Topics

21

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Code preparation

« on: December 19, 2006, 06:02:33 PM »

I'm newcomer to CNC; having problems generating Gcode
 I can generate gcode by checking the co-ordinates of a cad drawing and adding the 'M' and 'G' words and that seems to work but is tedious.
If I generate a DXF file and put it into LazyCam that gives good output as long as the drawn part is simple eg a triangular cut out within a triangle.
More complex shapes when dropped into LC need editing because of extra lines (not only rapids) which were not seen on the original CAD drawing
They then come apart because a required part is deleted by mistake,ie selecting   and deleting one line takes a required line with it

 Editing in Acad until only the outline required is present stilll results in extra lines when dropped into LC.
I have dropped DXF files into Acad2000 and saved them as ver12 and ver14 with little success.

How are you guys doing this, what are the ways of preparing the drawing so that LC can fix it and generate the gcode successfully.

tmsmith

22

General Mach Discussion / Lazycam

« on: November 26, 2006, 01:12:45 PM »

Is there any documentation available for Lazycam?
I am struggling to use LC though I have listened to the tutorials

tmsmith

23

General Mach Discussion / Estop help

« on: November 21, 2006, 05:53:32 PM »

I am in the process of setting up my first CNC mill using Mach3 and a Xylotex driver.

First question is how can I set the microstepping on the system?, or check what it set at, default?

Secondly how shoulld I set up an Estop button, someone out there   must have installed a reliable system.
I have seen the description in the mach3  manual but would like  more detail since I am  new at this game.

Malcolm Smith

24

General Mach Discussion / Toolpath screen size

« on: November 14, 2006, 06:31:06 PM »

Last  night I downloaded Mach3.009.
I cannot get thhe small screen showing the progress of the cutting tool to be a useful size.
With 1.84 I     had already done the adjustment though it was some months ago.
With 3.009 I can drag the screen using shift and the mouse until it fills the window but then when I start to test a program (road runner) the 'star' in the centre  fills the window and the tool trace cannot be seen.

What am I missing?