Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Merry Christmas

« on: December 25, 2013, 10:27:29 AM »

Wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone on the forum and to the Administrators who always go the extra mile to help those that need it.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: thread problem

« on: January 15, 2009, 10:38:27 AM »

Go back to 1 pulse per rev on the index and add a 2 second delay to the program before starting the threading cycle. This worked for me even though mach3 has a delay built in to the threading. You could also try using a G32 thread as you can then see each cut of the thread in the program.

Jim.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 15, 2008, 03:53:44 PM »

Problem sorted.  I needed a 3 second delay before threading to give the machine time to reduce RPM from 2000 on turning to 400 for threading.

Thanks to Hood for the advise and to Brian for the solution. Much appreciated.

Jim  

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 15, 2008, 01:40:26 PM »

Hi Hood

Well I ran the plugin and lo and behold the first two passes have no Index pulse, after that it finds the Index pulse and runs as normal.
I've emailed support so we shall see if its my setup or Mach.
Do you know where I can get the smoothstepper in the UK? If so it might be a good idea to get one.
I'm in the Isle of Wight by the way otherwise I could drop in for a chat hi.

jim.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 15, 2008, 10:31:38 AM »

I tell a lie, first pass of the thread runs at 2mm pitch, second pass runs at 0.95 pitch, it's not until the third pass does the thread pitch revert to the programmed pitch of 1.411mm.
Have checked all my settings, spindle index led works on the Diags page so Mach should pick this up, also turned off spindle speed averaging.
Anyhow, I've added two lines of code to my G32 thread, two air cuts then do the thread. This seems to work on G32 but I think G76 will be a no no.
I'm starting to look kindly at SmoothStepper, pity the exchange rate is bad.

jim.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 14, 2008, 06:03:03 PM »

Ok,  thanks for the reply.

jim.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 14, 2008, 05:35:48 PM »

Hi Hood,

No it's actually doing 1.8mm on the first cut , then it does the programmed thread of 1.411, which leaves the thread crest torn up. Suppose I could try a cut above the thread dia. on the first pass then do the actual thread in subsequent passes, using G32 it would be possible. Be a pain in the A.. if I have to do it on all threads though.
Are you using V3.o42.18?, are your threads OK?.

Jim

8

General Mach Discussion / Lathe Screwcutting problem

« on: November 14, 2008, 03:15:58 PM »

Hi,

I'm using the latest version of Mach 3, V3.042.18 and I have a lathe threading problem.
On the first pass of the tool I get a different feed to the one programmed in the G76 canned cycle, the same when using G32.
For example if I set a pitch of 1.411mm (18tpi) the first pass of the tool shows a feed of 1.8mm,as shown by the DRO, then all the rest of the passes are correct at 1.411.

I know it's me but I can't see what I'm doing wrong.

Jim.

9

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Denford lathe 8 position BCD (3 input slot reader), ATC M6

« on: August 25, 2008, 01:44:45 PM »

This Macro, slightly changed to suit 4 inputs, also works on my Emco 220 lathe, but is not "safe" as I have Mach3 set up with a switch to manually revolve the turret so as to set up tools. so if the DRO is showing tool 1 and the toolchanger is actually on tool 3 if I enter "tool 1" the changer stays where it is as the control thinks its still on tool 1.
Is there a way to dynamically update the tool number on the DRO as the changer goes round or should I throw away the switch? 

Jim.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Conversational programation of mach3 lathe

« on: May 16, 2008, 07:21:48 PM »

Fair point,   but it would be nice to have a text editor within Mach3 that could assemble a program from wizards/sub programs.  Mach3 is without doubt the best easily accessable CNC control software there is, and can be used on any machine with moving axis's, and it is still evolving and will continue to evolve as long as those using it can think of ways to make the end product easier to produce.

If I was clever I would have a go at writing a conversational package for Mach, but then if I was clever I wouldn't be standing in front of a lathe all day. hi hi.

Jim