Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. => Finished Plugins for Download => Topic started by: Happy on April 22, 2014, 11:24:55 AM
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This is Mach3 plugin for Excellon data format conversion to GCode data output file format. ( mostly required for PCB CNC drilling )
Part of processing is :
- input data to real stock positions ( placement offset ) mapping and transformation
- X-Y axis stock placement angle correction
- data preview in graphical mode
It works with USB Camera now for easy machine to stock positions alignment !
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Updated version :
- spindle start /stop commands added before and after tool change command
- improved stock positioning on screen ( move to zero checkbox )
- added "INCH" excellon data command processing ( some of them do not use M72 but INCH instead....)
- window size is smaller now , better for lower resolutions screen
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First of all, you should make GUI scalable for people that will be using stand alone version (.exe) on computers with smaller resolution, eg. 1366x768 as the lower portion of GUI is not visible.
Second, besides decimal paces you should add a drop down for nondecimal part. I prefer to generate drill files in 4:3 metric format without any zeroes suppressed, neither leading nor trailing.
Third, In BackLash optimization add an item: None
Next, you can define G1 rate at the beginning of the G Code as a separate G1 F1xx to have less clutter in produced G Code.
Also, take out the comments out of G Code.
I know why I wrote this, I have a converter of my own brew :) (without camera support as all of my PCBs have a diagonal reference points for positioning onto machine bed.
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Updated version, known bugs are fixed.
Version 3.41
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You don't need F** in every G1Zxx move. It is quite enough to place at the beginning of the file:
G1 F100 (or similar speed)
Also, you should allow 5 (five) digits for spindle speed, Chinese spindles regularly spins at 24krpm and some models up to 60krpm.
Next, you should list, besides .drl files the .txt files. Protel generates drill files with .txt extension.
Remove unnecessary zeroes from X and Y coordinates.
Try the attached file. It "understands" Protel format as well as the Altium Designer format. KiCad formats to be added soon.
Written by a friend of mine under m supervision/assistance.
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Your comments are applied now. Zero supress checkbox, repeat F checkbox and 5 digit spindle speed has been added, as well as input file format filter ( txt files) is changed.
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Well, more suggestions:
Something is wrong with your optimization, actually it un-optimizes time to finish the drilling.
Statistics:
Optimization UnChecked:
Machine Time: 33:48
Cutting Time: 13:24
Rapid Time: 18:54
Optimization Checked:
Machine Time: 48:30
Cutting Time: 13:24
Rapid Time: 33:26 <====
GalBlastMMrel.txt is the input file, Happy.nc is file without optimization and HappyOptimized.nc is the slowest one.
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Hi,
there is no time-optimizing. Its about movement optimizing from backlash point of view. Its something diferrent.