Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with Profile

« on: January 27, 2006, 05:37:29 PM »

OK, it didn't take hours this time, it's amazing how much faster it goes the second time around.
Thanks for the condolances and please forgive the panic.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with Profile

« on: January 27, 2006, 02:35:57 PM »

Yup, the backup I don't (but will) have.  Good thing this is just a hobby.
Thanks,

3

General Mach Discussion / Help with Profile

« on: January 27, 2006, 12:55:07 PM »

Help!
Power went down yesterday.  It was right at the end of the day.  Mach3 was actually closed when it happend.  Today when I started it back up, the error message is the profile is either empty, corrupt or a Mach2 profile.  This XML file contains all the settings (Pins, motor, etc.) that I spent hours setting up.  Is there any way to recover the profile XML file after it becomes corrupt?  I really don't want to spend hours setting this thing up again.
Thanks,
Tadd

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: DXF files, 0,0 and Mach3

« on: January 05, 2006, 09:13:51 AM »

Hi All,
Finally got back to this after the holiday.  Went back and did some tests to see what effect moving things after their drawn would have on how Mach3 imports the DXF file and the resulting G-code.  Turns out, any G-code that Mach3 generates is based on where the feature was ORIGINALLY drawn in relation to World 0,0.  If I want the tool to start at the center of a feature, I must draw the feature with World 0,0 at were I want the tool to start.  Can't draw the feature and then move it to 0,0.  Also, the version of AutoCad DXF file I saved it in didn't seem to make any difference.  Hope this helps others who are still on the learning curve.
Tadd

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: DXF files, 0,0 and Mach3

« on: December 26, 2005, 06:56:25 AM »

Thanks,
I'll try that, I wondered about moving things after their drawn and how AutoCAD handles the move in relation to World 0,0.  At save time there is an option to save in Rev 12, I've been saving in Rev 14.  Thanks for the info, when I get a chance, (have to take SWMBO shopping today), I'll try it and report back.
Tadd

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: DXF files, 0,0 and Mach3

« on: December 24, 2005, 06:21:37 PM »

Hello again,
I miss-spoke in the post.  I draw the object and then move it to world 0,0 so the center of the hole is at 0,0.  Am I missing something inso far as I should know were the software (Mach3) thinks 0,0 is in relation to the tool and the table?
Tadd

7

General Mach Discussion / DXF files, 0,0 and Mach3

« on: December 23, 2005, 09:09:04 PM »

Hi all, newbie here and have a question.  Just started using Mach3 and probably don’t know enough to ask the right question to solve the problem, but here goes…If this isn’t the right place for the answer, let me know.
The problem I’m having is were 0,0 ends up when the G-code is generated. 
Started importing DXF files into Mach3 for profiling and such.  When I draw the 2D part in AutoCAD 2000LT I place 0,0 (World) at some logical location such as the center of a hole or edge of a feature.
When the file is imported into Mach3, I tell it to optimize it.  When the G-code is generated, 0,0 ends up at some point away from the part (usually a short distance in the –y and –x direction) and the first move is toward  the feature edge.  This is great to look at and watch the tool path, but I have no idea where the 0,0 point is on my mill table in relation to the tool (z-0,0). 
The work around for me so far is to calculate the first (start) point in the G-code. Then move the part relative to the tool and the mill table using my non-MAch3 DRO and starting the G-code from there.  There has to be a better way.
It would be nice if I could tell Mach3 where to put 0,0 (such as where it was in the cad file).  What am I missing here.  How do I control where 0,0 is?
Thanks in advance,
Tadd