idea of your code
and the basis of it. 

-for global offsets (x/y/z)

The correct code format is in the manual. I gave you basic info for understanding but you probably didn't even read it.

-how to summarize correctly

Don't know what you are asking. Summarize what?

pause between parts at a to lchange position or with autostart

You could code (G4 P) a dwell and have a LED blink warning you that a tool change is manually being done and
a counter is showing you how much time you have left to do it. OR After the defined pause time just hit the start button the code will
continue to run.    Be carefull! Safety is important. See how others address tool changing / do macros. Lots of stuff posted.


Enjoy the learning curve,

RICH

1174

General Mach Discussion / Re: Right settings form CNC3040??

« on: September 08, 2015, 10:33:33 PM »

I would think that the maker of CNC3040 would have a set up guide or an xml file to be used
for  MACH3.

I can't provide any additional help for  any of  those Chinese controllers.
Maybe someone else will chime in.

RICH

1175

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: plugin/wizard/external editor to automatically organise and edit tp-files

« on: September 08, 2015, 10:19:56 PM »

Hey...hey  there TP,

I thought you were joking about the BoardCad. 
Darn there is free program for it and andiabel should have a look.

andiabel,
Posted  basic info you need to understand about global offsets. Read and apply the knowledge if even needed.
I may also suggest that you  purchase CNC Programing Handbook by Smid.
More info on gcode in that book and how to use it than any guidance that we can provide.

RICH

1176

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why Is this happening?

« on: September 08, 2015, 10:02:00 PM »

Hmm...thought it was 6 ipm also

I will need to check something in ver 62 as I have noticed, but ignored while testing my screen set, that  at times that a slow feedrate
occurs,  when,  "I think" I have used the mpg and then want to rapid jog. So his use of the mpg in the script kind of rang a bell.
I may be all wet......but will try to check it out.


RICH

 
 

1177

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: plugin/wizard/external editor to automatically organise and edit tp-files

« on: September 08, 2015, 09:59:36 AM »

Think I agree with TP on using CAD / CAM to do.

I aware of, but do not use Rhino or Madcam, so can't be of any help on their application.

Sometimes it's easier to just adjust a base design than to try to piece together and modify a bunch of stuff. You spend more time fixing than creating new.
The high end software is costly and I am going to assume that is not in your budget.

Sorry no simple answer to your complex desire.

BTW,
There are some  25000 users of this site and maybe someone will surprise you. Just never know...........

RICH

1178

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: plugin/wizard/external editor to automatically organise and edit tp-files

« on: September 08, 2015, 09:38:34 AM »

where do i insert a global offset of let's say +5mm in x y or z direction and how would the correct spelling be? would that be the same for mach 3 and 4?

First have an understanding of offsets, the attached should help, but only you can know where to put it.

RICH

1179

Tangent Corner / Re: Machining Al-7075 and deformations

« on: September 08, 2015, 09:20:59 AM »

FWIW,

All metal has internal built in stresses. So if you remove material from one side then remove the piece from a restrained position something is going to happen
ie; may cup, twist, deflect one way or another. You just never know what will happen as it is somewhat shape dependant! In a similar way, machining a rather deep slot  can in material may alter the ability of remaining material to maintain shape.

So material can be sent out to stress relieved, normalized,  can be aged, and even then it may or can spring some.

Just as a true example, we were machining large Al plates that would be sent out to be top and bottom ground ( 6' x 6' x 4" to 6" thick)
and were machined to be parallel and flat to about 0.003" before being sent out to be ground. They were stress relieved before machining. Took a lot of money, material, and time / testing to figure out the machining sequence and how much material should be removed.  

So I would suggest the following:
Rough out to remove the bulk of material, but leave some material to adjust post checking what is happening to the piece ... removed from hold down to check.
Then machine a new reference flat surface. Continue machining. The smaller the change in dimensions from machining one could expect smaller
change to the piece from flat reference. You may want to go in steps and refine as machining is progressed.
If the flat surface of the  piece will be bolted down to a mating  flat surface, the force to deflect the machined piece may be acceptable, so the sprung
part may be acceptable.

FWIW,
RICH
 
 

1180

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why Is this happening?

« on: September 08, 2015, 07:42:35 AM »

George,

Where is the feed rate for G00 set?

G00 - the max feedrate will be limited by the max Velocity  setting in motor tuning  
Note that an axis can be defined as linear and rotary.

G94  & G95 are correct for Mach3. See the manual for Mach's definition of G98 & G99. There are differences in the Gcode definitions
between manufactures and some manufacture Gcodes are specific to that manufacturer.

What version of Mach are you using?
What / who's screen set are you using?
May want to post you xml file.

RICH