Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Are the G Codes at the top right of the main screen all the active codes?

« on: December 29, 2017, 01:49:14 PM »

I assume the codes at the top right of the main screen are the ones that are active. Correct?

Why would g97 and g94 be active for a mill program? I assume g97 and g94 are for turning applications.

Thanks,

Billy

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need help with this drawing for G Code

« on: December 29, 2017, 01:12:16 PM »

Hi,

I am struggling with circular interpolation and g41/g42 offsets. As you can see from the tool path point 5 is not placed correctly.

Here is the code. How do I program to get to point 5???

%
n1 (P0) g00 x0 y0 z0
n2 (P1) g01  x0. y1.750 z0.250 f5 (Entering move)
n3 g01 g41 x0 y1 d1 f5 (g41 move to P1)
n4 g01 z-0.005  ( lower cutter to start cut)
n5 (P2) g02 x1 y1 r.625 f10
n6 (P3) g03 x1 y0 r.625 f10
n7 (P4) g03 x1 y-1 r.625 f10
n8 (P4) g01 z.250
n9 g01 x1.750 y-1.750 (Entering move)
n10 g01 g41  x1 y-1 z-.005
n11 g02 x0 y-1 r.625
m30

Thanks,

Billy

BTW, I also need to understand how to use the I and J commands for this example. I have read page 247 in Peter's book till I rubbed all the ink off the page...lol As this is programmed in all four quadrants it is a bit beyond my understanding at the moment.

3

General Mach Discussion / How to set tool height question

« on: December 22, 2017, 10:15:53 PM »

Hi,

I just about  got Mach 3 running properly. A couple of issues left.

1. When I touch off the tool on the part, what do I click on to send the height to the tool table? For now I measured the tool off the machine and put it in the tool table.

2. How do I set the soft limits?

I have a G54 question but for another day.

Thanks,

Billy

Strange little parts I am making from a 1883 loom!!! Not so hard to make but making a drawing from the part was a PITB!!!lol

4

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Need ideas for improvement to this small mill..photos in post

« on: December 10, 2017, 10:52:53 AM »

Hi,

I would like to change out the spindle motor if possible for a server motor. I want control over speed, direction of rotation, and good torque for drilling and taping.

As I am new to all this, I am not sure what makes any sense. Cost within reason is not an issue.

Current Mill.




Thanks,

Billy

5

General Mach Discussion / What I learned today

« on: November 30, 2017, 08:08:43 PM »

Hi,

I am having great fun learning how to machine parts. Today I learned how to cut for a Woodruff key, slot a shaft for a key way. I also learned how to face a shaft and cut a chamfer. It was the first time I used a large lathe. The large lathe is a scary machine that can easily kill you!!! Reminded me of standing in front of a prop plane with the engine running. TOTAL respect I have for that machine!!

I cut the first Woodruff slot wrong and had to TIG weld up the part and turn it and start over and do it right. No big deal but trying to do that without writing everything down on paper was my mistake.

What I really learned was the need for me to draw everything out on paper before I even get close to a machine. I learned I need to do everything as precise as I know how at this stage.
I learned don't assume anything. The new out of the box 1 inch cutter was .016 oversize.
Plenty of time in the future to learn short cuts.

Cheers,

Billy

6

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 not returning to part zero....ideas why??

« on: November 26, 2017, 05:51:27 PM »

Hi,

I ran a couple of pocket cuts and the x and y axis did not return to zero. x was .o13 and y was .061.

This was the last lines of the code.
g01 z0.500
g01 x0 y0 z0
m30
%

Any ideas what would cause this?

Thanks,

Billy

7

General Mach Discussion / Some general questions about homing

« on: November 25, 2017, 08:46:21 AM »

Hi,

I am very new to CNC. I have two machines I am trying to learn to operate. I want to develop a standard safe process to cut every part and all necessary setups.
One, a Sherline mill with 9" of X travel running Mach3. ( The Sherline has no home switch and many other limitations.
Two, a Eagle mill with 54" of X travel running Fagor control software. ( The Eagle has most everything except an encoder on the spindle, manual spindle speed control)

So...I ASSUME homing is the  first process that should take place for any machine. Correct?

The Eagle machine homes to the near the limits of quadrant IV. This is not always very convenient due to the long length of travel. I am normally  machining parts of less that 12" X 12"

Can there be more than one home position?

I am very new to G Code programming but I am not having issues with the G Code. I don't have a clear visual idea in my head of the "best practices" steps to take to set up any machine.

Thanks,

Billy

8

General Mach Discussion / anyone know both Fagor and Mach3 controls?

« on: November 24, 2017, 09:16:07 AM »

Hi,
 I have access to a Fagor mill and am trying to learn how to operate it. Also I have Mach3 running my Sherline mini mill. All of this is very new to me. I would like to know how different the two control systems are and if learning the Fagor system will help in learning Mach3.

Thanks,

Billy

9

General Mach Discussion / How I hope to learn CNC

« on: November 16, 2017, 04:04:05 PM »

Hi guys,

I bought the 40 pound book as recommended here, the one by Peter Smid. By the way, it is a easy to read book and well written. That is my first impression.

The other good news is the local machine shop has agreed to teach me some stuff. I agreed to work for them for free to pay for the schooling.

As I am retired I don't need or want a "job" this looks like a good opportunity to learn and see the industrial world of CNC. I am not sure why any shop would agree to let me hand around or why someone my age would even want to learn to be a machinist to begin with...lol  

Well...at least I have a few pairs of overalls left and steel toe boots from a past life...lol The machinist likes to fish and I have a really nice boat so I think it will be a good trade.    

Cheers,

Billy

10

General Mach Discussion / General question about small CNC mills

« on: November 07, 2017, 10:21:56 AM »

Hi,

Being very new to machining, I have very little idea what to expect. I bought a Sherline 2000 CNC mill several years ago and did not have the time to use it much. Now I am retired or retarded or something like that and have more time...lol

I just replaced the computer and bought Mach3 and a new driver box. I have most of this up and working except for the limit switches.

Should I reasonably expect to cut a 2" X 4" X 1/8 T shaped flat part from 303 ss ?
Thanks,

Billy