Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 Turn: CSS Mode

« on: September 12, 2012, 06:27:33 PM »

Hi,

I'm currently using Mach 3 Turn demo and I'm just trying to see if I can get CSS(Constant Surface Speed) mode to work. I wrote up some example code that should let me see on Mach3 the spindle speed increasing as the X diameter decreases however the spindle speed is remaining at a constant 50 the whole time.

Could this be because I'm just running the code in simulation mode(I'm not hooked up to a real lathe with an encoder so I have no feedback) or is CSS mode a non-demo feature?

Here is the code I'm using, it should let me see the spindle speed increasing:

G21 G40 (metric and clear any comp.)
T0101 (select tool 1 offset 1)
G00 X100. Z10. (rapid to start point)
G48 S1000 (set max spindle speed)
G96 S50 M3 (select CSS)
G95 (set to feed/rev)
G01 X10. F.2 (feed to 10mm dia)
X100. (feed back to start point)
G97 S1000 M3 (set to rpm mode)
M30 (all done)



Thanks for your time!

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Increment Spindle RPM per Cut

« on: August 29, 2012, 02:23:59 PM »

Hi,

I'm wondering if there is a setting within Mach3 or a M code I can use in my Gcode to make the spindle RPM increase/increment a percentage per each cut taken. Is this possible to do through Mach?

Thank you very much,
Joel

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Help/Advice with Gcode Chess Piece

« on: August 29, 2012, 01:55:27 PM »

Hi,

I'm very new to CNC and I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on how to proceed with this operation.

I currently have Gcode for a chess piece. The piece comes out perfect on paper, however the blank I want to use to actually turn into a chess piece is much longer than what the chess piece comes out as on paper which would leave me with the chess piece and alot of blank that I'd need to cut off with a hacksaw.

From what I've researched and gathered, I need to take a part off tool and part off at the blank and then do some sort of tool offset through Mach(Maybe using an M code?) and then move the extra distance that I want to get rid of down the blank and then begin a sort of pecking motion to get rid of the extra blank so there is no ribbon.

I was wondering if someone could please verify that I'm on the right track as far as how to get rid of the extra blank and possibly tell me what M Code(s) I should research to do this offet.

Attached is my Gcode file aswell.

Thank you very much,
Joel

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Mach3 compatible .DXF to Gcode

« on: August 17, 2012, 02:46:22 PM »

Hi,

I'm wondering if someone could recommend a application that can convert a simple AutoCad .DXF to Mach3 compatible Gcode. The 2D cad file consists of a few simple arcs and the rest are lines. What is a reliable and compatible application to do this job? I have already tried LazyCam, however the gcode it posted is incorrect.

Attached is my .dxf file and the .tap file that LazyCam generated. As far as I know I followed the procedure correctly in LazyCam.

Price is really not a factor, I'm just looking for someone that is guaranteed to do this job however if there is a free software out there that is capable of this please list it.

Thanks

5

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Motor Tuning Settings to Turbo CNC?

« on: July 27, 2012, 02:29:39 PM »

Hi,

What is the procedure to follow in order to take my direct values from Mach3(Velocity, Acceleration, Steps/Unit) and convert them to the required values for TurboCNC?

6

General Mach Discussion / G01 Arc no arc?

« on: July 25, 2012, 01:43:51 PM »

Hi,

My arc is not coming out as planned, it seems it just doing straight linear lines from point to point.

Here is the macro code I'm using:

' Arc #2

Dim x_start as Double 
Dim z_start as Double
Dim TextLine as String

x_start = 1.01
z_start = 1.240 ' 1.2 ' 1.240

For i= 1 to 24
   Code "G00 X1.0 Z1.25" ' 1.22
      While(IsMoving())
         Sleep(100)
      Wend
   Code "G00 X" & x_start & "Z1.25" ' 1.22
      While(IsMoving())
         Sleep(100)
      Wend
   Code "G01 X1.0 Z" & z_start & "I1.0 K1.0" ' K val?
      While(IsMoving())
         Sleep(100)
      Wend
      ' Msgbox "Arc #" & i & " done."
   x_start = x_start + 0.010
   z_start = z_start - 0.010
Next I

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 Logic/TTL?

« on: July 23, 2012, 03:46:12 PM »

Hi,

Is there any way that you can setup a script in Mach to send a +5V TTL when the motor is not running? My stepper driver has a disable input, and because the steppers are very loud when not running(resonance) I'd like to have a +5V applied to this input when no axis are moving. Is this possible?

Thanks

8

General Mach Discussion / Closed Loop Spindle Control

« on: July 23, 2012, 02:36:03 PM »

Hi,

Is there a automated function within Mach3 to calculate the Proportional, Integral and Derivative values for my spindle? If not, is there a common formula that you can recommend?

Thanks

9

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Cheaper alternative to the C11G Breadboard?

« on: July 23, 2012, 10:39:40 AM »

Hi,

I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to the C11G Breadboard($109.00). The only major advantage to this breadboard is the analog output(0-10V) that is controllable through Mach3. Is there a cheaper breadboard out there that has the ability to control a analog output for my spindle drive? Or the combination of a analog output and breadboard for $109.00 the best deal out there?

Thanks.

10

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Step/Dir Issue?

« on: July 19, 2012, 03:35:57 PM »

Hi,

I'm currently trying to use a Linistepper V1 along side Mach3 to control 1 stepper motor. I have my step and dir signal going to the Linistepper driver and I am able to successfully and smoothly move/step the motor in one direction however when I try to move to the opposite direction(--) the motor gets loud and does move but very slowly.

What is odd is that if I switch the state of the "Step LowActiv" in the ports & pins / motor outputs tab I am able to move the motor in the direction that I previously couldnt, but once ive changed the step lowactiv state i am then unable to move in the other direction(++). This leads me to believe that Mach could be the issue.

Anyone bump into this before?