Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: kolias on September 02, 2009, 09:42:01 AM
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This is my 1st attempt to use my CNC router to cut a piece of MDF (MDF is something like pressboard but very smooth on both sides)
I’m attaching the DXF and LCAM files here and have set the parameters to the best I can. I will be using a 1/8” upcut straight bit.
Can anyone comment on my settings? Did I miss something?
Nicolas
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If you set Z=0 to the top of your workpiece, it won't cut anything. All your cuts are at Z=0
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If you set Z=0 to the top of your workpiece, it won't cut anything. All your cuts are at Z=0
I changed in LC (Layers), the Cut Depth value to -0.1250 and regenerated the gcode. Is this my problem?
Nicolas
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Sorry, I also changed the Entities
Revised files attached
Nicolas
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Try it using 0.125, NOT -0.125.
I think LazyCAM wants a positive number for depth of cut, as it's now cutting .125 above the part.
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Actually you want it to look like this for the depth in the picture below. Note: I only fooled with the depth so don't look at anything else as an example! ;)
Dave
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Try it using 0.125, NOT -0.125.
I think LazyCAM wants a positive number for depth of cut, as it's now cutting .125 above the part.
The manual says this number should be negative, unless I dont understand something
Nicolas
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A slice of foam insulation board is good instead of MDF for trial runs, it cuts cleanly and you can't snap a cutter in it even if you rapid through it with no spindle on ;)
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Try it using 0.125, NOT -0.125.
I think LazyCAM wants a positive number for depth of cut, as it's now cutting .125 above the part.
I don't use lazyCCAM, but the code you posted is cutting at Z 0.125.
The manual says this number should be negative, unless I dont understand something
Nicolas
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Sorry Gerry, my mistake
I will correct it
Nicolas
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A slice of foam insulation board is good instead of MDF for trial runs, it cuts cleanly and you can't snap a cutter in it even if you rapid through it with no spindle on ;)
Very smart, never thought about it
Nicolas
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On the LC Extends menu if my maximum depth cut is 1/8" what should I put in the Min Z and maximum Z ?
Nicolas
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kolias,
Yes the manual says use a negative number. Z=0 would be the top of the work piece, a negative z will cut into the material and a positive z will be above the material. Of course this is useless if you have you z axis direction reversed.
See section 8.3.4 and also Tutorial #6 about plunge clearance.
RICH
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Thank you RICH
Tutorial #6 did the trick
Nicolas
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Have not been able to do my 1st cut on an MDF piece (see attached files). The router follows my design but when the program runs the router is raised to about 1” above the surface and then it decent to about 1/8” above the surface and stays there until the program ends.
On the setup / postings Options I have set: Plunge clearance = 0.1000 and line number increment = 5
On the layers menu I have set: Tool = 0.125” diameter, Plunge feed = 0.50”/min, Per pass = 0.1250”, Feed Rate = 15.00”/min, Total number = 0.
On the extends menu I have set:
Min X = 0”, Max X = 8”
Min Y = 0”, Max Y = 11”
Min Z = 0.1250”, Max Z = 1”
Can someone tell me where my mistake is?
Thank you
Nicolas
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Kolias,
You have your cut depth at .125 which is "above" the surface of the material.
You'll need to set it to: -.125 as shown in the picture that I posted in reply #5 in this thread but I'll show it here again for you:
(http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12511.0;attach=17227;image)
Dave
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I’m sure I did that, did you see the gcode?
N20 G0 Z1.0000 (rises 1” above surface)
N35 Z0.1000 goes (goes 1 thou below surface)
At least that is how I interpet this
How about the extends, have I set them correctly or they should be in reverse?
Thank you Dave
Nicolas
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No,
N35 Z0.1000 is .1 above the surface
Did you set Z=0 to the top of the workpiece?
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Hi Nicolas,
N35 Z0.1000 goes (goes 1 thou below surface)
.1000 is one hundred thousandths, not one thousandths.
I was looking at your LCam file before and I saw under "Cut Depth" that you have .125 units (it shows in blue text which means it's above the surface).
It should be "-.125 units" in black text which means it will be below the surface.
Now that I'm looking at your gcode, I do not understand you do not have .125 depth anywhere in your GCode. Did you click the "set layer" button in LCam when you input the depth?
Nicolas, where are you located, maybe I can call you and help you with this?
Dave
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Gerry I guess I’m wrong….well what’s new lol
No I did not set Z=0, I don’t see any setting for that in LC but I do set the router bit to touch the work surface and then 0 the DROs. Where do you set the Z=0 in LC?
Ok Dave its 1 hundred thou and now I also learned that blue text is above the surface and black below, glad to know about it. Yes I always click on “set layer” button after I change my settings.
I have input my location in my profile but it doesn’t show when I make a post and I don’t know why either. Goes along with many other things I don’t know lol. I’m located in Montreal, Canada. Thank you Dave, but it is not that important to spend the money on a call. Soon or latter I will get it. Much appreciated
Nicolas
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Hi Nicolas,
No I did not set Z=0, I don’t see any setting for that in LC but I do set the router bit to touch the work surface and then 0 the DROs. Where do you set the Z=0 in LC?
