Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Is Z zero supposed to be saved in a saved fixture?

« on: March 29, 2015, 06:05:13 PM »

I have a fixture, the default G54 at the moment.
When I load my Gcode the object appears in Mach3's tableview window at G54's X0,Y0 (about mid table).
However, although I had previously zeroed Z (at table height), this data appears not to have been saved.
If I hit "GoToZero", the machine head will go to G54's X0,Y0 as expected.  However the Z axis will then drive for the floor!  Not pleasing.
I'm OK as long as I  zero Z manually before hitting "GoToZero"

Also perplexing to me (because I'm new at this): When I open the Gcode, although the object's imported 0,0,0 axis appears at the right place on the table (the last G54), the DRO's and the cross hairs are way out off the table.
What works is this: I zero Z manually, perform "GoToZero",  and then zero both X and Y (in the DRO's).  Then the crosshairs are right, I'm 0,0,0 and the program is a go.

I'm sure I'm missing something here....

Steve

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / tool library Mach3 vs CAM

« on: March 18, 2015, 05:39:44 PM »

I am obviously choosing a tool from MadCam's own tool library to generate my G-code.
This is imported and used in the running of Mach3's routine.
Is there any reason to enter a tool choice from the Mach3 library then? 

I assume that if you did change the tool number to one residing in Mach3 library that it would have to match exactly the tool used in MadCam to generate the toolpath?

Is there a possibility of "tool confusion" if there is a Tool #1 in Mach3 library and a Tool #1 that comes in with the CAM file (which might obviously be a DIFFERENT tool)

Steve