Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / XZA lathe setup problem

« on: August 11, 2013, 06:18:10 AM »

I’ve set up my XZA CNC woodworking lathe (ShopNotes Router moded) and enabled Motor Outputs for each, leaving the normal Y axis (using this for A axis) red-x or non-enabled. All the appropriate pins numbers are entered.

I’ve also green checked Enable 1, Enable 2, Enable 3 on the Output Signals screen, with all appropriate pins numbers entered.

X-Axis
Pin 14 - X Enable
Pin 7 - X direction
Pin 1 - X Step

A-Axis (Y axis sub.)
Pin 2 - A Enable
Pin 3 - A Direction
Pin 8 - A Step

Z-Axis
Pin 6 - Z enable
Pin 4 - Z direction
Pin 5 - Z step

But, my A Axis doesn’t enable, and my Diagnostics screen show just two red Output Signals current state enabled.

I can only get Enable 2 to light if I go back to Motor Outputs and enable the Y-Axis along with X, Z, and A, all four, leaving just three (Enable 1, Enable 2, and Enable 3) green checked on the Output Signals page.  When I do this, the Output Current Signals on the Diagnostic Screen show three axes Enabled.  I can then go and uncheck (unable) the Y axis on the Motor Outputs, leaving X, Z, and A Axes enabled and all three axes work correctly -- the Diagnostics Screen still showing three axes enabled.

I have to do this ever time I switch on my CNC.  Is there a way to correct this?  I can’t understand why A Axis won’t enable when I set up Motor Output, leaving Y-Axis setting unabled.

Can someone help me understand this. 

Thanks,

Joe D.

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Newbie to CNC needs CAD/CAM to G-code assist for XZA woodworking lathe

« on: August 08, 2013, 06:48:43 AM »

Gerry,

Okay, so I guess I continue following your other suggestions.

 did find a YouTube video that uses GMAX for modeling and CNC ToolKit to create a 4th axis toolpath.  I have to create a 3D model first, then follow their instructions on Yahoo Groups.  I'll give that a try

I'll also download a CNC Lathe Simulator to try some of the code that I'm running into regarding 4th axis turning to get a better idea of the issues involved.

Thanks for all your help.

JD

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Newbie to CNC needs CAD/CAM to G-code assist for XZA woodworking lathe

« on: August 07, 2013, 09:13:01 PM »

Gerry,

I have set up the A axis as a rotary axis in Mach3, so I plan to move it via gcode.  And, I believe that I can create a 3D model in one of the CAD program trials I've downloaded.  Plus, I'll take another look at DeskPronto. 

But, I'm wondering if I could get CNC Wrapper to work using the first method of drawing only half the outline, creating gcode from the DXF, and converting it via CNC Wrapper.  I wonder if anyone has tried this before.

JD

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Newbie to CNC needs CAD/CAM to G-code assist for XZA woodworking lathe

« on: August 07, 2013, 08:02:46 PM »

And, here is the basic drawing of the centerpost. 

Can't understand why this system won't let me post both DXF and PDF at once. 

JD

5

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Newbie to CNC needs CAD/CAM to G-code assist for XZA woodworking lathe

« on: August 07, 2013, 08:00:42 PM »

Um, sorry, the system wouldn't let me attach the DXF.

Here it is.

Thanks.

6

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Newbie to CNC needs CAD/CAM to G-code assist for XZA woodworking lathe

« on: August 07, 2013, 07:58:02 PM »

I've just converted my ShopNotes Router Machine over to a 3-axis XZA CNC and have set it up under Mach3.  Y-axis has been designated as the A axis, and set as a rotary.

Now, I'm just learning ViaCAD and DraftSight to create my Shaker centerpost and furniture leg CAD drawings.  I've just completed my first centerpost drawing, but now I need some assistance in converting that drawing over to G-code.  I've attached my basic drawing of the centerpost and the DXF file (in mm) I created in ViaCAD.

Could someone who has experience with 4th axis turning between centers give me a hand in converting this over to G-code so that I can use it as a learning tool on how to operate my new XZA CNC correctly?

Also, can you advise me on creating new CAD drawings - should I be only drawing 1/2 of the leg/centerpost instead of the whole piece since the final Gcode will be used on a lathe?

Plus, can you advise me on the process to converting my CAD drawings over to Gcode perhaps via a CAM program?  I need to learn one of those as well, I guess.

Thanks in advance,

JD

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: ShopNotes CNC Conversion - X,Z axis with Y axis as rotary A

« on: August 04, 2013, 01:16:44 PM »

Yep, thank you.  Just going over old threads on 4th axis Mach3 setup and found everything I need - that step is one of them.

I'll keep the board posted on my progress.

JD

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: ShopNotes CNC Conversion - X,Z axis with Y axis as rotary A

« on: August 04, 2013, 11:37:47 AM »

ger21,

Thank you for the quick reply.  I will go ahead and redesignate my Y axis as A axis in Mach3.  Could you advise me on how to make the A axis rotary rather than lineal in Mach3, or is this done automatically for the A axis?

Will look at DeskProto now, and research CAD programs as well to create 3D models of my legs. 

Any other suggestions, recommendations are greatly appreciated.

JD

9

General Mach Discussion / ShopNotes CNC Conversion - X,Z axis with Y axis as rotary A

« on: August 04, 2013, 09:03:07 AM »

I’m a CNC newbie, having just converted my ShopNotes Router Milling Machine over to CNC control.

Refer to photos attached.

I have it set up as a 2 axis (X,Z) machine, with the Y-axis being the rotational axis around the X-axis (as an A axis)

My goal is to do simple Shaker table legs and centerposts, and I am learning the basics of G-code right now.  All three axis work okay as linear axis, and I have set up for basic Mach3 operation.  I have successfully created a rounding G-code and this setup works quite well leaving the end piece needing little if any sanding.

I have begun searching and reading old threads on rotational axis setup and operation.  But, most if not all refer to a 4th axis which my setup does not have.

Can old-timers here refer me to any threads which can help me do the following:

1) Set up Mach 3 to run my Y-axis as a rotational axis - perhaps slaving the Y-axis to the A-axis in a manner that standard rotary G-code will work on my setup.

2) Direct me to applicable G-code software that will allow me to create routines for the Shaker legs and centerposts I want to mill - I’m already studying CNC Wrapper, along with the Legacy Woodworking videos and Ventric software rotary axis tutorials.  I am also trying to learn CAD/CAM to convert my drawings over to run as G-code.

Thanks for your help and guidance.

JD
   

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Newbie - Looking for woodturning CNC info

« on: July 05, 2013, 11:06:44 AM »

adprinter,

Thank you for the information.  I've taken a look at CNC Wrapper and it appears to something I should study a bit more.  The price is surely reasonable.

I'm just learning G-code, and wondering if G-coding for a CNC woodworking lathe might be different from regular flat-table CNC code.  Right now, my needs are simple -- turning centerposts and table legs, so I have several basic questions:

1) Should I set my x-axis on the centerline of the piece that I am turning, and run Y-Axis G-code simply along the X-Axis to cut the topline profile?  This way, the x-axis simply turns at a constant rate, while the Y-axis moves up and down to cut the profile?

2) I'm also trying to take my table leg drawings and convert them to DXF files and then convert them to G-code.  But, can I simply draw the top profile of the table leg, and not the whole table leg drawing?

3)  Would it be easier to simply hand-code G-code to cut the table leg profiles rather than spend all that time going from basic drawing to DXF to G-code convert?

Anyone have experience cutting a 4th axis (woodworking lathe) using simple topline profile G-code?

Thanks your help.  I'm off to learn more about CNC Wrapper.

Joe D