Messages

2561

General Mach Discussion / Re: C3 - Index Pulse Card

« on: July 04, 2012, 07:56:59 AM »

Pins 10 TO 13 & 15 are inputs to Mach. So anyone of those pins can  be used for feeding the  signal back to the PP provided they are not in use.

RICH

2562

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Trouble with smooth stepper

« on: July 04, 2012, 07:44:42 AM »

santosh,
Can you define the amount of pitch variation?
Does  the pitch increase or decrease?
How accurate is the pitch from the Z=0 to  50, 100, 150 distance?

The pitch will only be as accurate as YOUR lathes mechanical "system". If the spindle maintains an accurate  rpm then the axis  must move at  a defined feedrate. The pitch accuracy is the result of the feedrate. Feedrate in terms of linear motion is the result of steps per unit, thus over a long distance if the steps per unit are not exact then the pitch will suffer and all other movements can also affect the pitch ie; backlash, acceleration, and quality of axis components, including the actual cutting action of the thread by the tool.

RICH



 

2563

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why do my inside cuts look this way?

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:53:24 AM »

It could be what Hood and Peep's posted but also make sure that the radius of the of the tool is smaller or equal to the radius of the corner your trying to cut, else the program may round the corner to suite the cutter.

RICH

2564

General Mach Discussion / Re: What would this basic part look like? CNC XZ Lathe

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:45:48 AM »

The pathing ( each of the cuts that the lathe will do ) is based on the profile of the part to be machined. The profile you draw is only the lower or upper half of the profile ( in many programs ). Thus both sides, when looking in plan or elevation view of the profile will have a radius. This is true, since as you said, the spindle is turning.

You must define to the program how you want to machine the profile. The machinng is usualy done by making more than
one machining sequence. ie; a rough cut to remove as much material  as posssible in the shortest time, then a rough / finish pass to clean up the rough, then a finish pass ...which in some cases will only remove a small amount of material and may make a single cut following the contour of the profile. So you will  need to change tools in order to accomplish the machining.

There are Wizards in Turn to accomplish simple machining tasks like your pictures and would recommend you fool around with them.

Hope this helps,

RICH

2565

General Mach Discussion / Re: What would this basic part look like? CNC XZ Lathe

« on: July 02, 2012, 05:56:22 PM »

May I suggest you have a look at the LazyTurn Manual which can be found in Members Doc's.
In one of the reference section's there is a listing of many files posted which can be opened and run.
The above should give you manny clues as to how things can be done on the lathe.
Please walk before you run.....,
RICH

2566

General Mach Discussion / Re: Move X first then Z

« on: July 02, 2012, 05:49:31 PM »

Have a look at the Mach3 manual as there is a description of all the gCodes.
A highly recomended book would be CNC Programming Handbook by Smid.
RICH

2567

General Mach Discussion / Re: Move X first then Z

« on: July 02, 2012, 05:42:53 PM »

G01 X 1.0 F1 - WOULD MOVE X 1 UNIT POSITIVE AT A FEEDRATE OF 1
G00 X1.0 - WOULD MOVE X 1 UNIT POSITIVE AT MAX RAPID RATE
G91 - IS USED TO SET  INCREMENTAL DISTANCE MODE
G90 - IS USED TO SET  ABSOLUTE DISTANCE MODE

RICH

2568

General Mach Discussion / Re: 3D Routing from AutoCAD .STL or DXF files

« on: July 02, 2012, 06:47:41 AM »

I echo what Gerry replied and also use MeshCam for 3D work. The learning curve should be rather short if your
proficient in 3D Autocad.
RICH

2569

One on one phone support. / Re: Mach3 upgrade from R3.033 to 3.043.022 stops communication to MAXNC controller

« on: July 02, 2012, 06:31:15 AM »

Run the DriverTest.exe file for the new install ( will find it in mach3 directory) which installs the driver. I think it's using the driver from the original installation.
Let us know how things go.
RICH

2570

One on one phone support. / Re: Mach3 upgrade from R3.033 to 3.043.022 stops communication to MAXNC controller

« on: July 01, 2012, 03:22:48 PM »

Check your configuration as that was probably overwritten when you installed the new version.
RICH