Messages

171

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing speed

« on: November 14, 2018, 07:16:28 AM »

John,
I probe at 1in/min in Mach3 when setting lathe tools and only one touch off  is used.
Yes, that is slow, BUT, accuracy is +-0.0002", repeatable. Overall time to populate
a tool table for 20 different type lathe tools takes under/about 20 minutes.

Probe feedrates need to address the users configuration, system accuracy, which include software reaction time, and axis accel/ decel  time.
Probing should not cause damage to part or tool. Must also say that any probing will only be as accurate as the users machine "system".

Probe feedrate should be an a user defined rate depending the what the probed values will be used for. If  I recall correctly min slow probe distance for Mach3 must be greater than 0.010".
 
I also probe to acquired points to automaticaly make a CAD drawing of a part. The rate varies depending the routine that will be used.

Variables associated with probing should be user adjustable / defined if the probing is not dedicated to a specific system.

FWIW,
 RICH

172

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to use OEM301

« on: November 13, 2018, 09:10:50 AM »

You will find some info on OEM code 301 in the Mach3 Macro Programmers Reference manual.
I have never used it.

RICH

173

General Mach Discussion / Re: tool offsets to run gang tooling to use mill as lathe

« on: November 11, 2018, 06:44:11 AM »

jc2010,

Here are some thoughts for your consideration.

1. Use the master tool concept since the master tool sets the basis for all the other tools.
    The tool table conatains all relevant information for any of the tools, in particular,
     the X and Z tool offsets. Note that all tools relate to the master tool but all tools relate to        
     each other. Most code today is precompensated. Do not use use both front or rear tool
     post in the tool table ( If i recall rear uses G55 WORK OFFSET).

2. Populate the tool table via probing and note that probed values are only as accurate  as
    your mill system. You are interested  in the controlled point since that is the basis for
    precompensated code. Make a tool setter to define a reference for the probing It would be    
   used in the mill's quill. You need the ability to touch off to 4 surfaces of a tool setter. Cheap    
    and easy to make. On offset adjustment to a probed value is very handy post initial probing
    of tool location for drills, reamers, etc.

3. Understand the coordinate systems and how to use them to advantage and in particular
    TOOL offsets and WORK offsets. The only time i use a different WORK offset on   the  
    lathe is when a duplicate part will be made using  the same code used for the first  /
    original part.

4. A custom screen set with appropriate VB scripting is required and takes time to create.
    Once done, life can become rather simple to get machining done. KISS applies.
 
FWIW,    thats my nickle......................

RICH

174

General Mach Discussion / Re: G-Code and Mach3

« on: November 08, 2018, 09:12:48 AM »

I assume that your work material left bottom edge is located at X & Y =0 in the attached pic.Line N220 defines the origin for your Gcode at  X & Y =0 and line N230 is the first move for the X & Y axes in the program code.

Now understand the following, and if you don't, do some study on how to set up for a job.
Mach3, the controlling software, needs to know where the actual / physical  Machine Zero is. On start up Mach3 keeps track of where the axis is using machine coordinates at all times. When you reference the machine,  the user is defining to Mach3 where physical x & y zero is.If you reference the machine and are not at X & Y zero, then you need to define to Mach3 where the material  / part is. A work offset is some distance from Machine Coordinate 0,0. Now understand that Mach defaults to  G54 offset on start up. Also undestand that G54 work offset, machine coordinate 0,0  and Work coordinates can all be at 0,0 if so desired.

Confused .....?  Go study.

RICH

175

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: A CRUTCH FOR SHOOTERS

« on: November 08, 2018, 08:23:44 AM »

Russ,
You can find crutches for next to nothing and saves time. Note that the button holes in the rear leg compared to the front leg are offset by half the amount. The legs are epoxed into the plastic bases with Gorilla 5 minute epoxy ( Devcon epoxy would be better as it is slow setting) and the working time may only be 3 minutes so make sure the fit is good. You want a fine thread on the adjusting screw in the rear leg.

I may make another one ......what else would I do with the other crutch!
For the next one, may make that the legs such that they  fold down, which makes the whole assemble more  compact.

