Messages

261

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Mach3 reads in cm and not in mm in Gcode file...

« on: March 15, 2018, 07:20:58 AM »

You may have a problem with the Dell OptiPlex.  Most of the ones I have tried to use  had bad pulse signals
and the pulse rates really varied for the PP .  May need to use an external motion device.

My experience with them, and as usual, your 's may turn out to be different!

RICH

262

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Router Convert to Plasma Questions

« on: March 15, 2018, 07:01:26 AM »

A friend uses his router table to do plasma work in his house basement / workshop. He
replaces a spoil board section with a water pan, which has a drain, uses decking boards with
evenly spaced nails sticking up to support the work. He uses an axial fan which attaches to a make
shift hood above the table and table and simple pull down clear shades to keep debri and fumes
inside the curtain area ( the router table is not ruined form plasma use) and draw out
exhaust fumes to outside.

He uses a macro to touch and fire the torch which is done using a macro.
So the macro provides probing, removes floating head travel and sets the Z height, and
acivates a output from Mach3 to fire the torch.

Controller is located close / under the table, the plasma machine about 4 feet away from the
table with the computer about 8 feet away from both the table and plasma machine. Has no
problems with fumes, sparks, electronics interference, etc.

You can use LazyCam to generate good gcode but to use the Plasma module you will need
a pro license. In use you import dxf and use the mill module as normal but prior to posting use
 the plasma module as that has imputs for torch specifics. I didn't put a plasma module use section in the manual.

So he has both worlds and frankly for min investment realy dose nice work with both machines.
It is a stepper system. You don't need to spend a fortune to do things sometimes. I must note that he
was a professional welder and knows how to set up a plasma machine to work correctly and
that in itself is half the battle to do good cutting with it.

Personaly don't use a plasma machine but thought this info would be of value.
RICH

263

General Mach Discussion / Re: getting NUMBERS to file not only DRO on screen

« on: March 14, 2018, 06:46:32 AM »

Note that measurements with any CNC machine will only be as accurate as that "machines system".
The probed objects surface finish, shop conditions etc  also come into play.
One needs to test for repeatability, accuracy and consider all the conditions associated with measuring something.
Just because the software can give you a location to a very small number does not necessarily mean that the number is really indicative of the true value.

Have fun,

RICH

264

General Mach Discussion / Re: getting NUMBERS to file not only DRO on screen

« on: March 13, 2018, 07:12:52 AM »

As TPS replied you can get  the locations the DRO represents , but, depending on what what was used to locate the locations you will need to manipulate the data.

One may not use Mach as a measurement system often but surely is handy to have for
the times you need it. May want to consider what I did for both the mill and the lathe.

Create a wizard or add a screen page for measuring. It should be generic so that you can use any probe/tip/pointing device/ camera etc for doing it manualy or automaticaly. That allows the range from quick and dirty to precise measurements with the ability to modify prior to saving it based on the device used.Output of measurement should provide choice of data format. Take it up another level and have the ability to create a DXF file or actualy draw the points or create lines and arc's in CAD from them.

RICH

265

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: G-code or button for setting radius/diameter mode?

« on: March 10, 2018, 07:26:24 PM »

You can only change the X mode via configuration under Turn Options. You can add an led to show that diameter mode is active though next to the
diameter label.

Sometimes one just needs to remember to do something.  

RICH

266

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 lathe home input

« on: March 09, 2018, 11:28:57 PM »

Use MC's to measure but start measuring with MC's =0. So if you probe with a tool and have the probed value / variable put into DRO 108 or109 then that value is the offset from the master tool which will be put into the tool table and no need to populate it manualy. KISS / just a thought!

COMMENTS ON YOUR REPLY #14:
I don't use switches since they add no value for the way I work. Frankly I keep it simple
by having MC zero, home, and tool change location all set to MC's=0,0.   KISS!

1. Tool 0 has no offsets and you cannot change them. Tool 1 would be the master and it has no offsets but you can change them. Tool 0 comes in handy if you want to move around and not do something stupid to screw up the tool table or what ever.

