Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: TrevorH on February 22, 2009, 07:40:47 PM

Title: M3 Turn toolpath display screen
Post by: TrevorH on February 22, 2009, 07:40:47 PM
Hello, I am very new to Mach 3 turn, and I am having what seems to be a common previously discussed problem.  The toolpaths shown in the display window are often very small, and unusable.  Other times they will be just right, and be easially zoomed to the desired level.  Sometimes the entire toolpath is so small that it only appears as a single line thru the middle of the display box.  I have this problem about 70% of the time and it seems to happen with both imported, or loaded code, as well as code created with the wizzards.  I have the newest lockdown release (.020).  After doing some reading here and on yahoo it seems that the problem wasn't present in older versions.  I would like to try an older version, but the only other one aviliable for download is 1.90, and while looking over the revision log it seems that alot has changed between the two versions.  I am looking for suggestions as to how I could fix the problem-(if possible), or someone that has a slightly older version without the problem that they would be willing to email to me.  I would really like to be able to see what is going to happen toolpath wise before I hit that cycle start button :o!  Thanks for the help!
Title: Re: M3 Turn toolpath display screen
Post by: DAlgie on February 23, 2009, 12:09:17 AM
The toolpath displays all of your path programmed. So, if you have a rapid from a long distance one time and another time have the rapid close to your workpiece, the path is shorter, making the display of the part itself much larger. Click on the window and then hold and drag the mouse and it will zoom in or out. (Or use the scroll wheel if you have one)
  DaveA.
Title: Re: M3 Turn toolpath display screen
Post by: TrevorH on February 23, 2009, 09:39:34 AM
Dave, thanks for the quick responce, and I appreciate the input.  What you say makes sense, however I am only dealing with toolpath and rapid lengths of a few inches.  I have programmed several paths within the wizzards, for example a outside fillet where the toolbit was allready set to z-0, x-diameter-say 1 inch.  the bit was physically parked less than a quarter inch from the orgin, and yet the programmed path is just too small to clearly see.  I have used both methods to zoom on two diffirent computers with both kinds of mice, and there is no diffirence in how far I can zoom-not far enough.  Other toolpths such as the wizzard for taper display perfectly which makes it all the more frustrating.  Thanks again for the suggestions.
Title: Re: M3 Turn toolpath display screen
Post by: Hood on February 23, 2009, 10:46:12 AM
There are lots of issues with Turn, the extents being one of them, you will probably find that on the toolpath displays that you are not able to zoom into the extents will be way out of whack.
 Brian is supposed to be working on Turn next, hopefully starting in the next week or two, so if you can hang on for a bit longer :) If you want to try older versions you will find some on the ftp site.
ftp://ftp.machsupport.com/Mach/

Hood
Title: Re: M3 Turn toolpath display screen
Post by: TrevorH on February 23, 2009, 12:44:43 PM
Hood, thanks for the responce.  it is good to know that the problem is aknowledged, and will be looked at, that is what has always made this software so great.  Thanks for the time, and I will be patient for updates.  Thanks again