Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: JDLopez65 on July 09, 2024, 11:22:12 PM
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I have a vertical milling center, X&Y on the table and Z on the column. I'm running Mach 4.2 V5036 (very recently upgraded from V4809) and ESS v285. Bone stock screen set. The part I'm trying to make is a simple knob for a spindle lock I'm working on.
When I load the G-Code the tool paths show oriented correctly in all of the Tool Path windows HOWEVER, when I run the G-Code (Cycle Start) the machine is moving along a tool path that seems mirrored and flipped. For example I'm expecting the table to move in the X+ direction (as shown in the tool path) but it moves in the X- direction. Same for the Y Axis. The Z-Axis is behaving correctly. Interestingly enough though, when I Jog the axes around (using MDI or just the Jog buttons) they move as expected.
I am new CNC'ing so Im suspect I've set something up incorrectly somewhere. I've tried two different CAM packages to create my G-Code and both result in the same behavior.
Any help or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
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Remember that tool path motion is showing the motion of the cutter relative to the work piece. For a typical bed mill this will mean that in order for the cutter to move to the right (X+ motion) in the work, the cutter head sits still and the table of the mill will move to the left.
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So to correct my error I would "Reverse" the motor direction in the motor setup in Mach? Is that correct?
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Yes, that is the most common way to do it. In order to keep my sanity while dealing with this sort of issue I rely on the on-screen DRO increasing in value to prove that the axis is moving in the + direction as Mach understands it, while confirming that the apparent physical motion of the cutter in the work piece is also moving in the + direction.
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Well heck...that didn't help! Going to try to uninstall Mach and reinstall the previous version! >:(