Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 10:04:55 AM

Title: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 10:04:55 AM
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?
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: Hood on January 14, 2012, 10:08:52 AM
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
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 10:17:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 11:19:53 AM
Don't laugh at my primitive coding; it worked and made me a few dollars. ;D
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: Hood on January 14, 2012, 11:42:59 AM
Looks similar here, what is it meant to look like?
Could you possibly have X and Z mixed up?
Hood
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on January 14, 2012, 12:13:50 PM
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.
Title: Re: Toolpath display question in Turn
Post by: Hood on January 14, 2012, 02:27:11 PM
Ah Ok, its normal to have X0 on centre of the lathe and Z0 on end of stock.
Hood