Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: B5 on October 27, 2012, 04:36:11 PM
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Hi there, I'm new to all of this but I just got a Zen Toolworks 12"x12" CNC machine. In Mach3 I've set up all the ports and pins, set soft and hard limits and calibrated the machine. All is running well however when I import my G-code my design, instead of being 80MM x 80MM or so, it's huge, its probably 2.5 x 2.5 feet. I am using artCAM to build the code and have a Post processor for millimetres. Any ideas as to whats going on?
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IS your machine setup in MMs ? Is there a G21 at the start of the Gcode to tell it to use MM ?
IF you command a move of say 80mm does it move exactly 80mm?
Can you post the file so we can look at it.
(;-) TP
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Here it is, the G-code is attached as a PDF, I guess the forum cant upload a .cnc file. There is no G21 at the beginning although I tried to put it after the % and regenerated the toolpath but no luck. Where do I put the G21? And yes I set up Mach3 for millimetres and under the settings tab it is set on MM.
Thanks for your quick reply
Here's the beginning
(%
G91.1
M5 M9
M6 T1
G43 H1
M3 S15000
G0 X40.058 Y58.559 Z5.000
G1 Z-2.000 F720
G1 X85.555 Y58.564 F1200
G0 Z5.000
G0 X85.557 Y58.559
G1 Z-2.000 F720
G1 X62.808 Y97.968 F1200
X40.061 Y58.559...............)
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IF your machine is in MM and the CAM created MM code as it appears then that is not the problem BUT it should have put a G21 at the start to insure it is in Metric mode.
NOW if you command a move from the MDI line say G1 X10 F100. Does it move exactly 10mm?
%
G91.1 G21
M5 M9
M6 T1
G43 H1
M3 S15000
G0 X40.058 Y58.559 Z5.000
G1 Z-2.000 F720
G1 X85.555 Y58.564 F1200
G0 Z5.000
G0 X85.557 Y58.559
G1 Z-2.000 F720
G1 X62.808 Y97.968 F1200
X40.061 Y58.559
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I put in the code but like you said it didn't change anything. I put that G-code into the MDI though and my machine went 10.5 inches!!!!! So something is definitely wrong there.
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YOUR motor tuning settings are off on Steps per MM. Either recalculate them or use the calibrate utility it get it right.
(;-) TP
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Cool, I'll try re-calibrating and let you know
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So tried re-calibrating and nothing changed. It asked how far I want it to move, I put 5 which I assume would be MM, and it moved 5MM so I put that in when it asked me how far it traveled. Then it said that it would change it to 200 (steps a minute I think) and I said OK.
Am I doing that wrong?
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Sounds right. NOW does it move the correct distance when commanded ? does G1X10 F100 = 10mm movement ?
(;-) TP
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No, still 10.5 inches.
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HUM something fishy.
Go to COnfig / native units / what is selected mm or inch?
Go to COnfig/motor tuning what is the Steps per setting on X axis(lower left side of window?
On the main screen to the right of the DROs is there a yellow led blinking ?
Main screen top right DO you see a G20 in the Modal line or a g21?
(;-) TP
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MM is selected
Steps per in the motor tuning is 200
No LED flashing
And Yes there is a G20 in the #s at the to right
Thanks for your help man, I really appreciate it:)
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Oh sorry, its a G21 not a G20 at the top right
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WHen you commanded the machine to move 10mm and it moved 10.5" what did the DROs say it moved ?
(;-) TP
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HAve you found the problem yet?
(;-) TP
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Something must have reset when I tuned my computer off. Your code does now move the machine 10MM:) But my tool-path is still massive. Is there anything else it could be?
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Do you think its the Code? I have a mach3 MM post-processor so it seems like the code should be right. Ive run the code offline and everything seems great, It's just way bigger than its supposed to be.
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Yeeeeeehaaaa!! Awesome, it just dawned on me that I forgot to redo my limits after I calibrated, now all is good. The code wasn't to big, the table was to small. I'm a total dunce. Thanks for your help though man.
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Glad you got it figured out
(;-) TP