Topics

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Zero CAD to CAM

« on: December 19, 2014, 04:26:25 AM »

I am trying to use Mach 3 to plot from a dxf file onto ply. As I have limited travel relative to the job size I am splitting the job into 4 segments and plotting 4 times moving the job each time within the machine travel area.
Its obviously necessary to get the 0-0 point correct for each segment  ie TR, BR, TL & BL

I thought this would be easy. I am using AutoCAD LT then LazyCAM to generate the G code.
The process works fine except for the zero problem.

As a trial, I have just created a 50mm dia circle with the centre at 0-0 on the dwg.
When this is processed and then loaded to Mach 3 the 0-0 point is not in the centre. It is at the corner of a rectangle of the dia size.
Why does it not carry over the 0-0 point from the drawing ?
What do I need to do to achieve this ?

Thanks Geoff

2

General Mach Discussion / Toolpath Display Reversal

« on: April 11, 2014, 04:59:02 AM »

Currently my job/table is reversed compared with the toolpath display.
I do not want to reverse the X & Y movements.
I wonder if there is a way of just flipping the toolpath display >

Geoff

3

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 and LazyCAM

« on: April 05, 2014, 06:42:14 AM »

I am aware that Lazycam is no longer supported, but find it useful for simple profiles.
I recently had to reload Mach 3 and Lazycam and they are both accessible on the PC

However, when in Mach3 I cannot access Lazycam as I have previously ie File - Lazycam.
I just get "File not found"

Is there some linking action I need to take. ?

Thanks

4

General Mach Discussion / CAM Software

« on: March 14, 2014, 07:39:17 AM »

Whilst I realise that there will not be a definitive answer to my question I would appreciate any comments.

I operate a small CNC machine with Mach 3 software which suits my needs. I am a retired engineer and now it's for hobby use so difficult to justify high outlays.

My main 2 needs are :-
1. Profiling. I generate toolpath dxf files in AutoAD LT and then convert these to
    g code with free software. Not ideal.

2. A friend generates stl models using Rhino which I also convert to g code using
    free software.

I have used Lazy CAM but it's limited.
I suspect that I would be better to go down the route of 2 different items of software.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

5

General Mach Discussion / Parallel Port Address

« on: February 10, 2014, 06:28:16 AM »

I have a problem in that the PC running on Windows XP does not communicate with the CNC machine.
I want to eliminate the possibility of the wrong port 1 address.

The address found via the PC control panel is 0378-037F
The Mach 3 config setting screen shows 0x378
When I try to change the setting and "apply it" it just seems to default to the 0x378 setting.

Any help appreciated.

6

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 Driver Test

« on: January 19, 2014, 06:43:09 AM »

I have recently reinstalled Mach 3 on my office PC and also the workshop one which controls the CNC machine.
Only the office one cab be connected to the internet so I have downloaded to this PC (Windows 7 Professional) and then copied to the files to the workshop PC running on Windows XP
Everything seems to have installed OK, but I cannot run the driver test on either PC.
I have read the Mach 3 manual and tried the "SpecialDriver.bat" file but it made no difference.
When I activate the driver test shortcut I just get "Do you want to allow the Driver test exe program to make chenges to the computer. I say yes but its still not active.
The driver test worked fine on the worshop PC previously.

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 Download

« on: September 04, 2013, 08:23:12 AM »

I have recently had an error message whilst running my Mach 3 Software bought in 2007.
After much discussion it has been suggested that I reload Mach 3.
The machine is in workshop without internet access and runs on Windows XP which has been fine for many years.

My office PC with internet connection runs on Windows 7, so the plan was to download the latest levei to a CD and then install in the workshop.

When I try to download, it fails for some reason. The 26 kb file downloads and then it stops.

Any suggestions or tip appreciated.

The plan is to load onto the workshop machine and the add the old xml file and license file.

8

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / AutoCAD - LazyCAM - G Code

« on: June 28, 2009, 03:25:21 AM »

I have been trying to produce G code for a simple con rod profile. 2 arcs and connecting tangential lines. The process used has been :-
Draw outline in AutoCAD - save as dxf file - import via lazy CAM - clean - export G code.
I want to achieve continuous movement around the profile but get a discontinuous movement between arcs and tangential profile.
ie. the end point of say the arc does not coincide with the start point of next part. It moves eg. to the other arc and then the sides.
I modified the file to a polyline as I understood this might help.

Is there a way of forcing the machining sequence other than manually editing it ?

9

General Mach Discussion / Arc wizard

« on: April 25, 2009, 05:37:17 AM »

I wonder if anyone can help on a minor matter ? I have been using the arc wizard to cut a semi circular recess with a bull nose cutter. Everything is fine and I am working in the XY plane.
I now want to cut in the XZ plane and have edited the G code to do this and it works OK.

Question :- Can you get the arc wizard to generate the G code for other planes directly ?
 

10

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 & Milling Spindle Control.

« on: January 09, 2007, 02:25:55 PM »

I am just starting to set up an Emco Mill with Mach 3 software. New stepper motors and drivers are being fitted. I intent to drive the spindle motor with a Siemens Micromaster inverter which can be set for analogue input 0-10V giving control of frequency/speed. The inverter also has a control input for an on/off switch.
I would appreciate advice on how to interface the inverter with the Mach 3 software using the PWM feature to control the spindle speed.