Messages

3131

General Mach Discussion / Re: Only getting 85% of kernel speed in mach 3

« on: November 04, 2011, 05:54:38 PM »

I tend to agree it's computer related. I would also bet that depending on the file your running it may drop even lower. 
My Dell's did the same and would drop down to as bad as say 14000 or so.
Great computer for everything except CNC, for the ten or so we tested they just plain outright ....sucked!
RICH

3132

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Help with offsetting

« on: November 04, 2011, 05:33:44 PM »

A nice drawing and a nice reply .......
RICH

3133

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: g-code from a spread sheet ?

« on: November 03, 2011, 06:18:12 AM »

There is an article in last Digital Machinist on how to use CAD to assist in writing the Gcode.
A friend of mine has written programs that will take the dxf info and convert it to a spread sheet and then creates the
Gcode. It works quite well for both the lathe and mill, but , i must say, that in the end, one can use a relatively inexpensive
program and get to the end quicker. Different stokes for different folks..........

RICH

3134

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 03, 2011, 05:50:26 AM »

So how do we get LazyCam to go GNU?  Open source?
Doubt that will happen but you can always ask Artsoft.

whats missing?
The bugs I was aware of are noted on page 22 of the manual for Mill and Turn module.
In regards to the other modules .......... the user is on their owne.

NOTED IN THE DOWNLOADS SECTION:
Due to the availability of other, more mature, low cost CAM packages, LazyCam development has ceased and it will remain
 in permanent Beta status. LazyCam is not intended - and not supported - for use in a production environment.

RICH

3135

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 02, 2011, 06:18:02 PM »

You forgot to add the part about having had few for the road......
 

3136

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 02, 2011, 05:42:02 PM »

Gary,
Lazycam is Artsoft's software and not mine. I wrote the manual for LazyCam since there was no documentation available at all other than the a video and what was posted
in the thread.The manual wasn't just written but rather developed by "hacking" away at the software in every concievable way to find out what it did and didn't do.
Lazycam was purchased as a replacement DXF importer for use along with Mach3  for importing simple drawings and providing gcode and was never intended to compete
with other software similar to it. It remains in "Beta" and no additioinal development will be done. There is no documantation on the programing for Lazycam . LazyTurn is a replacement for the lathe module in LazyCam since that module was never completely functional ( in particular the tools for the module are not complete ) but it will generate gcode for turning.

Lazycam is a DXF importer to gcode converter. How it works and the proper approach to using it  can be found in the manual. Here is the link to the manual which you can download:
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.msg77415.html#msg77415

I will say again that any user of any cnc software who is lacking fundamental knowledge of machining should invest some time and effort on fundamentals.
There are no shortcuts. If you take the time to look at the manual you will know how to use LC and probably pick up some experience. Not looking at  the manual
and using it is like having never driven before and you turn the car key and decide to take a ride to the store.

I don't know what you recieved as a package from whoever and I can only provide some support for the LC downloadable from this site and the manual info which I wrote.
That my friend is a free gift to all users, if you like it fine, if you hate it that's fine also.

RICH

3137

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 01, 2011, 09:17:32 PM »

What version of Mach and Lazycam are you using?
(For LC click Help, select Lazycam, you should be using Version 3.00.2)
Where did you get LazyCam from?
Did you download it from this site?

There is no "Tools>Loading options"

Sorry about that, should have said  "SETUP"

leadins...But it appears to do nothing.

Not true. Load a file with it checked and try loading a file with it ounchecked and you will see the difference.

Clicking send to all layers is a Fisher Price knob.

Is that what you see on your screen,ie; a Fisher Price Knob?
You didn't look at the manual, else, you wouldn't be saying that.

It appears to do nothing although it reports that it has.

Not true. If you take the time to look at page 122 in the manual you will find a listing of every know
problem that I am aware.

And every tool I have defined keeps disappearing.

See page 25 section 8.3.2 make sure you click OK.

I'm sorry. I'm dyslexic.

If possible have someone sit down with you and read the manual and they can tell exactly what to
do. BTW , nothing to worry about as i can only write.

IS there or ISN'T there a button that tells the program to just leave Z alone?  What is is called and where is it?

No there is no magic button. When you machine something with LC or any other program you need to define
 how the Z axis  will be applied to the machining task.You can't just leave Z alone in LC or else it will use the default
 values that i talked about in reply #5. See page 100 and 101and pay attention to T6-Figure 4.

I find it interesting that this blending of all 3 axis only happens when i cut arcs.

All depends on what the code calls for.

Failing that, where can a buy a g-code generator that works and has a sensible user interface?

Lazycam is a Beta product that does work within it's definition see page 5 & 6  in the manual.
The user should  read the manual and not hack at it. CNC is not plug and play no matter what program is used.
 Suggest you start trying the numerous  programs out there and decide for yourself what
 is the most appropriate program for what you intend on doing now and in the future.



RICH

3138

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 01, 2011, 05:33:51 PM »

Gary,
Have you looked at the LC Manual which can be found in Members Doc's?

Nothing wrong with the dxf.
LC does have a default setting. If you do not select what you want to machine, define a tool or any of the settings in the layers tab on the bottom of the screen, it will generate code for whatever is shown in the graphics area and the Z retract will be +1 and the Z will then stop at 0.

Under the Tools> Loading option you have a choice to automaticaly add lead-in's if you so desire. If you don't have that checked or later add  them to a machining operation, then LC will just plunge straight into the material.

If you want to cut out the parts exactly at / on what is the drawn line drawn then you can just define the Cut in layers to get the desired depth.
If you want to cut to depth multiple times then you need to define a tool and it's associated parameters...one of which is Per Pass which is the max cut depth for a pass.

If you want to cut away from the drawn line by some distance then you need to create an offset. A license is required to do offsets.

Have a read of the manual and also look at the tutorials.

RICH

3139

General Mach Discussion / Re: Max speed Gecko

« on: November 01, 2011, 06:49:37 AM »

I just wanted to test the maximum speed for fun

Not for fun, but rather part of tuning to find where to set the max velocity and acceleration that one should use.
Remember that torque drops off as stepper speed increases and what you want is max power which occurs at max velocity at some torque value.
That range is only found through trial and error unles you have a motor curve which you can relate the settings to.

RICH

3140

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Noobie here, thanks in advance for the nice RTFM

« on: November 01, 2011, 06:40:35 AM »

Gary,

What is "lead in", btw?

Lead in / lead out provides a movement of the cutter into the material other than just plunging down into it.
There are numerous options which you can select.  Lead in/ out is required on the approach and exit when using cutter offset compensation
but can be appied to offsetting allowing for improved machining of the piece.

a FREE g-code reader/editor that printed various lines in different colors

Not aware of a free one

Can you post the LCAM file from LC?

RICH