Messages

3721

General Mach Discussion / Re: Super Simple Question

« on: March 13, 2011, 11:12:05 AM »

Is there a document that shows just simple step by step operation of Mach3?

Not really. There are two sides to Mach use, namely configuration and then setup on how an an individual will use Mach to accomplish their machining.
The manuals cover configuration but even that can be rather difficult for a new user as it is so configurable. Almost impossible to write a manual that would
cover all the possible machines out there.

Concerning actual operation, you can see just by the replies that different folks enhance Mach via screen modificatons, macros, or even basic setup before machining a piece.
Additionlay there are different types turning/ milling/ plasma each requiring a somwhat different approach to the machining.

Here is what I do most of the time ( don't have home swithes) :
- mount the workpiece
- load the program
- move / set cutter to work piece ( location based on the program code / some know piece location which i based the program on)
- reference the XYZ  
- cycle start
- code defines where i want the cutter to be when i am finished cutting the piece

RICH

3722

General Mach Discussion / Re: Loosing steps when milling slowly

« on: March 12, 2011, 05:07:21 AM »

i have used a board a bit like this to drive a proxxon MF70 without any problems (using kcam).

Was it the same board and machine along with  the same drive  settings  you are using now and did you try slow speeds at that time when using Kcam via the PP?
Post your xml file.

RICH

3723

General Mach Discussion / Re: Loosing steps when milling slowly

« on: March 11, 2011, 05:51:37 AM »

Post info on your driver and motors.
What is the amp and voltage output of your power supply?
RICH

3724

General Mach Discussion / Re: How Backlash Comp manages part zeroing and program/stop starts

« on: March 10, 2011, 06:28:43 AM »

Backlash is implemented whenever there is a change of direction and the DRO will show true axis location even though the motors received additional pulses.
RICH

3725

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: New version of CopyCat, V1.1

« on: March 10, 2011, 06:21:23 AM »

Copycat is listed as one of the Wizards and is part of New Fangled solutions so a License for Mach3 Add-ons is required to save the code.
Click the Purchase tab at the top of the screen.
RICH

3726

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: cutting depth

« on: March 08, 2011, 05:49:13 AM »

Ed,
Post the LCAM file and the generated gcode. Believe you are doing something wrong in LC . Make sure that the scale for the axis in Mach is set to 1.
Are you using the mill module? What version of LC are you using? There is a manual for LC in Members Doc's....i assume that you have read it.
RICH

3727

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Cutter compensation issues...

« on: March 07, 2011, 06:12:22 PM »

per your link see attached of the pathing,
 I see Gerry took care of things......
RICH

3728

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Cutter compensation issues...

« on: March 07, 2011, 06:00:58 PM »

Post the code and i will create a dxf for you.
RICH

3729

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: LazyCam double tracing?

« on: March 07, 2011, 06:29:24 AM »

That's for you to find out.
RICH

3730

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto-height-compensation possible?

« on: March 07, 2011, 06:27:09 AM »

There is laser scanning and then you need to mesh the point clouds from it and the software is like $500 to do that. Accuracy of the scan is around .005". Still need to be able to add the engraving you want onto the surface via CAM. All not a trivial task.

---------------------------------------
 
Just a brainstorm idea.......if you had the engraving pattern on the piece one could use CopyCat and touch off all along the engraved line and get the
the points into Gcode directly. Something to try on a rainy day.........lets call it poor mans scanning!

RICH