Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: k4mg on August 24, 2009, 02:12:29 PM

Title: Problem generating g-code
Post by: k4mg on August 24, 2009, 02:12:29 PM

I have just acquired a Syil C6B lathe, which I have working OK, as long as I cut other peoples g-code.  I cannot get my own code to generate correctly, using LazyCam Turn. 

My process is to create the drawing in V-Carve Pro, and export it as a .dxf file, attached here as http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/DoorPullOriginal.dxf (http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/DoorPullOriginal.dxf).  If I bring it into LazyTURN, it looks OK, see LazyTurn. jpg below:
(http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/LazyTurn.JPG)
 

If I bring the .dxf into LazyCAM, the conversion goes poorly, my error is that there is more than 1 chain. See LazyCamOriginal below:
(http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/LazyCamOriginal.JPG)
 

However, I can still create g-code, which looks like Mach3Original.jpg  in Mach3Turn:
(http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/Mach3Original.JPG)
 

It shows the rounded part, separated from the cone base.



Since the extra chain is part of the rounded ball, I converted the arcs to segments, as shown below in DoorPull.dxf:
http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/DoorPull.dxf (http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/DoorPull.dxf)
It also looks fine in LazyTURN.


When I bring it into LazyCAM, it doesn't give an error message, but it isn't right.  You can see it in LazyCam.jpg below:
(http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/LazyCam.JPG)
And in Mach3.jpg:
(http://www.k4mg.com/Hobbies/CNC/Metalworking/Mach3l.JPG)


If anyone can tell me what I am doing wrong, I would love the help!

Thanks, Barry

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: Chip on August 24, 2009, 07:38:01 PM

Hi, Barry

Setup Mach as in the pic below, That should lose the crop cir's.

LazyCam Turn, Load dxf then Clean, Optomize and drag the Bull's eye back to the right end of cut, Set the Tool as pic 2 and set to all layers button, Then post Code, That should get you a single pass.

Pic 3 shows the Load Tolerance I used for your dxf and a G code file from LazyCam.

If you need more final passes, You'll need to insure the direction arrow's are set properly and play with it some more.

Hope this helps, Chip

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: k4mg on August 25, 2009, 07:01:42 AM

Chip,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I am almost there, but for two problems with your instructions:
Drag the bulls eye back.  I don't have a bulls eye after I optimize.  Does Reset Origin do the same thing?  I have setup tolerances per your info.
I can setup the tool and send to all layers, but I don't see it in the tool list to select when I click the Select Roughing tool, or Select Finishing tool.

I guess a new question:  I only get one pass, I produce both a roughing and finishing pass, and think I have it set to generate several roughing passes, but I only get one, just as in yours.  The only difference between my and your g-code is that as the last instruction, my tool goes to zero, runing the piece.  I can manually edit it out.

Thanks for all the help, you are saving my day.  I am trying to make 6 cabinet doorpull stanchions for a cabinet a friend made.

Barry

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: RICH on August 25, 2009, 07:26:36 AM

Barry,
Welcome to a learning curve.
I would suggest you use LazyTurn to generate the rough passes and then use Lazycam Turn to generate the
finish passes. There are manuals for each in the Members  Doc's. As far as the arc's  / grop circles go there is a tutorial in Members Docs that covers Arc Motion for the Lathe, It provides a lot of information, comparisons, and even example files to run. Just remember this, the lathe will cut what the gcode / display shows even though it may not make practical sense ( yes, you can cut the crop circle).

Have fun,
RICH

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: RICH on August 25, 2009, 07:39:14 AM

Barry,
I assume you know that you can delete unwanted chains and also connect entities in LC.
RICH

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: k4mg on August 25, 2009, 07:55:06 AM

Rich,

Thanks, but...  When I try to generate g-code in LT, it says it can't find the file, and gives me a blank notepag file, which is empty.  I have been assuming LT won't generate g-code.  I have 3.00.2 of LC, and the latest of LT.  ???

Thanks, Barry

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: RICH on August 25, 2009, 08:05:16 AM

LT will generate the gcode and also post the code to a textfile.
Are you getting the typical Windows pop up? Need to save as and give the file a name!
RICH

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: k4mg on August 28, 2009, 09:42:23 AM

Rich,

I do all that, and LT saves an empty file.  If i start with a existing .tap file, I get the old file, unchanged.  I am using Vista, and think this is the problem.  I took LT to another Vista machine, same result.  Tried on an XP machine, and everything works fine.  I am going to post my details on the LT topic.

With regard to my original post about using LazyCam, using Chip's settings, and NOT using the Turn Dialog, everything works to create a one pass finish profile.  Using XP and LazyTurn, I created the roughing passes successfully.  I am attaching my result, turned in wood as practice.

Thanks Chip and Rich for the help!

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: RICH on August 28, 2009, 09:47:44 AM

I don't use Vista, only XP, so can't relate to the problem.
At least you got it working.
RICH

Title: Re: Problem generating g-code
Post by: Chip on September 01, 2009, 04:34:58 PM

Hi, Dennis

Hears the LCam3.00.2.exe

Chip