Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 09:06:47 PM

Title: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 09:06:47 PM
I have a deceptively simple milling job I’m trying to do with LazyCAM for my Taig mill. 4 round holes and a square slot in a rectangular faceplate.

I have synchronised LazyCAM and Mach3 tooling (I’m using one 6mm end mill for everything).

What seems to be happing is that LazyCAM is generating spurious or incorrect G-Code for the leadin for the round holes. The tool plunges, shoots off at 90 degrees to the leading, then comes back and mills a nice circle as it should do.

Anyone know what is going on, is this a bug or some knid of noobish behaviour on my part? 

F1.0 is so i could watch whats going on. Its usually F625.0, im working in metric and milling plastic
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 09:55:19 PM
What are your leadin settings ?
I used the following and it worked well on my home PC.
I used 3 units for the rectangular opening.
Good luck,
RC
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 10:16:02 PM
6 mm tool and 4.75 mm leadins. However I don't have the Pro version and don't have a functioning offset tab. Is this necessary for this kind of milling operation?

I get error messages regarding tool and arc radius in Mach3 with such circular short leadins... "Tool radius not less that arc radius with compLine 13"

N70 G3  X24.6820  Y13.1205  I24.9989  J12.6407

Intriguingly if i add arc leadins of 1 mm to all layers with my 6mm tool i get the following image. As if the original straight leadin gets a leadin of its own... I think this is the problem.
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 10:36:12 PM
Yes, I believe you need the lic.
I ran you file through mine and it seems to run fine.
Try the one I sent.
RC
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 10:44:26 PM
Looks like now you are leading in with a circle to your original straight lead in. One or the other...not both.
You have to delete the straight one if you want to use the circular one.
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 10:46:28 PM
Im getting the same behaviour with your file. Did your run it? Running it live or as a simulation creates those odd spikes.

What i get with Overlords tap file ....
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 10:56:44 PM
Looks like now you are leading in with a circle to your original straight lead in. One or the other...not both.
You have to delete the straight one if you want to use the circular one.

Yeah managed to get rid of the second leadin but got back to the old problem i had with circular leadins on the small holes: "Tool radius not less that arc radius with compLine 13" line : N70 G3  X22.4029  Y11.6154  I22.8827  J11.9322

Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 11:07:18 PM
Your original file runs perfectly here.
OK  one more thing to check.
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 11:16:43 PM
Exactly same setting for Motion Mode, Distance Mode and IJ Mode. I only get the radius problem when my Mach3 tool 1 is a 6mm end mill with a 4mm (and i presume smaller) it works (when the leadin radius is 4mm NOT with 1mm) but I'd like to use 6 mm tooling as I have a 6mm slot mill which is ideal for this job and I dont really want to use 4mm if i can help it.

Anyhow Id really like to understand what LazyCAM / Mach3 is doing here. Because it does not look right.
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 11:43:29 PM
It could possibly be because you don't have the lic. file.
I remember when I did not have it, it would not post any code at all.
Not consistently anyway.


Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 27, 2008, 11:45:57 PM
LOL the whole reason I was testing it was to see if I would buy it ...

I get similar problems with spiky over cut on 45 degree leadins but circular ones do seem ok BUT only when i use a small 4 mm tool and largish 4mm leadin.

Bizarre.. any official word on whats happening?
Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Overloaded on February 27, 2008, 11:59:51 PM
LOL (even louder..)That's where the catch 22 is.
I suggested a free full featured trial period...so people could try it out in it's full form before deciding to buy. Maybe 30 days like many others do.
It didn't fly...So I went ahead and bought it.
It's cheap for what it does.
It's just a learning tool for me.
I'd say its worth it.
RC

Title: Re: Wierd Leadin problem
Post by: Optintegra on February 29, 2008, 12:09:33 AM
Looks like the easiest thing for me to do is generate the original files with offset compensation for a 3mm radius mill in AutoCAD and use tool 0 in LazyCAM unless anyone knows whats going on here?