Messages

2251

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Cam Program - A couple quick questions for a newbie

« on: December 24, 2012, 06:33:43 AM »

Zig,

I'm not able to import the G Code into Mach3. 

The programs save a gcode file and then you just open the file ( file tab>open gcode file).

What are others using for the CAM software side of things

All depends on what you want or plan on doing. Different programs are better at doing things.
Have a look at Cambam.

RICH

2252

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Arc Question

« on: December 23, 2012, 08:37:48 AM »

BTW,
Once you have the shape done, and if you have a drilling device which you can install on the carriage, then you can drill holes using the lathe macro drilling cycles, thus not have to remove the pipe from the lathe.
Just a thought,
RICH

2253

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Arc Question

« on: December 23, 2012, 08:32:00 AM »

Richard,
LazyTurn is free, has a manual / is documented, and does outside profiles. Have a try as it may just do all you need to do.
As far as the tool is concerned you can create a parting tool and define what side the cutting edge is.

You need to pay attention to the figures in the Arc Motion write up. Figure 9 captures what can influence the generated G code.Figure 16 provides a visual as to g2 / g3 motion for front and rear tool post. Thus a lot of combinations and different motion.

RICH

2254

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: A project from a year ago

« on: December 22, 2012, 07:44:51 PM »

Nice work Dickeybird. Just did a quick glance over your posting so need to go back an look and read more carefully.
Of interest was the counterbalance for the Z. My friend has his mill's gear head mill couterbalanced ( say 400# + of weight)
and only uses a 500 in oz stepper to move the whole thing up and down VERY accurately and additionaly can use a battery powered drill to move  it manualy when he wants.

RICH

2255

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe Arc Question

« on: December 22, 2012, 07:32:17 PM »

I've read the Lathe Arc Motion document several times but it's pretty difficult stuff.

I know what you mean and I wrote it......
The document covers a lot of information and one needs to study it. Now the fun stuff was done just to show
all the different combinations depending on how the code is written for different combinations. You can just extract each part of code
and play with it . Put all together the Radius Arc Moves code just does a bunch of moves going one direction and then back.

No wonder I decided to just buy a lathe package.

I like Newton's viewpoint.....if one can write it done on a piece of paper why keep it in your egg / head......well not quite a qoute but you get the gest!

RICH

2256

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do you change motor direction.

« on: December 20, 2012, 06:35:55 AM »

Based on the other post, guess he decided to have an extraction. 
RICH

2257

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Width Setting

« on: December 20, 2012, 06:29:48 AM »

New Fangled Solutions has created a wizard for lathe use and you need to purchase a license to use it.
There are wizards in Mach that can do specific tasks.
Lazyturn is free and documented  but limited as it is more for just doing external profile work.
LazyCam has a lathe module and requires a license to use the module but Lazyturn was a replacement for LazyCam lathe
and suggest you not use LazyCam lathe as it is not totaly functional.
There is not much available for lathe use.
Dolphin Lathe is a good program which I would recommend evaluating.

From one who prefers to make chips than manualy write gcode,
RICH

2258

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z is stepping down every two seconds and i can not reset.

« on: December 20, 2012, 06:06:46 AM »

gtxkid,
By posting the additional info we can can quickly take a look at what you have, how things are configured, etc and avoid
numerous one by one questions. Thus you'll get up and running more quickly. Filling the tooth is easier than extraction.

RICH

2259

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Width Setting

« on: December 20, 2012, 05:59:08 AM »

You may want to try Lazyturn. The generated gcode will give you a flavor of the created pathing depending on what your
trying to do. There is a manual for it along with appendix's worth looking at.

RICH

2260

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G-Code Macro help needed!

« on: December 19, 2012, 04:45:36 PM »

darly01,
Just start a new topic under G code cam Discussions. I will delete what you have posted here.
RICH