Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 10:04:55 AM
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Hi all, new user/purchaser...trying to muddle my way forward. Great program & forum!;D
So far all of my CNC'ing has been in Turn and has been modification/repair work on existing parts with the code being handwritten from CAD drawing coordinates until I get better at the wizards and/or LazyTurn.
I have had to touch off & zero on an external feature of the parts with the x-axis zero point nowhere near the spindle centerline. The toolpath display screens on most are rather bizarre and I have trouble determining if the path "looks right" before hitting cycle start. Is there any way to offset the display screen's zero point?
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Toolpaths usually look fine for me in Turn, heres an example of a random one. Can you post a screenshot of what you see and also attach the code.
Hood
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Wow, that were quick!
It's cold as a well digger's behind here (by my standards anyway) and I'm waiting for the shop to heat up a bit before venturing out there. I'll post back in bit.
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Don't laugh at my primitive coding; it worked and made me a few dollars. ;D
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Looks similar here, what is it meant to look like?
Could you possibly have X and Z mixed up?
Hood
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Could you possibly have X and Z mixed up?
I don't think so. X in the minus direction moves the tool towards spindle centerline, Z minus moves the tool towards the chuck. That's correct, yes?
I just figured it was because the toolpath screen was referenced to X0 always being spot on spindle centerline. Siince this part has X0 about 1/2" away from center, it looks funny. The path was fine and the part was successfully modified. It's a model helicopter engine cyl. head "button" that needed .048" removed from the 6 deg "squish band" portion and .048" from the flange where the cyl. seats to reduce combustion chamber volume/increase compression ratio. Just a series of roughing/fine face cuts on an angle followed by a move over then the facing rough/fine cuts on the flange.
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Ah Ok, its normal to have X0 on centre of the lathe and Z0 on end of stock.
Hood