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General Mach Discussion / Z-axis/tool driving me CRAZY

« on: June 01, 2011, 07:46:02 PM »

I'm not sure where I'm supposed to configure my tool settings, in my cam software or mach3, but my z-axis goes up when it should be going down (into the wood to make a cut), and I'm not sure what some of my settings should be.

Let me run you through my process:
1- I open lazycam, and open the .dxf file. 

2- I then clean it up using the following AutoClean options: "Optimise Drawing" and "Relayer" (because I have some inside cuts).

3- I apply tool #1 (as I have set) to the inside layer, and the outside later.
My Router tool has the following settings: (These were the settings I was given by the person I purchased the CNC from, I am NOT sure if they are correct, except for the RPMs on my router)
Spindle speed:35,000rpm
Per pass: .25units
Plunge Feed: 50 units/minute
FeedRate: 80 units/minute

I do have inches set as the definition of units in mach3 and lazycam.

4- I applied the above to all layers of the .lcam project, then exported the gcode.

5- I open Mach3, and load the gcode... if I set the tool info in lazycam, do I need to configure anything else for the z-axis to work fine?

Under the "layers" tab on lazycam, What are the following supposed to signify?
Rapid Height: what does this value mean?
Cut start: What should this value be?
Cut Depth: (I'm pretty sure this one is obvious, how deep I'm cutting)

Hypothetically, if I have everything under the layers tab (Tool and Cut) configured properly, I can post the g-code to mach3, and not have to configure anything more in mach3, correct?  Cutting should be ready to go as long as mach3 has the correct 0,0 coordinates?

Upon running the machine, it seems like the tool is going UPWARD instead of downward into the wood, and then it randomly does make it into the wood, but when it DOES, it doesn't go as deep as it should be, which makes me think I don't know jack about getting the tool and z-axis set properly.

I've included the current .dxf file, .LCam file, and .tap gcode file that I'm working with, if anyone can point out where my problem is...

2

General Mach Discussion / Lazycam posts wrong g-code? SO LOST!!

« on: May 19, 2011, 12:41:11 AM »

I'm fairly new to this, but a lot of this seems like it should be pretty intuitive (that is to say, if the software is as automated as they make it seem).  I have a CNC Blacktoe machine, ready to run a mach3 milling profile which is all configured.  I just need to get the g-code to post properly so I can cut away...

First, I have a .BMP file that I convert to a .dxf using A9tech.  When I open the .dxf in lazycam, the image looks exactly like it should, but with an insane amount of chains.  So, I go into Setup -> Loading Options... Autoclean Settings -> "Connection like Tol. used in Optomise" and I change the value all the way to 11.  That seems to clean up the chains to the point in the screenshot I post.  (If changing the tolerance that high is the problem, how do I can those chains without changing the tolerance so much?).

Next, I click the "post G-code" button in LazyCam, I save the imported .dxf file to a ##.tap.  When I try to open it in Mach3, I get this weird small ball of lines that looks nothing like it should... what am I doing wrong?  I have the drawing files, I just want to get them into mach3 to be cut on my CNC machine! 

Yes, the original .BMP file is drawn to scale, and the proper size.  Yes, my mach3 is registered, and not a demo version, and yes, all software is up to date.  I am running Windows XP.

I'm uploading the .BMP file (converted to .JPG so it wouldn't be so big), the .dxf file, and the .tap file.  I'm also uploading a few screenshots of how the software looks when I'm using them.

/HALP