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31

General Mach Discussion / tool offset question

« on: June 21, 2009, 08:00:29 PM »

In Mach 3 offset window, there's a "tool offset on/off" button. What is it? I noticed that the "on" does not come on automatically when  the program that has two different tool lengths. What makes the "led" on come on automatically? And when should it be tuned on manually?


I use mastercam and , for some reason, whenever I try to run from the middle of the program using the "run from here" button,  the program automatically resets to the first line. Apparently, the "run from here" function does not appear to have any effect. Is there a check in the config  line that I am missing or is it in the program code?

Two separate questions, and if code is needed, I'll gladly provide it for clarification.
thanks in advance.
tc

32

General Mach Discussion / Weird tool offset behavior! Help!

« on: May 17, 2009, 09:49:37 PM »

This is not the first time I am using Mach 3. In fact, I've been using it on and off for the past year.  The tool offset, however, as it pertains to using two tools having different lengths and configuring their offsets has always confused me.  In the past, I managed , but I don't remember how I did it.  Now I am really stuck. 
Here my procedure:
1. Insert Tool 7
2. bring it to the work surface and zero it.
3. REgenerate
4. Insert tool 4
5. bring it to the work surface and "enter its off set by clicking "set tool offset" in the "offset panel " of Mach 3
6. Run the program.

The first part of the program that uses tool 1 works fine.

When the second part of the program starts, Mach 3 recognizes tool 4 , enters the offset, but the tool ( which is a shorter tool than tool 7) simply does not go "below the work surface" to do its work. 

I am stumbled.  I've played with the offset numbers, increasing them and changing them from negative to positive, yet the tool is unaffected.

I use Mastercam, and I do have the tool parameters, including the length, set up.  I always assumed that Mach 3 did not recognize them.

I am including the code, hoping that it might provide some clues.

One more thing.  Tool 1 is a normal end mill.  Tool 2 is a mostly a micro chuck that holds a micro drill. Because of its size, the drill sticks out appx .6 inches , while the chuck is appx 2 inches long.

One more thing, Mach 3 crashed catastrophically and had to be reinstalled.  Can my config be wrong? 
Thanks

Tc

 %
O0000
(PROGRAM NAME -  USSCHOOL_PEPSI_500ML_LED_TOOL )
(DATE=DD-MM-YY -  16-05-09  TIME=HH:MM -  12:23 )
N1 G20
N2 G0 G17 G40 G49 G80 G90
( TOOL - 7  DIA. OFF. - 0  LEN. - 7  DIA. - .068 )
N3 T7 M6
N4 G0 G90 G54 X.7189 Y1.905 A0. S50 M3
N5 G43 H7 Z.5
N6 G98 G81 Z-.5 R.1 F5.
N7 X.8383
N8 X1.455 Y1.48
N9 X1.5744
N10 X2.1911 Y1.905
N11 X2.3105
N12 X2.2672 Y1.08
N13 X1.5744 Y.63
N14 X1.455
N15 X.7622 Y1.08
N16 G80
N17 M5
N18 G91 G28 Z0.
N19 G28 X0. Y0. A0.
N20 M01
( .250 CUSTOM FLAT ENDMILL   TOOL - 4  DIA. OFF. - 0  LEN. - 0  DIA. - .25 )
N21 T4 M6
N22 G0 G90 G54 X2.1183 Y1.7179 A0. S2852 M3
N23 G43 H0 Z.5
N24 Z.1
N25 G2 Z.0177 I.077 J-.2379 F56.16
N26 Z-.0646 I.077 J-.2379
N27 Z-.147 I.077 J-.2379
N28 X2.0555 Y1.2727 Z-.2 I.077 J-.2379
N29 G1 X1.5003 Y.4495
N30 X1.529
N31 G3 X2.1073 Y.6369 R1.0306
N32 G1 X.922
N33 G2 X.7197 Y.8242 R1.0306
N34 G1 X2.3097
N35 G3 X2.4327 Y1.0116 R1.0306
N36 G1 X.5967
N37 G2 X.5232 Y1.199 R1.0306
N38 G1 X2.5062
N39 G3 X2.541 Y1.3863 R1.0305
N40 G1 X.4884
N41 G2 Y1.5737 R1.0306
N42 G1 X2.541
N43 G3 X2.5062 Y1.761 R1.0306
N44 G1 X.5232
N45 G2 X.5967 Y1.9484 R1.0305
N46 G1 X2.4327
N47 G3 X2.3097 Y2.1358 R1.0306
N48 G1 X.7197
N49 G2 X.922 Y2.3231 R1.0306
N50 G1 X2.1073
N51 G3 X1.529 Y2.5105 R1.0305
N52 G1 X1.5003
N53 Z-.1
N54 G0 Z.25
N55 X2.5553 Y1.48
N56 Z.1
N57 G1 Z-.2
N58 G3 I-1.0406 J0.
N59 G1 Z-.1
N60 G0 Z.5
N61 M5
N62 G91 G28 Z0.
N63 G28 X0. Y0. A0.
N64 M30
%

33

General Mach Discussion / how to go to z without traveling dagonally

« on: April 25, 2009, 01:47:54 PM »

At times , the tool will hit the fixtures unless the tool travels first to the y coordinate and then to the x coordinate on its way to a fixture. Is there a way to make this happen? Currently, the tool wants to always go the shortest distance, which is diagonally.  I don't have much Z travel on my CNC machine, thus the need to have this option, especially when I have two tools of very dissimilar lengths.
thanks in advance.
tc