Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: Mauri on August 04, 2017, 06:10:27 PM
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Hi,
I am interested if anyone has used Mach4 to CNC Machine 4 Axis objects.
Regards,
Mauri.
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We do all the time. We manufacture circular wood cutting tools, attached is an example of a cutter we make for a 15in Planer.
We have been using Mach3 for years, now I'm transitioning some machines to Mach4 and every new Machine we retrofit will have Mach4 on it.
www.byrdtool.com
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We do all the time. We manufacture circular wood cutting tools, attached is an example of a cutter we make for a 15in Planer.
We have been using Mach3 for years, now I'm transitioning some machines to Mach4 and every new Machine we retrofit will have Mach4 on it.
Just to clarify...
Are your CV8's running Mach4 ?
Are the Shelix made using Mach4 ?
Tweakie.
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Mach4 is being used to make our Shelix. The CV8 machines are out of China with a GSK controller. 4 of our VMCs running this product use Mach3. 2 of our VMCs are using Mach4.
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Wow, that's interesting.
Love my shelix head, btw.
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Gerry,
Glad to hear you love your Shelix!
Just checked out your Homemade Jointer, that is some very cool stuff right there!
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Cbyrdtopper,
Just a question can you display your machining G-Code "Toolpath's" for your cutting tool machining in Mach4 and do they display correctly?
Regards,
Mauri.
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Mauri,
It doesn't show my tool path around a central point. I have a picture attached of Mach4 toolpath with 4th Axis code loaded. It is running a cutter with 3 types of rows on it. It should show 3 instances of this toolpath around the center point but it doesn't. Is that what you mean?
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Cbyrdtopper,
Yes that is the issues I have.
On all my 3D statues or even a simple circle it bears no resemblance to the objects to be machined.
The G-Code statues is just an odd unrecognizable shape and the G-Code circle is just a straight line.
So this issue is just not me good to know.
It is difficult to proceed when you are not sure Mach4 will machine it correctly and you cannot view in the Toolpath G-Code to see if it is how you want it machined.
Regards,
Mauri.
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Mauri - is the display just showing the toolpath from a strange angle? Can you rotate it around?
Cheers
Roger
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rcaffin,
Not sure how it is trying to display the G-Code in the Mach4 Toolpath.
When you rotate the object in the Toolpath it keeps its unrecognizable form.
On a perfect circle if you offset the circle in you CAD program by 50% then make the G-Code and load it into Mach4, it will display correctly, but if you cut it, it will be 50% offset.
On other objects like a 3D Bust or Statue if you Rotate it or not, the Toolpath display shows no resemblance to the object and does not show the object fully formed, it shows it squashed in.
All versions of Mach4 for the last 2.5years have been the same.
Regards,
Mauri.
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Oh Dear.
The Mach3 display is a little better - but not perfect. Thing is, trying to portray a 4-axis path on a 2D screen is not easy, and what it shows is the tool path, not the object left behind.
Cheers
Roger