Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: FrankieTheKid on November 05, 2015, 11:00:26 PM
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Hi. New guy here.
Apologies for the long story...
I have a CNC 3040 I recently found on Amazon. I've succeeded in getting it to "work" using an older, 32 bit computer with Windows XP. By "work", I mean I can get the machine to move using the arrow and Pg Up and Pg Down keys. Hallelujah. Pass the biscuits.
I'm using Corel X5 to try to create a file I can load into Mach3 or LazyCam. What I'm trying to do is open a file in LazyCam (Version 1, 2005, because that's the version that came with the machine) using the "CAD Files" button.
So far, I've had no success with DXF.
I'm close (I think) with PLT. All I see on the screen, however, is a rectangle, but, the menu on the right, when I click different places in the rectangle, indicates there are chains there... but I can't see them.
I also can't find anywhere in LC how to "Post" the file to Mach3 as G Code.
I'm about ready for a silicone campfire. ANY and all advice will be much appreciated. I've been searching for weeks to find instructional videos with little success.
Thanks,
Frankie The Frustrated Kid
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Hi Frankie,
Have you read through the LazyCam documents ?? http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.0.html
Tweakie.
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get fusion360 it`s free for hobby/startup`s
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As Tweakie replied, READ THE MANUAL, and don't hack at the program.
DXF must be a version 12.
RICH
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get fusion360 it`s free for hobby/startup`s
All it costs is however many thousands of dollars Autodesk wants 2-3 years down the line for you to get your drawings back.
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All it costs is however many thousands of dollars Autodesk wants 2-3 years down the line for you to get your drawings back.
For the paranoid, you can save all your models in iges or step format, and your drawings in AutoCAD .dwg format.
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What about:
Onshape?
https://www.onshape.com/
Dassault draftsight? https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/
Sheetcam? ... If you are not doing 3d machining.
http://www.sheetcam.com/
Rob
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Well, Fusion 360 is the only one that does both CAD and CAM.
Anything other than LazyCAM would be a huge leap forward.
If your already using Corel, try the free version of CAMBAM instead of LazyCAM.
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well, here's what I figured out and what I did: My machine came with the Mach3 freeware version and LazyCam version 1. I bought the licence to Mach3 and downloaded the latest LC, so that's where I'm at. I can import DXF into LC, post G Code to Mach3, run the code, and the machine moves. So, the software is communicating with the machine. That's good.
I've read the manual for LC and Mach3 until I fell asleep. I searched terms like "start point", "tool", "parameters", "V tool", "V bit"... nothing but frustration.
Here's what I have, and what I want to do:
Small, 12" X 18" table, 3-axis CNC, 1/4" dia 45 deg "V" bit. All I want to do is V-carved lettering on small wood panels. I can find the dialog boxes for "tool", but I can't see any pictures of the tools and the parameters that need to be set for them... and I only need the parameters for one. As I read through the manual, I can see that the machine should be capable of doing what I want, but, when I think I've got it, it doesn't work.
I open a DXF that's roughly 3" X 8" in LC. I can see it and it's correct. I click the "Scale" button and I can see that it's the right size. I set the parameters for a tool (using those set for the example in the manual, diameter, speed, and whatever else...just to see if I can get some kind of result), and post the code to Mach3.
I switch to Mach3. I see the code. I click the "Run" button...
For these tests, which I've done a number of times, I don't have any stock loaded on the table, there's no bit in the chuck, and the spindle is not running. I just want to see if the machine moves the way I think it should.
So, when I hit the "Run" button, the machine moves: X, Y, and Z movements. I see the codes running top to bottom on the screen... but, when the code completes, my 3" X 8" graphic only moved the machine about 1/2" square.
I can't see anywhere in the manual how to set a "base point" or how to re-position the spindle motor in relation to the cross-hairs on the table screen.
In LC, I tried opening a "New" file to set a boundry rectangle, then open a DXF to plop in the middle of it, but the DXF button cancels out the other one.
All I want to do is carve little signs. Help?
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So, when I hit the "Run" button, the machine moves: X, Y, and Z movements. I see the codes running top to bottom on the screen... but, when the code completes, my 3" X 8" graphic only moved the machine about 1/2" square.
Could it be that you are working in Inches and your machine / Mach3 is set-up to work in Millimeters ??
Tweakie.
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Mach3 is set up in inches. I did that when I configured it. It's the first thing on top of the "Config" flyout, right? When the box popped up the "Inches" button was selected by default. When I went through the remainder of setup, the sheet I had for the configuration was in mm, so I divided all the numbers for movement speed by 2.54... you know, 2000 becomes 787.
Do you think it would be a good idea to re-configure to mm?
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???
Do you not just prefix your gcode with G20 is the code / drawing is in inches and g21 if it's in mm and the machine will work it out for you
Rob
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As mentioned, Rob, I'm new at all this and I'm not familiar with the syntax... so, is that something I manually add to the beginning of the code after it's posted to Mach3... which is what it sounds like you're telling me? And thank you for that.
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Normally you setup a post processor file, and within that it would define the units scale the drawing object is defined in so when you load the gcode file the machine will automatically rescale it..
... That's the way sheetcam works ... As I sometimes draw in metric and sometimes in imperial (think of it as coordination tolerance... Depends what I want to coordinate with)
Lazycam... Not sure... But here may be a way you insert a standard header so you can define the gcode units there.
If not... Edit the gcode in a text editor (I use notepad ++ as it does other things... Tabs... Plus able to do code with highlighted text...) And just insert your scale at the start.
There may also be a setting in lazycam for your units.... Where you tell it you want to draw in metric or imperial (sorry I don't know lazycam at all... Tried failed)
Rob
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This website can be useful
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeCourse.htm
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As can this one (its actually taken from the m3 gcode manual)
http://machmotion.com/cnc-info/g-code.html
Rob
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Holy cow! Both links saved to favorites. Thank you Mr. Spark. Live long and prosper!