Messages

3481

General Mach Discussion / Re: Incorrect Router Repositioning

« on: June 30, 2011, 06:22:50 AM »

Incremental mode is shown and the first move is from x&y=0 to the circle. So you may be referencing the axis at the wrong place.
RICH

3482

General Mach Discussion / Re: update mach mill settings lost?? what is best way to fix

« on: June 29, 2011, 09:50:39 PM »

Find the xml file in your backup that you used and just copy it to the mach directory. That will give you back your configuration.
RICH

3483

General Mach Discussion / Re: OD Taper Wizard Help Needed

« on: June 29, 2011, 09:35:50 PM »

I haven't used the OD taper wizard in some time and will need to repost to this thread since i was using a modified version of that wizard.
If i remember correctly the original wizard did not provide the correct angle from the code and the angle is 1/2 the total angle. By incorrect angle i am meaing
that when the G code is backplotted and looked at in CAD you will find that it is off by a small amount.......rounds to nearest angle???

I'll try and find my notes and see why a friend modified that wizard for me. Also that wizard doesn't have any built in safeguards.

Sorry if I cause confusion but will clarify when i find my notes..........Just a case of young senior memory moment.....
RICH

3484

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle RPM lock error while threading

« on: June 29, 2011, 09:17:48 PM »

which version of Mach 3 was the last before the threading cycle was changed

I would need to go back a number of years since it was actualy broke at one time and if memory serves me it was even before R3.041.22.... forget the past versions  for threading.
Use at least  3.042.032 and even better 3.042.034 and beyond.....I use 034.

I don't need the spindle speed correction in the new threading cycle as my spindle doesn't change speed when cutting threads.

Well maybe .....but...... it is changing some and you just can't see it via a DRO. For the most accurate threading the spindle speed averaging can help some, it all depends on
just how good your lathe system is and you will need to really accurately measure the thread lead over the length to even find accuracy differences. The basis of Mach holding a lead accuracy is shown in the write-up in figure 4.4.5. Class 1 threads, when not chasing, will be not be possible for most lathe users.  If you are happy with the results then don't check it's use in config. 

try to get the threading tool to withdraw during the last turn now.

The axis needs to be fast enough to withdraw during the degree of rotation and the Z  must slow down to achieve the pullout. A 90 degree pullout at fast feedrates for example would be impossible. See the note at the top of page 34 in the write-up on the L value. The fastest I  could test threading at was around 120 IPM and that was scary fast threading for me.

BTW, I like to use G32 code output from the wizard as i can see the code for each pass and makes for easy modification in one so desires. To each their owne.

RICH 

3485

General Mach Discussion / Re: Missed steps and motor settings

« on: June 27, 2011, 06:15:48 AM »

You have a lot of small two axis moves. I will assume that the mechanical accuracy of the machine is adequate for what you want to do.
To check the Z, you  may want to write a small subroutine with the equivilant amount of Z moves and see overall how well it does the movements.
You need a adequate controller which can drive the motors such that acceleration and velocity desired can be done. So lower the accel and velocity
and see what happens.

It is very difficult to find where you are skipping when doing profile work since you can have missed steps, never hear it, and can't replicate it.
Just make sure that all the usual stuff is not the culprit first.

RICH

3486

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 GCode line limit

« on: June 27, 2011, 05:53:27 AM »

LT posted code will include all the toolpaths that are currently displayed in the Project info even if a toolpath is turned off. It's easy to edit the code
since the paths have a desription added but then you need to make sure that inital moves between the passes are appropriate. Will also note that LT
doesn't post code for a profile cut so it's all x & z moves. You can reduce the amount of code by having arcs in your CAD file and increasing the depth
of cut for the rough passes and minimizing the rough finish pass depth.

After trying Mach3 you should make up your mind if you like it and if so purchase it.
You will find out that there are other things that don't work in Mach if it's unlicensed.

RICH

3487

General Mach Discussion / Re: WANTED: Touch Probe setup with 0.1mm resolution.

« on: June 26, 2011, 07:33:07 PM »

Chris,

politically incorrect

At least I know you'll never starve in the virtual world.
RICH

3488

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are people getting emails sent to them of resopnces they made in a post ?

« on: June 25, 2011, 07:32:07 AM »

Works on my end for years also.
RICH

3489

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Custom Guitars

« on: June 24, 2011, 08:02:48 PM »

Nice work and hope the boy makes a mill so he give a bunch or at least a free guitar.
RICH

3490

General Mach Discussion / Re: WANTED: Touch Probe setup with 0.1mm resolution.

« on: June 22, 2011, 09:58:49 PM »

Chris,
Have you looked into laser scanning. One of them uses a web cam and then pieces the scan via some software.
The software was around $500.

There is a small portable comercial laser scanner that you can use along with a rotary table. I think the scanner along with software was around $2000.
The end results were around 0.003"  but that depended on distance and think it was 12" away.

Just an option to consider.
RICH