Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: Spinnetti on December 31, 2007, 01:57:59 AM
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Background:
I got "Mach 3" when it was Master 5, and have been in and out for a few years.
I've grown quite fond of Solidworks, and now want to cut some parts using simple cam (I don't want to buy or learn anything complicated, and all my stuff is simple 2.5D with at most a little simple pocketing)
I exported a simplified model in DXF format and loaded it into the latest "Lazycam"
Question:
How do I order the chains?
1. I found how to select them individually, but not which direction or in which order. This is important because I have to cut a particular order out of the stock
2. There is no stock definition? - would be nice to see what I'm cutting out of.
3. There is no path simulation of the cut? - that would be nice too
TIA.
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9499/partas9.gif)
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Hi, Spinnetti
1. How do I order the chains?, I found how to select them individually, but not which direction or in which order. This is important because I have to cut a particular order out of the stock
Click on the first chain you want it will turn gray on the left side, Click on it on the left, Hold left mouse key down and drag it on top of chain0.
Chain0 will move down one, repeat this till you have the order you want.
2. There is no stock definition? - would be nice to see what I'm cutting out of.
Best you can do is, Draw it in your DXF, Then delete it before posting.
3. There is no path simulation of the cut? - that would be nice too
Hit the "S" key to turn on the Rat, Hit the "S" key again to turn it off.
Hope this Helps, Chip
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Chip - I have been using Mach for over a year and was never aware of the "RAT," function. ??? Amazing!!! Although I really like Mach and have been able to generate some really great (imho) parts, the documentation is - at times - somewhat lacking. I know this is a symptom of the software evolving so fast, but it can be be somewhat frustrating.
Two questions - One, is the "RAT," attribute documented anywhere? Like I said, I was not aware of it.
Second question - Is there a way to control the speed of the "RAT"? When I click on the "S," my "RAT," runs so fast it is either going to kill itself or burn up the screen. ;)
In spite of occasional glitches, I want to thank everyone involved with the development of Mach and members of this forum for their help. It has been quite a journey!
Bob @ BobsShosp - going back to watching the "RAT" and generating products looking for a purpose!
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Hi, Bob
Well I call it a "RAT", It was bigger some time back, Just missing the ear's & nose and waggly tail, As far as I now there is no adjustment for speed.
As far as Documentation theres no real doc's yet, LC has been changing to fast, Just post's hear and at Yahoo group.
All these programs have led to affordable cnc control and with so many people sharing there talents, It's great
Learning More Every Day, Chip
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well ya got me curious now, lol! My S key does nothing for me when pressed ??? Are there any other little tips/tricks like this?
Thanks!
Dave
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Hi, Dave
Just the S key, It's been there for a-while 6-12 months or so, I now it's working in LC 3.00, LC 3.00.1
Hears a screen shot of the beast.!!, Have no idea why it's not working for you.
Thanks, Chip
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Thanks for the info, Chip- It works now but for some reason the job I was working on at the time, it wasn't ...go figure lol!
As for what the object is, it's actually a round "cutter" looking object.
Interesting how it depends on different files on how fast it "travels" around the workpiece.
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Thanks for the info. I guess my terminology wasn't clear enough.
1. My entire part is treated as one chain, but I need to order the entities. This is easier to understand if you consider I want to cut this out of stock just bigger than the part, and in one pass without re-clamping.
To do this, I need to order the chains different than the default, and I don't see a way to do this.
2. The tool offset doesn't work in the simulation "rat", using either inside or outside compensation
Here's a pic of my part.
(http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7684/cimg0914hl5.jpg)
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Hi, Spinnetti
I think you need LC Pro License for that Feature. :(
If you post the DXF and order info I'll see if I can move them around.
Lcam file would probability be better, Then you should be able to enter your feed's, speed's and such after I post it back.
Thanks, Chip
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Chip,
Thanks for the info.
I'm not opposed to paying for it, but I want to ensure its going to work first. (e.g. the entities order, the tool offset not working etc.)
how do you create a Lcam file?
thanks..
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Hi, Spinnetti
Looked at your dxf and LC PRO, There doesn't seem to be a way to move Entity at this time.
I think the best approach would to draw each half on a different layer, Then you should be able to move the starting points for the chains.
Top of screen "Save *.LCAM"
Thanks, Chip
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Bah!
Chip, thanks for your efforts. I really to appreciate it. This is really crazy though (nature of Techies I suppose). Everybody is trying to build the end all tools, yet of the 1/2 dozen products I've tried, NOT ONE will do the following basic stuff (at least as far as I can figure out). Worst part is, I can't even import a DXF directly in to Mach3, without using lazy cam, making it worse that it was when I bought it.
1. Import DXF (everybody seems to do this ok)
2. Click and rotate (orient) the drawing to the x/y axis (nobody seems to do this in a simple easy to use way, and my DXF's invariable import different than I need them laid out to cut)
3. Click on the point I want to be the 0,0 coordinate (I give up digging for how to set this)
4. Set tool offset (everybody seems to do this ok)
5. Ability do define chains segment by segment if desired
6. Have the ability to either click on a chain, then click it again to change machining direction, or set by segment/sub-chains.
This stuff all exists in parts and pieces across software, and seems fundimental. My parts couldn't get any easier, yet I have yet to find anything where I can load up my drawing and get Gcode. This is crazy.
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Hi, Spinnetti
Looked at your dxf and LC PRO, There doesn't seem to be a way to move Entity at this time.
This is what I did, Edited each half on a different layer in Cad, Then saved them by turning one layer off at a time, Saved them to left and right.
Load one at a time and saved as LCAM files, Hear thy are.
LC just isn't up to doing much at this time >:(
Thanks, Chip
Hears the DXF also
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Hi, Spinnetti
Looked at your dxf and LC PRO, There doesn't seem to be a way to move Entity at this time.
This is what I did, Edited each half on a different layer in Cad, Then saved them by turning one layer off at a time, Saved them to left and right.
Load one at a time and saved as LCAM files, Hear thy are.
LC just isn't up to doing much at this time >:(
Thanks, Chip
Thanks for your help...