Topics

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Spindle stops after subroutine

« on: April 28, 2016, 12:18:37 AM »

Anybody know why the spindle stops after a subroutine? Running Mach3 and it never used to do that but recently it's happening. Is there a setting I'm missing in Mach?

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General Mach Discussion / Spindle stop after subroutine question

« on: April 25, 2016, 12:16:07 AM »

OK, this is weird to me. I have been running Mach 3 for a long time. Lately, I've run some programs with subroutine calls and it always seemed to me that I put an M3 command in before the call to subroutine (way at the beginning of the program) and the spindle just keeps running even after the subroutine ends. Now, I need to put in an M3 command within the subroutine because without it the spindle stops after the first subroutine call and doesn't start again because the M3 is way at the beginning. There is not an M5 command in the subroutine. 
I'm not sure if a setting got hosed or I'm losing it.
Can anybody shed some light on this for me?

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Peck drilling in the X axis

« on: November 06, 2010, 09:00:37 AM »

I've got a right angle head on my mill and I'm trying to drill a very long hole in the x axis. Is there a way to program this move with X going in the positive direction? I've used G17 to select the yz plane and programmed G83 to drill but the table moves in the negative direction. I'm trying to move the table in the positive direction while peck drilling.
Thanks in advance.

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Thread milling

« on: September 15, 2008, 11:17:10 PM »

I have a question regarding thread milling.
Can a tapered pipe thread be thread milled?
I've done some standard straight thread milling but never a tapered thread such as NPT.
Anyone have any helpful hints?
Thanks in advance.
LEW

5

General Mach Discussion / Settings

« on: February 23, 2008, 11:15:36 AM »

Hi All:
I'm pleased to report that my retrofit using Mach works just great.
I've posted this question before but forget what the replies were.
What settings do I need to incorporate so that Mach remembers the DRO numbers when I last quit the program?
Thanks in advance.
Lew

6

General Mach Discussion / Question regarding wav files

« on: July 31, 2007, 08:49:55 PM »

Hi All:
I only read briefly the M-code calling of a macro. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or if it's possible to call a wav or other sound file using an M code in a program and making the macro somehow refer to the wav file?
Just thinking "out loud" here. I can see where it might be helpful if I can call a sound file at a program pause that says something like "change the part".
I know I posted something like this before but didn't figure on the possibiliity of using a macro.
Thanks
LEW

7

General Mach Discussion / Status bar and messages

« on: July 05, 2007, 07:50:54 PM »

Hi All:
I'm experimenting with messages to the operator from within the Gcode.
For example, i will program an M01 pause and put a message in the program to "change the part".
While this message shows up on the Status label, it does not go away.
Is there a way to clear the Status label from within the program and after the cycle is started again?
Thanks
LEW

8

General Mach Discussion / Feedrate override

« on: July 04, 2007, 04:09:27 PM »

Hi All:
Is there a DRO that  shows true feedrate?
The one I'm using in my screen shows what the feedrate is that has been called for in the Gcode. But, it does not update if I use the feedrate override.
I have another DRO that shows the percent override and that changes with the "plus" and "minus" keys. But, the feedrate DRO does not update.
Or, perhaps there's VB script that would read the override percent and then multiply it by the programmed feedrate and then display that number?
Thanks for the help in advance.
LEW

9

General Mach Discussion / Cutter comp

« on: July 04, 2007, 03:52:12 PM »

Hi All:
I ran a part this morning. I had run this part before. The program calls for M6 and then T8. T8 is a 1/2" dia. end mill. The first cut started without allowing for the 1/2" end mill tool. So, the path it took had tool zero for comp. and it did scrap the part. I didn't notice this until I saw the cut about half way through it's  path. I wondered what had happened and brought up the tool table. I looked at tool 8 and it was indeed set for 1/2" end mill. Then I hit the "accept" button and exited . I restarted the part program just to see what would happen and it called the correct tool and proceeded to mill the part correctly. I don't have a tool changer but use M6 to signal a tool change.
Anybody experience this?
Is there something I need to do in the way of a script when Mach starts to insure that cutter comp is set?
Thanks
LEW

10

General Mach Discussion / Jogging hotkeys question

« on: July 01, 2007, 04:05:13 PM »

Hi All:
Need a bit of help.
I designed a screen that I've been using for a while now. I decided to move some things around and rearrange a bit. Saved the new screen as a different name. Then, I started Mach3 and loaded the new screen. However, I have noticed that the hot keys for jogging x,y&z don't work anymore. I've looked at the config. from the main menu and even reset the hotkeys that control axis jog. Still no movement.
I'm lost. Anything come to mind that I may have hosed? I did load the old screen and the hotkeys work fine. Back to the new screen and they don't work.
Help is appreciated.
Thanks
LEW