3. No, both the X and Z tool offset is relative. I think you are thinking of work offsets and that would be basicly true since the lathe center is X = 0 and the Z value varies depending on where the end of the stock is located along the lathe bed. Usualy  lathe gcode is based on X and Z=0 and that is the end of the stock.

4. Zero world will zero the MC and also delete / set work offset to zero value.
  
5. Hmm....what is your probing feed rate and min travel distance you allow for when     probing ?

6. You need (4) surfaces to probe lathe tools easily, else a PITA. Also you will need to provide for easily probing  / changing a tools offset. ie; probe tip, drill , reamer. whatever!
A 1" standard for checking a micrometer mounted on a ground shaft is cheap, easy and
very accurate tool setter.

Have fun......,
RICH

267

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 lathe home input

« on: March 09, 2018, 06:02:23 AM »

Suggest you consider the followong:
1. Understand the master tool concept for populating the tool table.
    The master tool is used to set a reference point and all the other tools offsets are based        
   on the master tool.  All the tools are related to each other.
2. Understand the difference between Machine, Part, and Program Coordinates.
    Machine Coordinates are absolute values and X values are in terms of radii. Tool offsets      
   in the  lathe tool table are in terms of radii.
3. Know how Work Offsets offsets are created. Mach defaults to G54. For a rear toolpost
    the offset is G55.
4. Know how to set machine coordinates and work offstes to zero values.
5. Understand how G31 works. Then you decide how you want to use it.
6. Understand tip direction as it relates to tool touch off. Most gcode  from CAM are              
    pre-compensated. In probing of lathe tools you will need a four surface tool setter
     and even with that you will still need the ability to adjust the probed offset values for            
     some types of tools.  
7. Consider using a different screen set for the lathe.
    Have a look at this one and modify to suite your needs.
    http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13548.msg88932.html#msg88932
    

I don't use the M40 macro but rather get the variable value created by G31 and directly set the current tools X or Z offset value.
 If you are collecting points that is a different story.
G31 works in Machine Cooordinates.

RICH

268

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 lathe home input

« on: March 04, 2018, 08:41:52 AM »

John,
Yes they are correct and what I use.

RICH

269

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 lathe home input

« on: February 26, 2018, 06:09:34 AM »

This is what I did:

- Created a Tool Setup Screen page in Mach3 turn for probing the different types of lathe tools. It does the following using a four sided
  tool setter:
   - Auto probes to find the lathe center and part end and sets machine coordinates to X and Z =0 also removing any  work offsets.
   - Probes the tool setter to find work offset for each tool and auto populates the tool table.
   - Provides for adjustment of tool offset values which is required for user defined tip radius , drill, reamer etc.
   - Provides for defining a tool change position
   - Modifying, adjusting, adding a new or replacing a new tool is easily done.
- Provided the ability to open, save, export, inport, reset, a tool table. There is on screen help for the tool setup screen.

I modified the main screen such that it works for the way I use the lathe. I don't use home switches as I find them rather useless but do use soft limits which are user defined. I must also note that quick change tool holders are used and have a few custom made ones which provide for live tooling, a drill chuck for small drills, and a visual probe for manual probing. The screen provides for easy referencing of the lathe  and setting / changing work offsets.

- I created an additional screen that allows for probing "whatever" such that data can be obtained, gcode created, a dxf drawing is created
  of the probing providing for manipulation of the data for some intended use. A simple  example of use is that one can probe a handle to     copy it, manipulate the dxf drawing, import into LC, and generate the gcode and run the program all quickly. One can use use probing
  for dimensional checking. ie; Used it to check runout of a rifle reloaded cartridge. Don't use that screen often but it is there when  needed.
 
Just make note of something very important:
Probing is only as accurate as your lathe system and how you use it. Tool probing must be repeatable and accurate.

RICH

270

Newfangled Mill Wizard / Re: Polyline

« on: February 25, 2018, 08:30:20 PM »

Will,

Not sure what to say as I don't use the Mill Wizard. So let not your heart be troubled as maybe someone who uses it will chime in.


RICH