If you look in my picture I posted before, it's right above the "Cut Depth" box ;)
I have input my location in my profile but it doesn’t show when I make a post and I don’t know why either. Goes along with many other things I don’t know lol.
When updating/changing your profile, you have to make sure you click the "Change Profile" button at the bottom of that page.
Dave
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................... but I do set the router bit to touch the work surface and then 0 the DROs. ?
Yes. Jog down until the bit just touches, and zero the Z DRO.
What I do is jog down close, then set the incremental jog to .003, jog until it touches a piece of paper, then zero the DRO. Close enough for me. :)
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Hi Nicolas,
If you look in my picture I posted before, it's right above the "Cut Depth" box ;)
When updating/changing your profile, you have to make sure you click the "Change Profile" button at the bottom of that page.
Dave
Cut Start I set it to 0.00, therefore the Z is set to 0
Also I did click on the "change profile" button but still my location is not shown
Nicolas
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If you set Z=0 to the top of your workpiece, it won't cut anything. All your cuts are at Z=0
ok Gerry so if setting Z=0 to the top of my workpiece is not good, what are you suggesting to set Z to?
Perhaps my problem is on that setting?
Thanks
Nicolas
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That post I made referred to the old code you posted. Setting the top to Z is the correct way to do it. Read my Reply #21.
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Hi Nicolas,
N35 Z0.1000 goes (goes 1 thou below surface)
.1000 is one hundred thousandths, not one thousandths.
I was looking at your LCam file before and I saw under "Cut Depth" that you have .125 units (it shows in blue text which means it's above the surface).
It should be "-.125 units" in black text which means it will be below the surface.
Now that I'm looking at your gcode, I do not understand you do not have .125 depth anywhere in your GCode. Did you click the "set layer" button in LCam when you input the depth?
Nicolas, where are you located, maybe I can call you and help you with this?
Dave
It seems that I’m at a dead end again since all the LC settings are ok but still the router bit hungs 1/8” above the surface of my MDF and therefore can’t do any cutting.
I also have noticed Dave in my gcode that the Z is never below 0.1000”. Is it possible the my LC softaware installation is no good?
Another possible problem could be that in the LC Extends Menu the Min / Max of Z is set at 0.0000”. is this correct?
Any other helpful ideas?
Nicolas
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Nicolas,
Bring your router down such that the tool just touchs the top of the piece. That is Z=0.
In the Layers Tab menu where you set the cutting parameters, set the rapid height to say 1.0 ( LC defaults to this value, the Cut Start at 0.0 and the Cut Depth at MINUS -0.1.
The machine rapids at 1.0 above the work piece, it stops at some location, it then goes down to 0.0 where it thinks the cutting is starting, it then continues .1 below the surface into the material.
Make sure that you are putting the -.1 value in the Cut Depth box and that you hit the enter key on the keyboard.
You should see -.1 in the Cut depth box. Click Set All Layers button as this sets those cutting paramters for all the enabled layers.
Look at the screen display and you should see that the tool is cutting below Z=0. After posting to Mach,and your now in Mach, make sure you reference the axis. Referencing the Z will set Z=0 in Mach. Look at the display in Mach and just go down through the code line by line and you will see all the moves.
Just echoing what has already been posted,
RICH
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Nicolas,
Bring your router down such that the tool just touchs the top of the piece. That is Z=0.
In the Layers Tab menu where you set the cutting parameters, set the rapid height to say 1.0 ( LC defaults to this value, the Cut Start at 0.0 and the Cut Depth at MINUS -0.1.
The machine rapids at 1.0 above the work piece, it stops at some location, it then goes down to 0.0 where it thinks the cutting is starting, it then continues .1 below the surface into the material.
Make sure that you are putting the -.1 value in the Cut Depth box and that you hit the enter key on the keyboard.
You should see -.1 in the Cut depth box. Click Set All Layers button as this sets those cutting paramters for all the enabled layers.
Look at the screen display and you should see that the tool is cutting below Z=0. After posting to Mach,and your now in Mach, make sure you reference the axis. Referencing the Z will set Z=0 in Mach. Look at the display in Mach and just go down through the code line by line and you will see all the moves.
Just echoing what has already been posted,
RICH
Thank you RICH, although I have done all this what I do now is that I printed what you said and will follow it to the dot
Will post back soon results
Thank you
Nicolas
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Wow it worked and my 1st cut was a beautiful thrill, completely amazing.
Here are two cuts I did do get the feel of it (the NFMDF1 was drawn by me in Acad – cut was made on a dirty scrap piece, the Gear1a was downloaded – don’t remember from where). Some fine adjustments are needed because in some places the cut is not perfect
RICH I think the trick was hitting the Enter Key in LC after writing the values, before I was using the mouse to move from field to field. And now I noticed that the -0.125 was in black.
Thank you all guys and sorry for any frustration I may have caused.
Nicolas
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No frustration with us, Nicolas, I just know how hard it is to pick this stuff up, so I can sympathise with you.
So glad you got the beast working! ;)
Dave
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How about a few pics of your whole router table?
Thanks,
Dave