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Messages - Wayne

Pages: 1
1
LazyCam (Beta) / direction of travel
« on: March 25, 2009, 08:28:46 AM »
I am using LCam Pro to import a dxf file, create and edit the toolpath for my flame cutter.  The question I have is this, sometimes when moving chains around to obtain the best continues toolpath, the code will have a chain running the wrong direction (skipping to the end of the chain and cutting backward to the beginning)

 Is there a way to reverse the direction of travel of a chain ?

Is there another option other than manually editing the code ( has led to brain cramps)


Thanks
Wayne

2
Feature Requests / Toolpath Display
« on: March 29, 2008, 10:00:19 PM »
I use Mach 3 on my flame cutter to cut out a wide variety of shapes for use in my welding business.  Many times I am writing code and verifying the design on the toolpath screen.  Would there be a way to have a grid scaled to the g-code on the screen.  It would  help to see the dimensions on the grid when trying to write the code for a desired part.

Thanks
Wayne

3
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 20, 2007, 10:14:58 AM »
Well I tried the code, ran it for 1/2 hr.  Checked it  during and at the end, it came within .001 inch of starting position every time.    Truly  confusing how it can be so deadly accurate, but my circles are elongated.  ????????

Thanks for the test, I am open to ANY other ideas or suggestions.  I use this in my Welding and Fabrication business so it is very important to me to get it right.

4
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 19, 2007, 10:30:31 PM »
OK, sounds good. I'll give it a try tomorrow AM.  Thanks for the idea.
Wayne

5
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 19, 2007, 07:26:16 PM »
My straight line measurements were 48 inches long, both x and y axis, measured with a 12 inch digital caliper and manually held by hand to take up backlash.  I am using ground and polished acme threaded rod for travel. My measurements are all in inches.  My x axis motor has a 2/1 reduction. !.8 degree stepper  and 5tpi acme threaded rod and 10 microstep gecko drive -----20,000 spi.  My y axis is 1/1 ratio with 10 microstep drive, 1.8 degree and same 5 tpi threaded rod-----10,000 spi.  Testing is done at normal cutting speeds  8 ipm to 17 ipm.

Thanks
Wayne

6
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 19, 2007, 02:59:04 PM »
Hi
Yes, steps per inch are correct and when I do a straight line test the measurements are right on.  When I make a square or a circle ( something enclosed) my Y axis is long and my X axis is short, usually Y is about
 2 % long and X is about 1 % short.  Backlash is .010 to .014.  I did try programing in for backlash, it did not help.  The error amount is proportional to the dimension of the item.  aka. 2" circle off .125   4" circle off .250.  I was thinking maybe noise or the Gecko drivers were off, so I switched x & y drivers, it had no affect.  Then I replaced all cables with better shielded ones and put each driver in a separate metal encloser to reduce the chance of noise or false triggering,   it did not help either.   I am using a Campbell Iso board  and a new Printer Port cable.  The Iso Board is also in its own metal encloser.  I've tried everything I can think of and am totally stumped !

Thanks
Wayne

7
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 18, 2007, 11:54:39 AM »
Sorry didn't get them all in that post. I'll try again ;)

8
General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape
« on: September 18, 2007, 11:48:06 AM »
Here are 2 examples and setup files.

9
General Mach Discussion / circles -- oval shape
« on: September 18, 2007, 11:06:41 AM »
Hi
I started with Mach 3 a few weeks ago and haven't been able to resolve an issue, so I am looking for some help.

 I have a Gantry Torch cutting setup and am using the plasma profile. When I do a test like X30 Y30 it is very very accurate.  When I do a 4 in. circle my Y axis is +0.187 in. and X axis is -.0625 creating a very symetrical oval. All motor movements are very smooth.

Here is what I have tried so far;  Exact stop mode enabled
                                              Eliminate any compensation modes
                                              absolute and incremental modes
                                              G12 mode
                                              changed ramping rates, this did help, X axis has 2/1 ratio, Y axis is 1/1
                                              Backlash on both axis is less than .015
                                              Switched Gecko drives, no difference
                                              installed new shielded cable thru the entire system
                                              1.8 Ghz computer with 1gig ram (ouch!)
 

I have tried everything I can come up with, maybe someone can spot a simple fix I have overlooked. Any help is much appreciated !

Very Frustrated
Wayne


10
General Mach Discussion / Demo
« on: August 31, 2007, 10:26:41 PM »
Hi
I am ordering my license for Mach3 but haven't got it done yet. When using the demo version I can't get any outputs to light in the diagnostic screen. aka step/ dir  for any axis.  I got my Campbell iso board and have everything hooked up to my Gecko 201s but nothing moves.  DRO axis position works with a program or with jogging.  Also the led on output 4 on the isolation board is supposed to light when Mach 3 is up and running. It does not light.  Is this a disable function on the demo or do I have something setup wrong ?

Mach 3 newbie
Wayne

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