Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: muddy0409 on November 24, 2011, 10:03:26 AM

Title: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 24, 2011, 10:03:26 AM
Hello all.
I have just done my first engraving test.
Everything appears fine on the CAD drawing and in the gcode that loads into mach3.
I have the word TEST in 25mm letters, centered on both X & Y
But. On the toolpath display only EST is showing. When I start the run, thats all that the machine engraves and it is certainly NOT in 25mm letters.I feel it is something to do with scaling, but cannot see anything in config that fixes the problem.
BTW when it stops engraving partly through the "E" there is still plenty of Gcode not run. This makes me think that the gcode is correct.
Any hints? ???

Thanks, in advance.
Muddy0409
(up the bush, in outback Australia)
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Hal on November 24, 2011, 10:32:39 AM
Post the Gcode so we can take a peek.
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: fixittt on November 24, 2011, 12:24:28 PM
scaling is next to the dros at the top  If it says scale 1 then your ok.

have you checked to make sure that your machine runs the correct distance?  calibrated the steps per?
Is the native units in inches or mm`s?

When it stops running, is there an estop or any other message in the status line at the bottom?
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Hood on November 24, 2011, 01:19:27 PM
Unlikely this is the issue but if you are in Demo mode you can only run 500 lines of code.
Hood
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 24, 2011, 10:33:14 PM
I RTFM (again) last night.
I think it's a config problem as per Fixitt's reply above.
So guess what I'm doing today?

Muddy0409
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 27, 2011, 03:20:24 AM
Righto, I've done lots of playing and reading.
Scaling on all axes is 1.0
It will load any gcode files I generate.
I have generated "TRY" and "READY" as test texts to play with, both 25mm high.
However, "TRY" appears on the toolpath screen ok. "READY" only displays as "ADY"
When I run the "TRY" engraving, which should be 25mm lettering, X axis comes out ok, Y axis is only about 1/3 of what it should be.
Running the "READY" engraving, it scales it the same as above and stops part through the script.
Offsets are all set at 0

Are there any limitations on the demo software that would be doing this??

Thanks,
Muddy0409
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Hood on November 27, 2011, 03:23:03 AM
as said above 500 line limit to code in demo.
For the "scaling" issue that is likely your steps per unit not set correctly.
Hood
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 27, 2011, 04:36:13 AM
Hi Hood.
Code very short for then "TRY" a bit longer for "READY", haven't counted lines though. (Will count, just in case)
The other bits are set as per manufacturer's listing.

muddy0409
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Hood on November 27, 2011, 04:53:36 AM
Well you are either losing steps or manufacturers settings are wrong or you have  different microsteps set on that axis.
Hood
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 27, 2011, 05:08:58 AM
muddy,

What software are you using to generate the code for your text ??

Could you post your GCode file ??

Tweakie.
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 27, 2011, 07:06:06 AM
Using Cut2d
I am thinking that the setup for the steps is wrong.
Can't exactly say why I think this, but I'm going to do my own learning procedure to check the manufacturer's figures.

muddy.

Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 27, 2011, 07:51:06 AM
Okie Doke.
I have just altered the setup to a random increase and there was a change in the swept area, so looks like I gotta do some real calibration tomorrow.
Looks like that takes care of the sizing problem, but the failure in the not loading all the text still is there. Although I drew a rectangle wider than the "READY" text size and that imported correctly??
Gotta do some more tomorrow.

muddy.
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 27, 2011, 07:55:19 AM
Looks like you are doing OK on your own and making progress.  ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 29, 2011, 08:31:33 AM
AAAaaarrrrggggghhhhh!
The 500 line limit appears to be the problem!!!
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 29, 2011, 10:37:33 AM
Just a suggestion http://www.machsupport.com/purchase.php

Tweakie.
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: muddy0409 on November 29, 2011, 12:02:24 PM
Yeah Tweak, I'll be doing that as soon as I get a bit of sleep and get over being an idiot! (Again)

Muddy
Title: Re: First time engraving question
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 29, 2011, 12:37:06 PM
Hey buddy, don't do yourself down, we have all been there - in my case many times.

There are a number of test programs which are below the 500 line limit here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,18345.0.html these may be helpful in setting up and trying out your machine etc.

Tweakie.