Messages

1

Share Your GCode / Re: Wizard for milling a knurl using A-axis

« on: September 14, 2021, 08:15:30 AM »

Another update, this one corrects the formula for the cut depth which was a bit too deep.

2

Share Your GCode / Re: Wizard for milling a knurl using A-axis

« on: September 13, 2021, 02:52:52 PM »

Thanks Tweaky!

Um...not sure what you mean by "online" - I run it from Thonny on my PC (or could be Mac / R-Pi or any Linux machine), which is a Python IDE.  You give it a filename (when it asks) and it writes the code into a file with that name.  I think it might be possible, if you are running it on the same machine as Mach 3/4, to insert the full file path to the folder where Mach3/4 keeps its G-code, otherwise it just writes the file into the folder where the code is.  I run Mach 3 on an old XP machine and getting Python on XP (especially without an Internet connection) seems to be hard!  So I tend to generate the code on my office PC and save it on to a USB stick and sneakernet down to the workshop.

If only Mach 4 had used Python for macros and wizards instead of Lua...

John.

3

Share Your GCode / Wizard for milling a knurl using A-axis

« on: September 13, 2021, 10:58:53 AM »

In case it could be useful I attach a little "wizard" I wrote in Python to generate the g code for cylindrical diamond knurling.  It uses a 90 degree engraving cutter, zig-zagging round the material to form the knurl.  The main point to note is that the number of "diamonds" round the work should be prime, and the length is defined in terms of the number of diamonds longitudinally.  Also attach photos of the results and example g code.

I know it isn't an embedded wizard but I thought writing in VB for Mach3 is wasted effort these days and something more portable in a modern language would be better. 

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: where are the tool offset tables stored

« on: August 02, 2021, 03:37:22 AM »

I've used both the import and export macros in that link successfully.

5

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 backlash compensation

« on: June 20, 2021, 12:38:49 AM »

It seems to work well on a mill with small bl but when I tried it on a lathe with much larger z bl I found similar to you.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3: Programmatic change to config

« on: May 09, 2021, 05:13:25 AM »

Thanks for trying anyway!  Back to the drawing board I guess...

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3: Programmatic change to config

« on: May 04, 2021, 10:54:56 AM »

Well actually, I didn't - I just made measurements on one edge (falling edge) of the signal from the opto.

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3: Programmatic change to config

« on: May 04, 2021, 10:32:54 AM »

Hi Alessio, I'm afraid not!  I managed to get the information I needed anyway.  If you try it I'd be very interested to know if it does work!

John.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: pause btwn lines of code

« on: May 02, 2021, 03:37:38 AM »

M3 can only do circular or helical interpolation on move like G02 i think, not elliptical. If your CAM generates curves as small straight segments using G01 M3 can't I believe link them together.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Threading with mach3

« on: May 02, 2021, 03:31:53 AM »

How many pulses per rev does it generate?  M3 needs just 1 ppr.   Opto are good, Hall Effect also good,  many addon tachos use Hall sensors.