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Messages - Waynec

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31
General Mach Discussion / ArtCam Tool Changes
« on: January 09, 2008, 01:13:00 PM »
I'm working with Brad from Artcam to get a post processor for Mach 3.  He needs me to send him a file with a sample of what the code for a tool change looks like in Mach 3.   Is there sample or can I create a simple file that has the tool change code in it? 

When he has this he can write a post for Mach that lets Artcam create toolpath files for Mach 3 that allow a tool change.

In my case, I'll be using a manual tool change- I just want to be able to have the machine stop at the end of one tool use, move to the tool change position and let me zero the new tool, then restart the file with the new tool using cycle start.

What would this code look like?

Thanks for your help. 

Wayne C

32
G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need contact info
« on: November 22, 2007, 10:54:23 AM »
Graham,

Happy Thanksgiving to you.  I need an email address in order to send you my post.    Your profile shows your email as 'hidden'. 


Hey, do you guys celebrate Thanksgiving in U.K?  If you do, please pardon my interrupting your Holiday. 

BTW, the Artcam post also produces an RPM setting for the spindle.  Since I'm using a Porter Cable router, this generates an error when the M3 command specifies a spindle speed.  I just edit the file and remove the spindle speed setting.  But if the post can be changed to NOT insert the spindle speed but still turn on the router that would be great.

Thanks for your help. 

Wayne C

33
G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Tool Changes in Artcam Post
« on: November 21, 2007, 12:13:34 AM »
I just tried to run a file created in Artcam Pro v 9 that used two tools.  When I tried to save the toolpath Artcam gave a notice that the file required 2 tools, and the machine did not support tool changing. 

I'm using a Mach 3 inch post processor.  My machine does not have a tool changer, but I'd like to write the file with the tool change macro in Mach . 

I found a line in the post processor that is commented out that appears to enable the M6 tool changer macros.   I removed the comment semicolon and saved the post, but when I try it, I get the same message from Artcam that the file requires two tools but the machine I"m using doesn't have a tool changer.

Any ideas on how to get the tool changer macro to work with Artcam?

Thanks!

34
General Mach Discussion / Re: Almost Home!
« on: November 17, 2007, 08:15:07 PM »
Finally got a chance to check out the new Zzero routine.  It works fine.  Thanks so much for your help.  I also tried the GO TO Z, and the To Go buttons.  Now that I have these, I'm pretty much set for now.

I can adjust the plate thickness amount to get things dialed in.   

Thanks again for the help. 

WayneC

35
General Mach Discussion / Re: Almost Home!
« on: November 15, 2007, 08:21:20 PM »
Well, I'm closer.  I downloaded the screenset and loaded it.  I tried the Z Zero routine, and it seems to work.   I inputted -.125 into the input box. 

It seems to zero correctly- that is it lowers to the plate, and then ascends to 2.0 inches.  But when I run a file, it runs ABOVE the surface of the material I just zeroed to. 

So, how do I set the amount the routine RAISES the Z axis after touching the zero plate? 

And how do I look at this routine or make value changes? 

THanks again for the help.

Waynec

36
General Mach Discussion / Wow thanks!
« on: November 13, 2007, 08:43:48 PM »
I just checked back in, and I'm so impressed by the support here.  I'm so new that I'm sure I seem a total idiot, but you guys still make sure I'm up and running.  That's impressive.

I do have the Ascension, and the modified screen set for it.  Its attached here.  But I do like Scotts screen set.  If that works, I'd like to install that. 

I use Artcam cam software, which allows me to locate Z zero at the top or bottom of the material, and writes the appropriate code.  With the Z Zero plate, I typically tend to code Zero at the top of the material. 

Thanks so much for the support.  I'm really enjoying the Mach software and its versatility.  I just took a look at the Flash screens and whats possible there- wow!


37
General Mach Discussion / Almost Home!
« on: November 10, 2007, 03:21:39 PM »
I'm a shopbot convert to Mach, with an Ascension controller.  I'm learning to use the Z zero function in Mach 3, and I need a bit of help.

So far, I enter the value of the thickness of the plate, which is .125.  Then I place the plate under the axis on top of the material, and press the Touch button on the screen.  The axis slowly descends until it touches the plate, and sets the Z axis to Zero in the DRO.   

When I then cut the Gcode file with cycle start, its cutting .125 OVER the surface of the material.  I thought the purpose of the Z zero is to touch the plate, and then have the macro subtract the plate thickness to provide an exact zero at the surface of the material. 

Should I be entering the NEGATIVE value of the plate thickness- i.e - .125? 

Sorry to be so thick here.  But its all sort new to me. 

Wayne C


38
General Mach Discussion / Making a GO TO button
« on: November 10, 2007, 03:14:13 PM »
I have two or three buttons I 'd like to make operation smoother for me.

The first is a GO HOME button that would send the control point to the 0,0 corner of my spoilboard (yes, I'm a shopbotter convert with a CNC router, not a mill).  That is NOT the mechanical limits, but the corner of the spoilboard I'm looking to go to.  I understand how to use the fixture settings- what I want is a button that sends the router to the start position, corner of the spoilboard.   

The second is a tool change position.  This one I'd like to have in the GCode so that when a tool change is called for the code sends the control point to this coordinate and turns off the spindle so that I can change the tool, and then resume cutting the file when I press cycle start.  I'd like this macro to operate by a button, but also when the macro is called in Gcode.  I'd also like to have a place on screen to enter the tool change position. 

If some one has this sorta thing written I'd be grateful to have a copy.  If not, can you point me in the right direction to the tutorials for this sorta thing? 

I'm loving this program!  Nice to have this flexibility, now that I'm starting to get a handle on it.


WayneC


39
General Mach Discussion / Jerky motion on Gcode files
« on: November 04, 2007, 06:59:54 PM »
I finally got my first files running, and I'm seeing really jerky motion on both the roadrunner file and an Artcam file.  The straight sections of both seem fine, but any curves and the motion seems as if its cutting a segmented line instead of a smooth curve.

On the roadrunner file it seems less jerky.  The Artcam file is considerably simpler- just a circle inside a rectangle.  The rectangle cuts fine, but the circle is jerky.  Both files seem to smooth out if I reduce cut speed, but its very jerky even at 100 ipm, which was very smooth with my SHopbot PR controller. 

What should I check?  I'm using the Post processor that Alan of Custom CNC provided, which is a Mach 3 post.  THe post saves the file with a .cnc suffix instead of a .tap, if that makes any difference.

My machine is a  P4 2ghz with 1mb, no network or internet connection.  My controller is an Ascension 1000 connected to Shopbot Vextra motors.  I get very smooth travel for all jogging, up thru speeds as high as 300 ipm. 

Thanks for your help!

Wayne C

40
General Mach Discussion / Mach 3.56 upgrade and screen size
« on: October 28, 2007, 11:12:53 PM »
I just installed the latest version of Mach 3 on my P4 Dell machine.  Things seem to be working fine EXCEPT for the screen size.  The screen displays too small, taking up less than half of the available screen size.  The Mach window is full sized, but the actual Mach working screen, regardless of which tab I choose, is smaller.

I changed the computer screen resolution via the display settings, but it didn't fix the Mach screen size.


What setting am I missing here? 

Thanks for your help!

Wayne from White Salmon


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