BTW, In use make sure that you pinky finger remains on the grip after the shot since it may get pinched.


RICH

176

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / A CRUTCH FOR SHOOTERS

« on: November 07, 2018, 08:44:38 AM »

Not much machining to do for this project. I wanted a small, light weight, solid and easily adjustable pistol
rest I could take to the range which could be used for any pistol size. This rest allows one to just sit at the bench
in normal position and not be bent over when sighting the gun.The rest  will work for a small pistol like the Ruger
LCD to the large frame S&W 29 with 8” barrel.

Item #1 is a 1 ½” diameter base and allows for  2"  of fine adjustment and has a locking collar.  The small base
rest does not interfer with  one or two handed gripping of the pistol.  
  
Item #2 allows for 4" of front and 3" of rear height adjustment. The front pad has a large round filed into the
soft rubber pad.

Item #3  the bottom base, has four leveling screws and the grip bass is slotted / can be rotated 180 deg to provide
for a wide range of horizontal movement ( 2- 9”+).

Tested the rest out at the the range and works like a charm.

RICH

177

Screen designer tips and tutorials / Re: newbie help with button

« on: October 31, 2018, 09:44:08 AM »

Glen,
Yes it is possible. I assume you this is in reference to Mach3. If Mach4, the following does not apply.
 
1. You will need a screen editor, like MachScreen to add the button.
2. You can write / assign some code to manipulate the DRO value in the screen editor.
 An option could be to ceate an M code which can do the same but you will need to call the Mcode via the MDI line.

Welcome to the learning curve........................,

RICH

  

178

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: OFFSET ERROR !

« on: October 27, 2018, 04:57:19 AM »

Your axes must be  calibrated properly. Repeatability of the axis movement will only be as accurate as the axis components.
Here what you need to do:
1. Test the axis for  backlash. You need to do this in a number of positions along the total movement available. You also test the axis for backlash in both directions.
    Ideally the backlash should be the same, but you will find that it probably varies, so use a backlash value that best represents what you have found.
2. Test each axis for proper steps per unit. Test with backlash first removed, then base steps per unit on the longest axis movement available.
    You can use the axis calibration feature of Mach to do this. Once you have the steps per unit correct for the longest move, then test equal smaller moves along
    the full axis travel. You do this for both directions of movement.
3. The above basically is profiling an axis to see just how accurate YOUR axis moves. You will then have confidence in you steps per unit settings.

In actual machining spindle run out, riqidity of the machine, feedrate, type tooling , etc come into play on actual results of the finished work.
That can be addressed but need to have the axis movement correct to begin with. You have what you have, but at least you will know what you have!

RICH

179

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref. Tool in Tool table

« on: October 24, 2018, 07:40:08 AM »

ftec,
The reference tool both in mill and lathe have no offsets and I believe is internal to Mach. Don't recall reading or any post specificaly about  the philosophy.

Something to always remember is that all tools relate to the master tool and all tools relate to each other!

The reference tool has no diameter and no length so it just represents a point, a controlled point.All other tools
have geometry relative to the controlled point. The offsets vary for each tool and lathe and mill tools are different.
The tool geometry differences are represented  the tool table.

G43 is just a command to inform the controller that a tool with a different geometry, as compared to the reference tool,
will be used, and has a different length. Suggest you read up on G40 thru G49.

There is no "real" tool that has a zero radius ( no matter what you do you will never make or buy a pointed tool with no radius at the tip) as it may be small but it is not zero.

RICH

180

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 no axis movement more and many more

« on: October 23, 2018, 07:40:24 AM »

1. Best to post your xml file. The xml file contains all the settings you are using and can be found in the Mach3 directory.
    The file name is probably Mach3Turn. xml, but, make the name unique when posting it.
2. Change Kernal Speed  to 25000hz and note the Pulses Per Second value at the top of the driver test screen
    when run.
3. Make sure your hot keys are correct, best to review all configuration.
4. List the drives, any break out boards, etc. that you are using.

RICH