Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: M98 to make multiple different parts on the same sheet.

« on: April 02, 2012, 12:34:59 AM »

OK. Well I least I won't spend further hours wrackjng my brain to figure out what I did wrong. Thanks.

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: M98 to make multiple different parts on the same sheet.

« on: April 01, 2012, 02:32:04 PM »

Yes, I have cutter radius compenstation in each of the subroutine files. I switch it off again with G40 when the routine returns, else G52 will not work. The first two calls to the same subroutine are fine, but the call to the next one has those funny arcs in it. Thanks for helping!

Calling program first:
% cut full sheet
% =========================================
G17 (cancel tool length offset)
G80 (cancel motion mode)
G50 (reset all scale vectors to 1.0)
G49 (cancel tool length offset)
G40 (cancel cutter radius compensation)
G90 (set absolute distance mode)
G21 (set units to mm)
G40 (cancel cutter offset)
G52 X0 Y0
% G54 (apply zero point offset)
G0 Z6

% cut first frame
M98 (front_frame.txt)
G40
G52 X80
M98 (front_frame.txt)
G40
G52 X0 Y30
M98 (rear_frame.txt)
M30 (stop and rewind)

front_frame.txt:

G0 Z10
F100
% cut bolt slots
% =========================================
G0 X-20.3 Y15
G1 Z0
G1 X-20.5 Y9
G0 Z6
G0 X20.3  Y15
G1 Z0
G1 X20.5  Y9
G0 Z6

% cut holes
% =========================================
F25
G0 X24  Y-4
G1 Z-.1
G0 Z6
G0 X-24 Y-4
G1 Z-.1
G0 Z6

% cut outline
% =========================================
G0 X0 Y10    (go to lead-in position)
G41 P1.59   (apply cutter offset)
F100
G1 Z0
G1 X0  Y6   (start cut at bottom of V)
G1 X20 Y20   (cut right side of V)
G1 X22 Y20   (cut short flat top)
G0 Z0.5      (leave cling-on of 0.5mm)
G2 X24 Y18 R2.5   (top right rounded corner)
G1 Z0
G1 X28 Y0   (right edge to zero mark)
G1 X30 Y-8   (continuation of right edge)
G2 X28 Y-10 R2   (rounded lower right corner)
G1 X6 Y-6
G1 X-6 Y-6
G1 X-28 Y-10
G2 X-30 Y-8 R2   (rounded left corner)
G1 X-28 Y0   (left edge to zero mark)
G1 X-24 Y18   (left edge to top)
G0 Z0.5
G2 X-22 Y20 R2.5 (rounded top left)   
G1 Z0
G1 X-20 Y20   (short flat top left)
G1 X0 Y6
G1 X2 Y7.4
G0 Z10
M99

rear_frame.txt:
G0 Z10
% Rear frame
% =========================================
F100
% cut clip slot
% =========================================
G0 X28.5 Y22
G1 Z0
G1 X28.5 Y14
G1 X31.5 Y14
G1 X31.5 Y22
G0 Z6
% cut outline
% =========================================
G41 P1.59              (apply cutter offset)
G0 X-4 Y-4
G1 Z0
G1 X0 Y4
G1 X10 Y27
G2 X14 Y28 R2.5
G1 X30 Y18
G1 X46 Y28
G2 X50 Y27 R2.5
G1 X60 Y4
G2 X58 Y2 R1.7
G1 X36 Y6.8
G1 X24 Y6.8
G1 X2 Y2
F25
G0 Z0.2
G2 X0 Y4 R1.7
G1 X0 Y4
G0 Z10
M99


   

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / M98 to make multiple different parts on the same sheet.

« on: April 01, 2012, 12:30:36 PM »

Does anybody have an M98 guide? I found out the hard way, for example, that the (external file) subroutine doesn't belong in the same directory as the calling code, but in the MACH3/subroutines directory. Also, I figured out external subroutines don't work if there isn't an invisible carriage return after the M99 in the called routine. Now I can call up the SAME subroutine (cuts one part) and use M52 to duplicate it 10 times at different parts of the sheet. I can repeat this with a different part on a different sheet. As long as all the parts are the same, no problem. But if I call several routines for several different parts on the same sheet, the whole thing gets messed up. Parts beyond the first part show a tool path with those nasty large loops (not circles) for G2 arcs which suggest that the absolule coordinates have been wrongly set with G90.1. All the parts are using the same absolute coordinates and all the parts are similar. What could cause a subroutine to be somehow corrupted by running a prior subroutine?

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 missing DXF import.

« on: February 20, 2012, 11:16:31 AM »

Rich, is there a list of the advanced features you get when you buy Mach3? I'd understood that the limitation was only the size of the job in the trial version. Alternatively do you have a shortlist of recommended software that is a little more elegant for 3D? Thanks for all of your comments by the way.

5

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 missing DXF import.

« on: February 19, 2012, 11:38:34 PM »

I also got a 32-bit refurbished machine. It's clean of everything but Mach3. According to instructions, Win7 64-bit won't run the parallel port. So far I haven't found anything that won't run on Win 7 64-bit, but I've yet to hook up the router.  There are some nuances to learn like the write macro only works if you have absolute coordinates in force. I thought that might be an OS issue, but deep in the manual there is a mention of the issue and you just need to figure out the right G-code to fix it. DXF input is in LazCam, for which the "manual" is, well, not exactly up for an excellence award. It's dissappointing that the Mach3 manual doesn't fully describe the software as it actually runs, but it's a shareware program as I understand it, so my expectations were limited and I'm generally pleased with it. It's a pain that DXF input won't do 3D. I have to code stuff a layer at a time and cut/paste the G-code for each layer. Learning as I go. Like Rich said ... I guess I have the option of finding more exensive options that do support 3D.

6

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 missing DXF import.

« on: February 03, 2012, 09:40:49 PM »

Hey Graham,

thanks, mate! So I got further ... created Gcode from Lazycam. It did cut the very basic outline shape I designed in TurboCad, but missed all the cutouts and grooves and such from the 3D object. LazyCam in no way matches to the description of the DXF file import process in chapter 8 of the Mach3 Mil user guide. I tried clicking on options to reorganize layers and such to no avail. Do I need to design something in a layered way rather than cutting 3D objects out of a solid in TurboCad to get the translator do more than simply trace the outline shape of the object?

7

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Mach3 missing DXF import.

« on: February 03, 2012, 12:03:04 AM »

I have the demo version and TurboCAD. I have a .DXF from TurboCAD. The MACH3 user guide in section 6.7 refers to a File>Import function in Mach3. There is no such function in the file menu when I click the file menu drop-down. The web site says MACH3 can import DXF via LazyCam. In LazyCam there is an open DXF file function, but I can't figure out how to translate it into GCODE. Which of the two tools should I use and how does it work? I have Mach3 Version R3.043.022 running under Windows 7, 64-bit. Just trying it out before buying all the hardware and software.