Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / 3d 2 1/2d cam program

« on: January 10, 2013, 03:06:58 PM »

I am trying to find a program that takes dxf files and gives me G code.  Like visualmill but it is toooo expensive. I already have the 3d cad program just need to do G code for both3d and v groove engraving.  suggestions please some seem to do 3d an not engraving or engraving but not 3d, good quality is nice but at reasonable price.

2

General Mach Discussion / M6 Macro Simple?

« on: November 11, 2012, 03:26:29 PM »

Newbi!  Most of the posts re M6 are about complex tool changes I just want a simple move.  When it hits M6 I want it to move to G00 X-4 Y-4 so I can change the tool , then I will jog  Z down to the new zero reference, because the new tool length is different,  then I can jog Z up to clear stock and press start.   I think it will go back and run the finish path gcode??My Gcode comes from visual mill
All the talk about edit M6start and M6end??? The only place I can find those files is in the "Macros" subfolder but they are M6.m1s  type files and they don't even open with notepad etc.
Where do I find the M6 macro?
Can I edit it and do what I want?  Where do I save the new macro so the program will jump to the macro when it sees M6??  
I'm sure many folks have already done this, its so simple but I can't find it
Thank you in advance
Garth

3

General Mach Discussion / stepper motor speed

« on: October 29, 2012, 08:45:10 PM »

Trying to set up, configure?  Using ZETA 87-135 motors, ZETA4 Drives. These motors and drives are made for each other, I have used them on my previous DOS based system and they work fine. Now I want to go to Mach3. All 3 axis motors turn, both direction butTOOOOOOO slow.
Specs from compumotor say the 87-135 motor is 200s/rev or 12,800 microsteps/ rev. which number do I use in the Mach3 formula?   Mach3 is set at 25,000 and the ZETA4 drives are set at 25,000 steps per rev. ( this is the default setting for the drives).  My motors are connected directly to a 5TPI screw.  I want my router to move at  40ipm. I have tried to understand the formula for tuning but I cant get the numbers to add up or to look anything like the sample screens in the manual.
screw is 5TPI, to move 40 ipm, motor should turn at 40x5=200 rev/min?  I just cant seem to get that 200 number to fit into the mach3 formula???in the motor tuning section. Sorry but I must be missing somthing. Can someone give me approx numbers to put into the motor tuning screen to get me close?
Thank you
Garth

4

General Mach Discussion / just starting help Z axis DRO

« on: October 19, 2012, 11:15:16 PM »

I am just going thru the tutorials and evrything seems to work but when I run the sample files the X & Y DRO read outs change as expected but the Z axis DRO stays at OOOOOOO and never changes even when there is a new z position in the command line.    The white outline showing the tool position changes as the file is run thru but  the DRO. stays at zero.  I am upgrading from an old DOS based system and these screens seem great!
any help?
Thank you