Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: bob b on May 16, 2011, 07:14:29 PM

Title: new guys needs guidance
Post by: bob b on May 16, 2011, 07:14:29 PM
HI i am trying to figue out how to use my nm 145 with mach 3 i have downloaded and printed manuals, mach3 cnc controller software instalation and configueration  don,t think it is all of what i should have . I am in need of a operating manual for basic mach 3 like a step by step to do simple machining operations please set me in rite direction someone i feel i made a mistake buying this machine i don't have a clue how to use thought it would not be so hard to learn any help would be greatly appreciated thanks bob b ???
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: Hood on May 16, 2011, 07:18:46 PM
If your machine is moving correctly  then try using some of the wizards to do basic cuts until you get into the swing of things.
The learning curve is steep but you will get there :)
Hood
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: mikee on May 16, 2011, 08:39:31 PM
bob i am in the same boat i dont have my cnc assemble at this point i am still recieving my parts in but i have no clue realy what to do  about setting everything up  i watched some video  3 times to try help me  understand  cam bam  mach3 need a dictionary just for mach3 and cad cam  cam bam lazy cam etc  and all the words that is being said. im not savey enough to know what a wizards is in less they where a pointy hat lol   must be a book at the locol library 
         
                                             mike
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: RICH on May 16, 2011, 08:57:15 PM
Nike and Bob,
Sounds like your both going to have to start reading a lot. Would be helpfull if you had a friend who can give some machining basics.
CNC machinng is not plug and play and there is no short cut to it all. I may add that it can be as simple or complex as you wish.
Crawl for a while and walk before you run and by all means be safe about what you do.
RICH
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: johntech on May 17, 2011, 03:53:51 PM
I have tried a couple wizards in Mach 3 one worked great the other, CUT CIRCLE by Kiran, did not. I entered the X, Y center locations, circle diameter, depth, tool diameter and adjusted the feed settings and Z heights. When I clicked on Post G Code, the toolpath display just displayed a large arc on the screen around the center of my X,Y home settings. I was assuming it would show the circle at the X,Y location.

Here is an example of my settings: X & Y set to 4.0, 1.0 for the circle diameter, 0.50 for the depth and 0.125 for the tool diameter.

I have gotten all the Axis' moving in the right directions and the correct distances. I have hit the regen toolpath button before running the program but nothing changes. Any ideas??
Thanks
John
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: groundhog on May 17, 2011, 09:22:03 PM
Sorry, no help, but maybe a little encouragement;

I was sitting with a new (to me) CNC mill 3 weeks ago without a clue. I could make the axis move and that was about it. I am good with my CAD program in both 2D and 3D (Turbo Cad), very proficient with a computer and have a few years (hobby) experience manual machining.

Since that time I've viewed every video offered by the makers of the 2 new programs I had to learn, Visual Mill and Mach3. I've read each pdf manual and help file from cover to cover and poured over each program's web sites - especially the forums.

This weekend I successfully made 3 simple 2 1/2D parts without error. It is hard to imagine how good that felt. (The first week I drilled 4 3/8 holes in just over 5 hours - and they were not in the right place!). I've just begun the learning process, but feel I've hit an "Ah Ha" point. A lot came together all of a sudden and I'm back to hands on learning and much less frustration.

Like the veterans already said, keep at it, read & study it.

Groundhog
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: johntech on May 17, 2011, 11:18:13 PM
Sorry, no help, but maybe a little encouragement;

I was sitting with a new (to me) CNC mill 3 weeks ago without a clue. I could make the axis move and that was about it. I am good with my CAD program in both 2D and 3D (Turbo Cad), very proficient with a computer and have a few years (hobby) experience manual machining.

Groundhog

So how do you like Turbo Cad? I'm looking for a CAD/CAM package as I'm using Google Sketch-Up to do a project I'm working on. I see TurboCad is on sale for $99 and you get a bunch of training videos with it.

John
Title: Re: new guys needs guidance
Post by: groundhog on May 19, 2011, 07:57:15 AM
Johntech,
A couple of things. With the basic version of TurboCad I don't think you get any 3D capability. That only comes with the higher priced versions (I use Platinum Pro just because I needed it for work - about $1,500). I am able to do everything I need with it at work (mostly 2D) and still able to save some $ over AutoCad.

However, I'm not sure that if I were buying a program to use mainly for Cad/Cam that it is what I would chose, not sure it isn't either. To be honest, I'm not experienced enough with Cad/Cam (just a beginner) to know exactly what would be good. I am just using TurboCad because I have it & there is no learning curve for me to use it. Enough learning with the CAM end of the process!

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Groundhog