Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: eugenejohn on June 18, 2011, 10:10:13 AM
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When I draw an outline in Aspire, and transfer the resultant G code into Mach3 holes in the centre of an outline are shown as large diameter circles
I have tried several different outlines but the holes always come out as large circles not small diameter outlines that show in Vectric Aspire.
Thanks in anticipation
Eugene.
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Change the IJ mode, best done in G Code but can also be done on General Config page.
Hood
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Thanks Hood you have solved my problem. Your knowledge of programming is outstanding. This is the second time you have helped me.
Thank you very much.
Eugene
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Ha ha nothing could be further from the truth, my programming skills are basic at best ;D
Hood
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Far too modest Hood.
You help us all a lot more than you perhaps think.
Tweakie.
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Hood,
Its eugene again I am sorry to have to draw on your expertise again, but you solved one problem with my copy of Mach 3, now I have another problem.!!!
Mach3 will not stay in inches, it keeps reverting to metric, and it refuses to change to inches. This is a problem as all my code is all in inches.
Sorry to ask for your help again so soon.
Very best wishes.
eugene.
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Can you attach your xml please, that will probably be the easiest and quickest way for me to try and find the problem.
Hood
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Hood,
I cannot thank you enough for offering your help. I think that the Mach 3 program must be corrupted. The trouble is that the computer that runs Mach3 is not connected to the internet. I was misguided by running it under Windows 7. Also I am elderly and struggling with MY memory and the program.
Anyway I am attaching the xml file for you to have a look at.
Thanks,
Eugene.
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Seems to be in Inch mode here, if you look top right of the screen you will see G20. Could your code possibly have a G21 at the start? That would change it to Metric.
Hood
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The program does not have either a G20 or G21. I think that Mach3 itself has been corrupted, what do you think?
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Well the xml you attached looks fine so next thing to try is go to MDI, zero the X DRO and then command a G0X1 from the MDI line, does it move 1mm or 1 inch?
If it is just moving 1mm then could there be a possibility of your steps per unit being set wrong, they look rather low for an Imperial machine.
Hood
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Hood,
Your answer to my last email showed me what was wrong. When I checked the steps per, the X axis gave mm but the other 2 axis were correct in inches. When I Iooked at motor tuning the X axis was set to 800 steps, which was obviously wrong.
I reset it to 8000 with an acceleration of 17.09375 and reset the step pulse from 5 to 3.
Do you have recommendations for these settings? But at least the machine works now, thanks to you.
Regards,
Eugene.
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Your steps per unit are a fixed amount, you need to calculate them or use the auto calculate. The former way will be as accurate as your hardware, the latter only as accurate as your measuring.
To calc you need to know the microstepping of the drives, any gearing between screw and motor and lastly the pitch of the screws.
Hood
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Hi Eugene,
If it's any help, Al's excellent little calculator is here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16315.0.html
Tweakie.
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Thanks Tweakie CNC,
Everyone on this site is so helpful to a newby,
But I am sorry to be so thick.but I cannot understand the calculator.
My machine has a 5mm pitch leadscrew but I program in imperial.
What is the steps per?
Eugene.
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You need to also tell me the microstepping your drives are set to and if there is any gearing between the motor and screw?
Hood
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Hi everybody,
I have got my problems sorted out at last, and the machine is working OK.
I contacted John Stevenson who developed the original kit for the X3 mill and he gave me the settings.
I would like to thank everybody for their interest in my problems, and particularly Hood for his patience with my failure to understand.
Regards,
Eugene.
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Good to hear you are sorted :)
Hood