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Messages - RICH

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4081
Hey Ed,
I'm starting to like this machining with no shop cleaning  to do when your done. I think they call it "arm chair machinist".  ;D Guess it's time to find the test material and try out some of the 3D cutting.

Here is a look at the top of half of the barrel. I will probably try it a few different ways. Funny thing about the  barrel is that other than the top of the bridge / ramp there is not a straight / non tapered line on it. Realy suck's to model it....... :)

RICH

4082
G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Suggestions for software.
« on: November 22, 2010, 05:37:35 PM »
 You already have CAD capability, both 2 and 3D, so you can save some bucks and just look for a 2 1/2 or 3D CAM program which
you like. I like to use whatever is the best and easiest for what i am after. If you are proficient on some CAD program then stay with it as you will only find it agrivating to learn a new CAD program in a lot of the others which inlcude one...but that's just my nickle!

AutoCAD / Microstation - CAD standards in industry
LazyCam - quick and easy for profiles or anything based on a dxf file and bridges the gap between the wizards and cam programs.
               cost is low for a pro license / $60?, but, a few of the others posted may be better for you.

CamBam - seems a lot of folks are using or trying it out
 
3D CAM
Vectric - Cut3D - limited to 3d cutting / $300 / easy to use
MeshCam - very similar to Cut3D / $175 for a short time offer  / as good or better than Cut3D ( I just purchased it )
                and is easy to use

You can generate 3D stl files from AutoCAD for use in the above.

Gerry has a AutoCad application that does what LC does and is free

Then you have the Lathe and say picture manipulation ..........thats another breed of software.
All depends on what you want or envision you will do and how much you want to spend.

RICH

4083
G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Drill Holes
« on: November 21, 2010, 06:18:18 AM »
See page 41 in the Lazycam Manual. It covers drilling.
As far as CAD is concerned you can draw a circle of any size where the holes are located.
Basicaly you select the items representing the holes, define them as a drilling, and then define the motion in LC.

RICH

4084
VB and the development of wizards / Re: Drill Wizard for Turn
« on: November 20, 2010, 07:17:52 AM »
Link to the lathe screen i use.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13548.msg88932.html#msg88932

RICH

attached a few screen pics:

4085
VB and the development of wizards / Re: Drill Wizard for Turn
« on: November 19, 2010, 07:23:37 PM »
Where's Dave PHIL ???
This one would be a good addition to the flyout screen in your lathe screen along with all the other wizards.

RICH

4086
General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with Backlash...
« on: November 19, 2010, 07:19:51 PM »
Quote
1) without backlash, X axis almost constant speed, slows a bit for the Z axis to get up to speed

Maybe, i can't really see it  when  jogging on my lathe???? but , not during a G0 or G01 move that's active and i am not sure if compensation takes place if you do a G02 or G03 move greater than 90 degrees as I would consider that  a continous move.  Would need to test since i don't recall.

Quote
2) with Mach3 backlash, when Z changes direction, X suddenly stops whilst Z changes and does comp, the X suddenly starts again

If it's an X & Z move the X is intended to stop at the same point  / time as Z, as soon as the backlash is implemented ( and how fast that is done depends on the backlash settings), X should accelerate  per your settings and if that next move is an X & Z then move rate  is governed by the slower of the axes.

Quote
3) how it could be, X predicts it has to stop (look ahead) so ramps down, Z does its thing, X ramps up again. All done together so exact profile is followed and no instant acels required.

Would still be the same motion as in 2) there is an interruption in movement although at higher speeds it may seem instantaneous.

The Maunual states " Mach3 is not able to fully honor the axis acceleration parameters when compensating for backlash. So stepper
systems will generaly have to be detuned to avoid risk of lost steps". Which brings me back to what i posted before.
"Well i would experiment some and find the operating parameters that are appropriate for your running condition and use of backlash."

Just a user like yourself, ;)
RICH


4087
VB and the development of wizards / Re: Drill Wizard for Turn
« on: November 19, 2010, 05:01:48 PM »
Wes,
If I  get some free time this weekend I'll try it out and give you feed back.
Hopefully there will some others folks who will try it.

RICH

4088
VB and the development of wizards / Re: Drill Wizard for Turn
« on: November 18, 2010, 06:06:04 PM »
I'll give the thread some time and if all works well I will put the files in the download section
Mach Tool Box.
Thanks,
RICH

4089
General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with Backlash...
« on: November 18, 2010, 05:52:50 PM »
Woody,
I have seen the "banging" you describe. My friend was showing me how screwed up backlash was ( he has about 1/8" on one axis )and i even posted  that there was a bug ( THERE WASN'T). He was runnning the axes at 100 IPM and doing reverse movements  with one of the axes during two axis moves, and yes, there was some banging going on, but no missed steps.
What do you expect to happen at those velocities......!
You can't really see what's happening at fast velocities other than the banging. If one would start with slow settings and gradualy increase them ( backlash settings and velocity ) you will find a point where the stopping of one axis and backlash implementation
creates  the situation. Since weight of the table comes into play you could start to loose steps because the motor is not capable
for the axis travel. ( there are programs that evaluate motor capabilites )
So what is one to do?
Well i would experiment some and find the operating parameters that are appriate for your running condition and use of backlash. I may add that if there was no backlash and you changed direction that quickly you still have forces acting on the system
and the "unheard banging" is pounding the crap out of your machine elsewhere.

RICH

4090
General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with the A axis
« on: November 18, 2010, 05:11:49 PM »
You got me thinking which is bad........ ;D
Other than software, there is scanning of the part but usually what you see is the scan is done along an axis and the points created are resolved to x, y, z moves. Now here is just something to think about and try.

Use Copycat to generate the code. You are going to do a manual scan ....good grief....... ???
Using the rotary table you would start at a clear part of the surface and call it A=0. Basicaly you rotate the table until you hit a point where there is a Z move, at that point you put a G0 A********* for the anglular move just made, then you input the Z movement you want
( up or down ) , move to the point where z needs to change ( up or down) in degrees, keep repeating that until you have rotated 360 deg. Now you need to move an axis for the cutter offset, then you repeat the procedure.
The movement from the code will be such that rotary table moves and then the Z cuts or retracts and the table continues rotating.

I guess you can call this the poor mans circular scan,
Never done it, but it kind of does what you are after......and within your budget to boot. ;)

BTW, Read the CopyCat Manual in Member's Docs.
RICH


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