Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / March3 Directory structure question

« on: October 05, 2010, 05:58:39 AM »

Is it possible to store GCode and other Mach directories on a different drive under XP from that used to hold the software.

I want to move my critical data files only (such as those stored in Gcode) to a secure mirrored drive which I have recently added to my computer set up.
I could find no option in the drop down menu's to be able to do this in M3mill.

2

General Mach Discussion / LCAM Processing of polylines from DXF

« on: June 19, 2008, 03:11:38 PM »

Sometime LCAM generates quite  efficient  G code when processing a polyline (Only a single Z movement at the start/end of the polyline- the Polyline is treated as a single chain.)
Other times the G code generated is very inefficient, The Z axis goes up and down like  a Yo-yo back  to the release plane between every component part of the  polyline, and the polyline  is treated as multiple ( often tens of) separate chains.

As in each cast the polyline consists only of arcs and straight line segments, what then is the difference that triggers the different behaviour by LCAM?

Is there anyway of ensuring LCAM treats a polyline as a single chain? is it a function of the complexity of the polyline?

3

General Mach Discussion / Unwanted rounding off of tool motion at line cut intersections in Mach3

« on: March 25, 2008, 07:32:07 AM »

I have a gcode file which specifies two straight cuts intersecting (and ending) at a point. This is correctly  shown as two straight lines intersecting at a point in blue in  the Mach3 tool path display. After a failed part, ( Corner radius too large) and subsequent detailed investigation I discovered that  Mach3  appears to round off the angle between the two straight cuts with a small radius not giving the effect I required.  On close inspection this is shown by the dotted green line  showing actual tool motion  in the tool path  display. Effectively this corner/intersection  now has a cut radius greater than the cutting tool radius. I had deliberately chosen the tool radius to equal the corner radius I was seeking.
Why does this happen and how can I get Mach3 configured to follow the G code  lines exactly?


 

4

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Screens Text and numbers do not fit screen layout/entryboxes properly

« on: January 20, 2008, 01:07:55 PM »

I normally use a hi res screen set to  1280 x1024 and experience no problems with any software except with Mach3. I have tried altering the configuration settings inside Mach3 but achieved no improvement in the appearance.  I also tried changing the screen to 1280 x 960 to maintain the same aspect ratio as 1024x768 with no effect. I am still experiencing truncated data displays. Does anyone know how to improve the presentation?