Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: jimglass on April 06, 2014, 07:21:17 PM
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I'm getting along fine with Mach3turn but Mach3turn only shows the X and Z axis.
I'm setting up a toolchanger and found an Icon called "lathe" so I got it all set up to run my lathe and the toolchanger. The toolchanger is the "A" axis.
All is well until I wanted to turn a radius. The radius is more of a bevel than an arc.
It appears in this LATHE window Mach3 still thinks it is running a milling machine. I detected that in the progress window.
I need to convert this LATHE window in Mach3 to lathe mode rather than milling mode, OR
Or, I need to add the "A" Axis to Mach3turn.
Which is ever is easiest.
Jim
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I have been thinking about this. I think Mach3 is running in the wrong plane. I'll bet if I switched "Z" with "Y" it would work because it would be working in the correct plane.
Jim
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Hi Jim,
Whatever screen you are using for a lathe needs to be a .lset instead of a .set file.
That way Mach3 will know its configured for a lathe.
If you're modifying a Mill screen, you need to change the .set to .lset.
Russ
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You may want to have a look at this lathe screen and which has an A axis. It's the one I use. Link below.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13548.msg88932.html#msg88932
RICH
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Russ,
Can you tell me how to change .lset ? I think that will do the job.
Thanks,
Jim
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Copy your screenset to a different location then rename with the file extension of .lset then place it back into the Mach folder. Next open Mach and use View menu then Load Screens to choose the renamed screenset. You will then have to restart Mach so that the Lathe geometry takes effect.
Hood
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I checked the Mach3 folder and did not see a file called "screenset".
I found these:
1024.lset
1024.set
Screen4
Do I need to open another folder or file in Mach3 to find screenset. I already checked the LATHE folder and found no screenset.
Thanks,
Jim
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Hi Jim,
By "screenset", it means the screenset that you are using.
1024.lset is the Mach3 stock standard Turn (Lathe) Screen set
1024.set is the " " " Mill "
Just means that any screen set that you use for TURN must have the .lset extension, the 1024.set (MILL) will work for Turn IF you copy it like Hood said, then change the extension to .lset.
Russ
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Well,,,,that didn't work. I don't understand how you take the file 1024.set and copy it somewhere, rename it 1024.Lset, then copy it it back where it was.
There is already a file there with the 1024.lset name. I'm unaware how to have two files with the same name in the same folder.
I got creative and renamed 1024.set to 1024B.lset and copied it back over to the Mach3 file. When I go to view and select 1024B.lset Mach3 does not remember the setting and resets to 1024.set. I also tried reloading Mach3 after the changes.
I was able to run the "A" axis from mach3turn but there are no buttons for the A Axis so no way to JOG "A".
Jim
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Jim,
When you go to VIEW/LOAD SCREENS, you have to select Files of Type / Turn Files to see and load your modifies 1024B.lset ... see pic.
( I should have mentioned that it would require a name change, sorry. :P ) ::)
Try it again,
Russ
:)
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OK, the 1024B.lset was a mill set saved as a lathe set but Mach3 doesn't save it. It always resets to 1024.set.
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It works fine here Jim, not sure what the problem might be.
One more time .... just for sh*ts n' giggles:
Go to Mach3 Main folder
Copy and paste 1024.set to the desktop
Rename it to 1024B.lset
Copy and paste1024B.lset back into the Mach3 Main folder
Open Mach3, selecting your TURN profile
View/Load screens
Files of Type TURN FILES (*.lset) at the bottom
If 1024.lset ain't in there, I don't know what's up.
Russ
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OK, I got it now. I renamed the 1024.Lset to 1024.lset. Not sure if the capital "L" was a problem or not. Anyway, I now have lathe driver in a mill window.
It even states that at the bottom of the screen, "New driver installed" "Lathe". Even the work progress widow looks like it is making a lathe part.
However, I'm still having trouble machining a radius on the end of the workpiece. My code works fine in Mach3Turn but not in LATHE.
Here is the code:
G01 Z0.00 {TOOL AT END OF WORKPIECE}
G01 X0.00 {TOOL AT CENTER}
G02 X.325 Z-.16 R.16 {TURN .16 RADIUS FROM END CENTER TO X.325 Z-.16}
What it does. Starts at the end and center of workpiece. Swings an arc away from the workpiece in the Z+ direction then back to the workpiece. It swings an arc but never touches the workpiece. I also tried R-.16
I'll bet I need to switch it from radius mode to diameter mode or something. If so how?
Almost there.
Thanks, Jim
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I use Inc. IJ for arcs, there are good examples in the Wizards.
G02 X.325 Z-.16 I0 K-.16
Russ
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Got it all resolved. I went into port & pins and then into turn options where I checked off "Diameter". Next I had to retune the "X" axis motor to reflect
motor steps were in diameter.
Yes, I & J or I & K are much better for radius machining. Using R is not that accurate. More obvious in larger circles though.
Thanks for the help.
Jim Glass