Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: No Spindel Speed in Display after update, no threading...

« on: August 10, 2015, 11:58:38 AM »

I have the same problem. No actual RPM displayed in newer versions after 2.63 but ports and pins correct. Not sure which version was the first to lose the actual RPM.

Also I think in 2.63 the threading works but fillets don't. I use the R value for fillet radius when G coding by hand. Not sure if the IJ ( or IK, what ever it is in Turn ) code works in 2.63.
So if I have a job with fillets I have to install a different version of Mach 3 then have to go back to 2.63 to cut threads.

I am now having trouble cutting long threads M20 x 170mm long. There seems to be slight variations in the feed rate. The thread is ok for the first 90mm then the cut gradually becomes wider over the rest of the thread due to pitch errors.
I've only done threads 75mm long maximum before this so I haven't noticed the pitch error. Maybe it's a rounding error when sensing the RPM before each cut. The RPM displayed is constant but only to zero decimal places.

Is there a version of Mach 3 with all these issues fixed ? I've been through the changelog and noticed they start talking about a threading plugin. Is this a separate plugin that needs to be installed so you can get the actual RPM to display ?
Is there a way to cut long threads without pitch errors ? I'm using the parallel port but could use a ESS if required, however I remember seeing somewhere on a forum that threading was not supported on the ESS.

Glen.

2

Feature Requests / BED ERROR CORRECTION

« on: December 14, 2013, 04:16:06 AM »

Some large or home built machines need to be able to compensate for inaccuracies in the machine frame. Some motion control cards have this function - eg DeltaTau PMAC.
You already have screw mapping which is a similar function so I would assume it wouldn't be hard to implement this.
Our machines are about 12 metres long welded structures similar to a lathe. The PMAC takes care of the inaccuracies in the frame.

3

Works in progress / Re: THE LATHE PROJECT-2011 - WIZARDS SCREENS ONLY

« on: August 10, 2011, 12:42:29 PM »

Can you put a G95 posting option for the turn wizards ?
Thanks,
Glen.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle RPM lock error while threading

« on: June 30, 2011, 12:35:57 PM »

Thanks Rich,
It looks like a high value in the CV setting makes it withdraw the tool early to try and keep a constant velocity - inadvertently creating the correct tool withdrawal function. I had set this to a low value when I reinstalled Mach 3 because I've had major accuracy issues using CV on a router. The threads I was cutting were 2mm pitch @ 300 RPM.

The original point I made about the displayed actual RPM in version  R3.043.022 being wrong above 600 RPM seems valid as it was fixed as soon as I installed Version R2.63.

Also, there has been a bug with the G Code window for a long time. I don't know if it has been fixed in later versions but the way to test it is to feed hold while running a G Code and then press Edit G Code. I realize it's not something you would normally do, but you can forget it's only in feed hold and not stop if you're looking for an error in the G Code. The last time the bug occurred I had only scrolled down in the G Code window and then wanted to change something in the code. The bug produces a never ending cycle of error messages until it locks up the computer. This is in Mach 3 Turn ( several versions ).

Regards, Glen.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle RPM lock error while threading

« on: June 28, 2011, 10:39:09 AM »

I had a look in the changelog but couldn't make out where the complete rebuild of the threading function started. There seemed to be many comments like "Threading Driver update for the P POrt" & "Driver update for threading".

I've installed Version R2.63 and most of the problems I mentioned in R3.043.022 disappeared. The spindle speed now displays correctly and the thread can be re-cut. I just have to try to get the threading tool to withdraw during the last turn now.

I'm sure the "L" value in the G76 cycle used to be the number of degrees of rotation it takes to withdraw the tool. In R3.043.022  if the "L" value is 45 it cuts a sharp groove for a full rotation after the Z axis has stopped and then does a 45 degree chamfer. An "L" value of 45 should withdraw the tool during 45 degrees of rotation. An "L" value of zero should remove the tool at maximum speed at the end of the last rotation of the helix BEFORE the z axis stops moving.

All the parts I have made before had the tool withdraw without leaving a groove and had an "L" value of zero.

A sharp groove is the best way to make the weakest possible component.

Thanks,
Glen.


I may try an even earlier version of Mach 3 to see if it fixes it later.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle RPM lock error while threading

« on: June 28, 2011, 09:21:43 AM »

I've just upgraded to R3.043.022 and have seen similar problems that I didn't have in the old version ( R2.something).
The spindle speed doesn't show the right value above 600RPM ( used to be ok at 1000 RPM ). This happened very occasionally with the old version but was instantly fixed by restarting Mach3, however it seemed more of a scaling factor than what is happening now. Now it seems to be a permanent fault.

Also the threads finish with a groove instead of withdrawing the tool ( creating a shear point ), using the same G Code that used to withdraw the tool during the last turn of the chuck.
I used a "run from here command" to go over the thread again ( a few lines before the threading cycle ) and it didn't pick up the thread exactly - this has never happened before.

The spindle pulse is fiber optic so there is no noise getting into the signal. It was perfect right up until Mach 3 was upgraded.

Everything was fine with the old version until I tried to edit the G Code after scrolling down a bit in the G Code window in Mach 3. I got an error message asking if I wanted Mach 3 to recover-which flashed about 100 times, and had to reboot the computer. I couldn't get Mach 3 running again so I updated to R3.043.022.

I would like to know which version of Mach 3 was the last before the threading cycle was changed. I don't need the spindle speed correction in the new threading cycle as my spindle doesn't change speed when cutting threads.

Thanks,
Glen.

7

Works in progress / Re: THE LATHE PROJECT-2011 - WIZARDS SCREENS ONLY

« on: April 29, 2011, 02:38:11 PM »

Thanks.I ended up writing the G Code by hand and then pasted it into excell. Then I could insert a couple of relevant dimensions and create many different G codes - sort of like a wizard but limited to the specific job I was doing.
Glen.

8

Works in progress / Re: THE LATHE PROJECT-2011 - WIZARDS SCREENS ONLY

« on: April 23, 2011, 03:14:11 PM »

Is there a way to over ride the "Angle <=0.1 degrees" error in the OD Taper Wizard? ( The one at the bottom left corner of the wizard selection screen ) I have to turn some tapers that are a 1mm reduction in diameter over 322mm length. This creates a taper of 0.088 degrees. There doesn't seem to be a need for this error to occur. It works fine with tapers above 0.1 degrees. Are there any other options that I can use straight away ?
Thanks,
Glen.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: whats happening with threading

« on: April 12, 2011, 08:10:40 AM »

Actually this is what i was looking for. It was in version 1.84 but I don't know how successful it was as it seems to have been removed in later versions.

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: whats happening with threading

« on: April 12, 2011, 07:59:34 AM »

You're right, it would be easier using the right insert in the long term.
Thanks for your help. ( nearly 14,000 posts - wow )