Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: making gear and odd shaped gears

« on: May 19, 2015, 11:46:01 AM »

Thanks Gerry

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / making gear and odd shaped gears

« on: May 19, 2015, 10:31:08 AM »

I remember quite some time ago Art had mad a program to make some really odd gears.  What was that and is it still around?

Thanks RobJ

3

Feature Requests / Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change

« on: November 16, 2011, 06:57:01 AM »

It think those are both good ideas for long programs.  It gives us a way to estimate it until maybe someday it is more automated.  Thanks guys.

4

Feature Requests / Re: Couple things - User parameters and Distance off the home switch

« on: November 10, 2011, 03:56:20 PM »

I found the list... Even the parameter Gerry suggested are used in MACH in some fashion so they could interfere.  Would be nice to have even just 20 sure fire not open purpose parameters that won't screw anything else up.  Might have to just pick some that are not likely to be used.  Hate to take that chance though!

5

Feature Requests / Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change

« on: November 10, 2011, 02:13:12 PM »

Andrew,

MACH assigns it's own line numbers to the left of the G-code line numbers.  Maybe to keep it from being CAM dependant the time could be assigned next to Mach's line numbers or outside of the G-code textbox.

I'm glad you do see the interest.  This is something that would possibly raise the bar with modern CNC/NC software.

The suggestion wasn't by me but I Love the idea!

6

Feature Requests / Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change

« on: November 10, 2011, 10:51:47 AM »

Since MACH can estimate the cycle times maybe the button that starts the job estimate could add time in which that line will be executed and one could read the current job time.  could be a checkbox feature in the milling options or such

normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1
N20 X2 Y4 Z0
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1

time added to normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1 (Time till Ex = 2.30)
N20 X2 Y4 Z0 F.2 (Time till Ex = 2.32)
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1 (Time till Ex = 2.50)

Or only on, above or below M6 commands TIME comments could be added.

I think this would be a huge improvement to the CNC world!

7

Feature Requests / Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change

« on: November 03, 2011, 05:06:43 PM »

I would have thought a lot of job shops could use this feature.  Hopefully someday!

8

Feature Requests / Re: Couple things - User parameters and Distance off the home switch

« on: October 30, 2011, 08:00:05 PM »

Okay that is exactly what I was looking for.

What range of #parameters are free to use without corrupting the Mach's use.

#0 - #1000 ?

9

Feature Requests / Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change

« on: October 30, 2011, 09:00:22 AM »

I like this idea.  Then you know if you should stick around a few minutes or come back 1/2hour later.  Great for time managment!

10

Feature Requests / Re: Couple things - User parameters and Distance off the home switch

« on: October 30, 2011, 08:52:31 AM »

Thanks for your support Gerry.

What do you guys think about the R-parameter idea?  At work as a process technician we use R-parameters all the time to safe guard our programs and make things simple and quick to adjust without having to study the code.

Normally the factory has assigned R-parameters with the defaults being zero. You can freely add these parameters into your axis feedrates and spindles.  Our older machines only have 200, (R0-R199) free R-parameters but our newer machines have 1000, (R0-R999).

How it works is there is a separate "table" or page with an open type parameter table. There you can view the R-parameter table alter items there or just edit them in your program by assigning a value.  

Here is what the table would look like.

R0 =0          R1 =-.005
R2 =.002     R3 =1.625
R4 =25.4     R5 =.03999
etc...          etc...

Does Mach have something like this?  I know it has it's "program" variables for macro use but not any that are known to be free and open for other use.