Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: May 23, 2013, 08:08:35 AM »

Thanks John.  We are on the same page.  While I can generate the gcode using my tools, it's not an option for her.  She needs a quilting package to play with.  I need to provide a DXF to gcode convertor to run with Mach3 to close the loop (without me in the middle).  This is for her business.  $18k for the Innova automation package is just not an option.  Particularly when the same functionality can be provided at a much lower cost.  But really need the quilting software to "enable" her to make good unrestricted use of the automation.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:01:08 AM »

Thanks John.  I can certainly use that method to generate some patterns from drawings.  I can redraw or vectorise bitmap data, and subsequently generate gcode via my usual CNC machining software.  However I need something much more basic for my sister to use, and something that doesn't involve needing me in the loop.  Which mean importing existing patterns she finds on the net and or buys, then modifying to suit and generate the run file (gcode).  I expect the solution is to have a program like Art and Stitch to handle the import of various file formats, provide all the drawing and layout tools, then a DXF to gcode convertor to generate the code.  Hoping someone has some experience or options on this topic.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: quilting or embroidery machine

« on: May 23, 2013, 01:18:01 AM »

Would be interesting to know what people are using to convert existing quillt designs to gcode.  Looking to CNC my sisters longarm quilter, however she is keen to run something like Art and Stitch to design/create/modify designs.  It looks like it only saves the files in typical quilting file formats as well as DXF.  Might be looking for a DXF to gcode post-processor.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: New PlugIn just about done..

« on: June 13, 2010, 08:16:09 PM »

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96226&page=2
See the attached image for the second post from the top (post #14)

That's the layout I use.  Only difference since I posted it is that I've removed the Zero All... too dangerous hitting that.  The lower right buttons I wanted to add a spindle inc/dec function, but never got around to figuring out how.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rotary Axis Help

« on: March 28, 2010, 10:00:16 AM »

I'm setting up a 4th Axis and looking to optimise the G0 movements.  Gantry CNC with stepper controller 4th rotary.
I'm not sure if the "Ang Short Rot on G0" will help when G1 commands exceed the 0 to 360 movements.

GCODE example...

% (F_CONTOUR12_T1A.TAP)
% MILL_TURN_PART_TRIAL -----------------------------------------
N5 G17
N10 G21 G40 G49
N15 G53 G50 G90 G94
N20 M48
N25 G54
N30 S6000 M3
N35 G0 Z22.
N40 G0 A0.
N45 (-------------------------)
N50 (F-CONTOUR12-T1A - PROFILE)
N55 (-------------------------)
N60 G0 X18.064 Y55.325 Z22.
N65 G0 A270.
N70 G0 Z19.5
N75 G1 Z14.5 F100
N80 G1 A630. F3985
N85 G0 Z22.
N90 G0 A270.
N95 G0
N100 G0 Z16.5
N105 G1 Z11.5 F100
N110 G1 A630. F3985
N115 G0 Z22.
%--------------------------------
N120 G0 Z22
N125 M5
N130 M9
N135 G40 G49 G80
N140 M30
%

The issue with this example, is that with "Ang Short Rot on G0" ticked... the A630 commands are completely ignored.  It has to be with 0 to 360.
It does this with or without "Rot 360 rolloever" ticked.

The post-processor is kicking out this code, and it's getting difficult to figure out how to optimise it there.  But currently this type of code is causing excessive rotations.   If I did a 10 turn spiral slot with two passes, the rotary is going to unwind 10 turns at the end of the first pass before starting the second.

The only other way I can think of is to implement a function in the gcode using G92.  For example, for a G0 command it would first G92 mod(A current position / 360)*260, then G0 to new location.  This won't provide shortest path though, unless I get more complicated with maintaining a variable for the rotarys position (getting messy). 

What I believe would be needed...
G0 shortest path followed by a DRO update for 0 to 360 position.
G1 commands function without angle wrapping or any modification to DRO position. 
So feed commands function exactly as intended, however G0 rapids via shortest path and resets the DRO to the 0 to 360 range, ready for the next procedure.

Do I have my logic correct, or have I misunderstood how this could be implemented?

Otherwise, would it be possible to somehow setup a gcode command to turn on and off the "Ang Short Rot on G0".  This would enable me to turn it on, G0 to next position by shortest path, G92 to restore the DRO to where it would have been given unwinding, then turn the "Ang Short Rot on G0" function off.  I could easily add this on/off to the G0 rapids in the post-processor and all would be neatly solved :-)


Would appreciate any comments.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: New PlugIn just about done..

« on: January 04, 2010, 04:25:45 AM »

poppabear, Greolt, budman68.... thankyou so much for providing this mod. 
It was very quick and easy to setup and I am simply chuffed with having such a pendant supported.  Very appreciated ;-)

Thoughts for future changes... Instead of Zero All, I'd prefer Zero X/Y as one button.  Not a big one, I'II just get into the habit of tool zero after setting X/Y

I would prefer to have it default at startup as incremental step, rather than assign a button to the "Cont/Inc Center Mode" function.  It might be worth adding a comment to the setup guide for others who might get confused at first.  As well as mentioning to set the jog step to what they want and also to set slow jog to 100% to make best use of the outer wheel.

I would really like to have override inc/dec on spindle RPM.  I like having the ability to adjust both feedrate and spindle RPM to get a good chip load, and that is best done while the chips are hitting the googles, pendant in hand
I'II have to look into assigning a macro for the job.

Once again, thankyou all.... thumbs up!