Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards => Topic started by: Ron Ginger on February 10, 2009, 09:03:22 PM
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I have completed a new version of the CopyCat wiard. There are several interesting changes.
1) Z movements have been changed. It occurred to me you would not want to make actual Z Movements while you were probing a part, but you obviously need to make Z moves in the code. So I have added a Zup and Zdown button. There is a DRO for a safeZ and for a Z depth. Pressing these buttons will enter the Gcode, Zup will do a G00 to Z 'safeZ' while Z down will first do G00 to 10% of the Zsafe value, then do a G01 to the Zdown value.
2) I added a Cancel button to the arc commands. I think I have fixed the issues about getting into arc mode and not being able to get out.
3) I have added a second screen with Probe functions. This will use a touch probe and find an edge in either of the 4 directions, or it will find a circle center. If you wanted to find a corner you could first find one edge, which will save the last probed value, then find the second edge.. Finally, RAISE THE PROBE above the work and click the GoTo Probed value button. You could then return to the main screen and use that location for one of the movement commands.
I also added the code from German Bravos Circle Center wizard. If you dont have a touch probe you can still find the center of a circle by this method. Note you can combine the center finding, using the 3 point calculations, but finding the location by an X or Y probe move.
I improved the Help file, but its still a long way form the Manual Rich wrote. Sorry Rich, I made all these changes just after you wrote your manual!
The code is below, just unzip the file into the Mach3\Addons folder.
Any feedback is welcome, hope you like the changes
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Ron,
Happy about the changes and will test it out. Got the video camera tweaked, Xbox for moving around, but stiill need
a wide screen and confortable chair when using Copycat.
Don't worry about the manual as i stopped in anticipation of changes. I'll update it to include the latest info when i get time.
RICH
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How's that for listening to the feedback!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe it. Ask if a centre finding wizard can be incorporated and three days later there it is. ;D
I just had to tweek the screen set a bit.
Need to keep things off the bottom of a 1024 x 768 layout to leave room for those who maintain the windows task bar.
Great stuff Ron. I can see me getting some use out of this one.
Greg
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An updated CopyCat Manual was posted in the members docs. It reflects the latest CopyCat version.
Any comments, feel free to post.
Appendix work still required, like making a probe and configuiring it in MACK, vidoe camera modifications,
and a quiick and dirty tutorial.
I tried out the three point centering using a video camera and must admit it works great.
Very good additions Ron.
Will see how long it takes to capture a profile for lathe turning, manipulate CopyCat's generated code and see how it turns out. Just a little off the wall use of a new toy!
RICH
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REV C of the CopyCat manual was posted in members docs.
A new section ( 5.7.5 FULL CIRCLE / page 8 ) was added which explains how a Full Circle can be done.
Post any comments and suggestions you may have.
RICH
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HEY RON how about a utlity that can take a collection of points and convert them to lines and arcs.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Here is a probe i made for trying Copycats hole centering addition. Using the video camera works very well, but
i wanted to try the other way. The probe was made such that you can make probe tips of a shape that suites you,
thus the tip is removable. Runout when placed into a Albrecht chuck is 0.001". The how to make and use will be an appendix in the CopyCat manual.
RICH
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Here is a pic of my tweaked video camera. Magnification is about 10x. The quarter gives you an idea of size.
The how to modify will be an appendix in the CopyCat manual.
RICH
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What camera is that from Rich?
Thanks,
Dave
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DAVE,
Bought it at Radio Shack "Gigaware" $19.
RICH
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Hi All,
I have posted an appendix to the CopyCat Manual which covers probing.
Here is the link.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,10498.msg66486.html#msg66486
I would appreciate any comments you may have. If you want to add to the appendix please
post in this thread. Hopefull there will be no "bent" probes.
The next appendix will be on using a video camera. Once that is done then there will
be a tutorial which covers combined use of video and probing.
RICH
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Hi All,
I have posted an appendix to the CopyCat Manual which covers info on a video camera and how to do the modifications.
Here is the link.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,10498.msg66486.html#msg66486
I would appreciate any comments you may have.
If you have a web cam or camera which did not work in the Video Plug in.
Please post the model, manufacturer or some info so i can put it in the manual.
Also listing of ones used and worling would also be nice.
Next and last will be a tutorial which covers combined use of video and probing and getting
gcode out of it.
RICH
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I have updated and reposted Copycat Manual Rev 0 in the members docs.
The manual is complete in the sense that all the appendixes are now included.
The manual will not be revised any time soon, in the future yes, but for now I think it has enough information to get someone trying CopyCat up and running.
RICH
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Hi,
Where can I buy the COPYCAT software
Jord
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Copycat is listed as one of the Wizards and is part of New Fangled solutions so a License for Mach3 Add-ons is required to save the code.
Click the Purchase tab at the top of the screen.
RICH
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Hi Rich,
Do you have a link to there site????
Gr. Jord
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http://www.newfangledsolutions.com/products.php
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Hi,
I do all my probing with a touch probe, but for copying a 2d part with copy cat I'm thinking a little camera as described in the copy cat manual would be quick and accurate enough for many jobs. The camera write-up doesn't say anything about the auxiliary lens, power, size, where to buy, etc.
Anyone help??
Ozzie
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Ozzie,
"Any" magnifying lens will do. I had few lenses in the junk box and selected one that would give me a resonable working distance. The more maginification the closer the working distance if I recall correctly. You can order lenses but will probably cost more than the web camera. Make sure the web camera has a maual adjustable focus. Most of the cheap ones do..... ;)
RICH
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I am a waterjet operator and OEM manufacturer of 3d CNC machines.
Why cant I find a place to buy CopyCat?
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CopyCat is part of the package called the mill add-os by Newfangled Solutions. One license, for $50 gets you the wizards, copycat, powerfeed and the NFSturn package.
see http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3-addons-for-mill/
If you want to sell them as an OEM you will need to talk to Scott or Brian, try license@machsupport.com to initiate the discussion. We have done special packages for OEMs
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I need CopyCat to record a,b,c axis also. Is there any workaround?
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Sorry that would be much more complicated than this wizard can do.