Messages

1751

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Cutting holes in AL sheet metal

« on: January 15, 2014, 05:15:40 PM »

No problem as I have Cambam license and like it. 

RICH

1752

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Cutting holes in AL sheet metal

« on: January 15, 2014, 02:28:15 PM »

LC comes with Mach and should  / can be installed during Mach's installation. The Pro version is a purchased item and allows the other features  to be used. See the LC  manual page 4 for info.

So don't think you have the Pro Version and thus no posting of the offset code.

RICH

1753

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Cutting holes in AL sheet metal

« on: January 14, 2014, 10:29:38 PM »

Are you using LC by itself  or  are you opening it from within Mach?
Licensed Pro Version?

RICH

1754

General Mach Discussion / Re: How fast?

« on: January 12, 2014, 05:29:30 AM »

As Hood said, run at what you feel confortable with..... safety the number one consideration. I will add as long as the machine is buit for it,is relaible, and speeds are appropriate for the task at hand.

Non of my machines will run reliably faster than 120 ipm.

The engraving machine is limited to 5 ipm and and run it at say 3 ipm. 

RICH

1755

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Lathe doesn't stop spindle during tool change.

« on: January 10, 2014, 08:35:42 PM »

Ok on stoping the spindle. I still use the motor switch.

Lots of ways I guess to work  and depends how tool table offsets are done........

I use work offsets along with the manual / quick change tool changer many times.

- I use the master tool to touch off at X&Z=0, then Zero World both axes.
- Then  move to a location that will serve as a tool change and Home location
  So i just move far enough away for the longest tool to clear the work, and the move is an easy, even, convienent, number  say X 2 Z 2.
  At that point I Zero World the X&Z again, and also Set Home for each axis.
- Now in  Part  coord I make a move back to X&Z  and zero the coords which creates a G54  offset for the part

In the gcode for a tool change you can add
G00 X....Z.... to a safe location  / no doubt about it
G28 X....Z.... at  the safe location and goes to home / tool change position
M6 T0303     Tool is changed in mach
G4 P120       ya got 5 miutes to change the tool and ged rid of that flashing indicator

Make sure you go home when program is completed.

CYCLE START and the program continues on

Make sure you go home when program is completed.

So if code is pieced together for a part from wizards etc and   based on X&Z =0 and you want to do another piece along the stock say some distance along the Z.
Just define the Z distance  in Work offsets G55 , MDI G55, rewind and run the same code again.

RICH

1756

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 with Heidenhain Control

« on: January 10, 2014, 07:35:00 AM »

I have not seen any PP info to modify it for LazyCam as LC is what it is  and may be better to use different software. See Page 32 in the Lazycam Manual which can be found in Member's Doc's as LC program options along with how Mach is configured is used for gcode output. I don't know the differences in gcode between Heidenhain and Mach but as you stated and as shown on page 32 what gcode produced for the Heidenhain controller must be appropriate.

RICH

1757

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with G42 cutter radius compensation

« on: January 10, 2014, 07:10:42 AM »

You are strongly advised not to use  this legacy feature on any axis where there is another offset applied

Smid says the same  and in his book talks about about it but one must read a number of pages.  He suggests use of of G52 which replaced
the lagacy / old command. The G52 provides a local coordinate system  associated with the active work offset ( G5x).
So not sure it's realy a bug but rather one can create problems if not used correctly.

FWIW ......by an unsharpened tack  on gcode,

RICH

1758

General Mach Discussion / Re: change computer now issues????

« on: January 09, 2014, 08:32:06 AM »

DBLC,

- Have a look at the programs gcode and see what instructions were given before and after a call for a tool change.
- Then have a read of the Mach Manual relative to configuration . There are three choices Config>General Logic
   Configuration.....top left of flyout........ Tool Change.

I will add that you don't need to be a programing wiz, but, one needs to understand the gode instructions given as they relate to ones machines configuration and setup for a job.

Otherwise............ your just driving the car in the dark with no headlights on!

RICH

1759

General Mach Discussion / Re: g-code to drawing

« on: January 08, 2014, 11:37:18 AM »

Vogavt,
I use a program which converts lathe or mill gcode for direct use with ACAD.
I can't share the program as it was created by a friend and that's just the understanding for my use.
There are programs that convert and they cost too much money in my opinion for hobbiest use.
So I test that program a lot to try and break it, never have, and provide backplotting once in a while.

RICH

 

1760

General Mach Discussion / Re: g-code to drawing

« on: January 08, 2014, 06:02:28 AM »

Post the gcode.

RICH