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« on: October 04, 2011, 10:42:26 AM »
THe easiest way to master getting tthe table to move at YOUR request is to work with the MDI (Manual Direct Input)line. There is a short Gcode manual on here somewhere that is a printout of the REFERENCES in the Mach3 screen. That way you can read the code for the manual and type it in the MDI line.
Move to a spot on the table and reset the X/Y axis's to 0,0. Now using the manual as an example to reference the code. Start inputing code 1 line or piece at a time. Input say G1 x2 F10 and see what happens. The first moves I teach are G1's all around the table THEN figure OUT how to get back home. First you play in ABS mode then you switch to INC mode.
Working with Gcode is really like talking to a 3 year old. Go over here,now move to over there, ok now go back to the other spot. The machine can ONLY go where you tell it to.
NOW when you get the G1's down pat Move to the G2/3's and learn to make arcs and make them go where you want them to go. Easy to make the arc NOT SO easy for it to go where it is suppose to go(;-).
Now you have the basic's for gcode Basically ALL mach3 can do is lines and arcs. Trick is it can do 6 axis all at the same time(;-).
Once you get the basics and it goes WHERE you tell it and when. Start stringing LINES of code together to do simple things. Squares cicles triangles,etc,etc.
THEN before you know it you are running monster programs and wondering what all the fuss was about.(;-)
The order of progression from there(Mach3 Gcode) is to master the Drawing side(CAD) then the converting side (CAM) and then roll them all into one process CNC. IF you can work with them ALL at thesame time great BUT if not then work with ONE element until you can do basic thing well then add in another element,get it working and then on to the next. Most people cannot learn it all at the same time. and get discouraged and leave CNC (;-(.
Please know it takes TIME and patience to get to a full blown CNCer. AND a lot stilll after many years are not masters at ALL elements. You learn what you can to be able to make things and then fine TUNE the processes that YOU require to make it work for YOU.
AND there is really no RIGHT or WRONG way as long as you understand how YOU need to do it so it makes sense to YOU.
You know where to find us if you get stuck,(;-) TP ( also a Florida Boy)