Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with a lathe - 6 axis simultaneous ?

« on: March 31, 2010, 05:32:26 PM »

Thanks Graham. So it seems that Mach3 on its own can't do what we need.

If there were a way to run more than one instance of Mach3 on the same machine, and some method for synchronisation could be established, would it work to run 6 instances at the same time, doing different parts of the same job ? Obviously using different ports as well.

It might sound like a wacky idea, but what exactly would stop it from working ?

Dave.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with a lathe - 6 axis simultaneous ?

« on: March 25, 2010, 06:08:58 AM »

Thanks again. But I REALLY need to know that we're on the same page.

What would happen when you gave a G2 command with feed rates to all six axes ?

Dave.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with a lathe - 6 axis simultaneous ?

« on: March 24, 2010, 05:56:55 PM »

Hi Hood,

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Forgive my ignorance, but if it can interpolate 6 axes simultaneously, why can't it drive 6 servos simultaneously ? How many can it do ?

Thanks,

Dave.

4

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 with a lathe - 6 axis simultaneous ?

« on: March 24, 2010, 07:03:11 AM »

Hi All,

I am helping a friend build a lathe, and I need absolutely unequivocal answers to a few questions before we invest the time and effort in learning Mach3. Please will you let me know whether Mach3 can definitely do this ? I have searched the forum, but it's hard to tell when the stuff that is being talked about refers to lathes as well as milling machines.
 
"Our company is busy building a six-axis CNC lathe. This is a production machine intended for fast cycle times and is designed to have as many as four tools working simultaneously on the workpiece. The slide configuration is as follows:
1.    A Turret Slide intended mainly for internal working capable of moving in both X & Y axes
2.    A Turning Slide capable of moving in both X & Z axes
3.    A Forming Slide which moves in the X - axis only
4.    A Parting Slide which moves in the X - axis only
 
All six axes must be able to move simultaneously.We are concerned that the Mach 3 manual only mentions single tool two axis working. Is the Mach 3 software capable of driving six axes simultaneously? "

Many thanks,

Dave.

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: March 24, 2010, 06:54:25 AM »

Hi All,

My name is Dave Soane and I'm from Durban, South Africa. The place they're going to be playing a lot of soccer in a few month's time !

I am not actually a machining dude, I'm more of a software type, but I have been asked to help a friend of mine who is building a lathe and wants to use Mach3 on it. I have posted specific questions about that in the relevant section of the forum.

But in the meantime I am learning plenty, and it's very interesting. It's actually good to see software having a physical manifestation, rather than simply staying on a computer and having its only output visible on a screen.

No doubt I'll be trawling this forum and asking plenty of (dumb) questions in the future. Be gentle !

Dave.