Messages

4561

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help! Traning needed

« on: June 17, 2010, 09:01:54 AM »

Would be nice if you could find someone with experience as it would shorten your learning curve.
If that is not the case, then you can start by playing around with the wizards.
Between LazyCam ( say use for just getting a odd contour and converting it to Gcode - free) and the MACH wizards you can do a lot.
At least you have CAD experience which is a gret asset. Need to look at the MACH manual  and at least read through it.
Have a look at the tutorials in the LazyCam and LazyTurn manuals as they provide some practical info which is rather relative.
For GCODE I would recommend Peter Smid CNC Programming Handbook as it contains / covers the spectrum  of Gcode understanding.

No real short cut to it all and the learning curve is never ending.

RICH

4562

General Mach Discussion / Re: Licence restrictions

« on: June 17, 2010, 08:42:53 AM »

LazyCam is restricted if you don't have the pro version / license. The pro version will allow using you to create offsets, pocketing for the mill and other modules like the lathe. Documentation exist's  for using the mill and  lathe and not the other modules. The info is located in Members Docs.
Lazycam's turn module is being replaced by LazyTurn ( which is free ).

RICH

4563

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z axis G1 moves get shorter with reduced feed rate

« on: June 16, 2010, 10:38:51 PM »

What is "short" amount?
Is it consistant in the amount?

RICH

4564

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Steps per Inch?

« on: June 16, 2010, 04:41:44 PM »

Does that make since? Helpful?

Hmm....stay with STEPS / DEGREE for indexing as suggested. You want to move 90 degrees you code G0 (or G01 with a feed rate) A90.0 ...whats so hard about that.

It "could" make sense if you were slaving the rotary axis and making coordinated linear moves around a 36" piece.
If you use a stepper you will find that the feed rate will vary / won't be true / is not linear......

I wouldn't make simple indexing complicated, but ,.....do as ya wish

RICH

4565

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th Axis Steps per Inch?

« on: June 15, 2010, 11:12:29 PM »

You can do some wierd stuff by changing between linear ( ie; using steps per inch ) and rotary. I posted some info on an attachment for my Atlas Lathe conversion. Never finished exploring the use, saving that for when i retire i guess. 

Some day when i get energetic may even finish the rotary write up i started. 
RICH

4566

Tangent Corner / Re: 5C Collet Fixture/Closer

« on: June 15, 2010, 11:01:50 PM »

Russ,
Oops, thought it was 5C but it was an R8 spindle. I think the one i bought was from Little Machine Shop?
I actualy bought the complete head and column....seems prices have gone up.
Too much good junk in the basement,

RICH

4567

Tangent Corner / Re: 5C Collet Fixture/Closer

« on: June 15, 2010, 03:55:13 PM »

I doubt that there are bearings in the fixture. I am also going to guess that the closure handle is sort of cam driven to pull back / tighten
the 5C thus would need to modify it. I don't know how roburst you want something  it to be, but you can purchase a 5c mini mill head complete and then all you would need to do is adapt a mounting plate. I know it's  cheaper than that fixture.
FWIW,
RICH

4568

General Mach Discussion / Re: xml backup files

« on: June 15, 2010, 10:25:31 AM »

paul,
That file contains numerous version of xml's used and adds a number as they are updated / changed.

The best thing to do is use a program like Acronis ( worth every penny and not that expensive ) and make an image file of your total hard drive. Acronis will reinstall the operating system, so if you have a crash or say get a virus, you can just reformat the drive and then put all back to the way it was in a fraction of the time ( it's quick ).

I would suggest saving all your xml's and additionaly other stuff like plug-ins, screens, etc which are not done with a fresh install of Mach to
a safe place. It's pain to have to look for say a wizard, or drilling routine ......


RICH

4569

Tangent Corner / Re: Lousy service from Modular CNC (New Mexico)

« on: June 15, 2010, 08:02:47 AM »

I'm not going to comment any further.

You have provided a heads up to others  and i hope the transaction turns out positive for you and the seller. I quess the old saying " If i do good tell the world and if i have done bad tell me" is not reflected by the posting. I will only remark that this site is not about washing
dirty laundry, that said......enough said.

RICH

4570

General Mach Discussion / Re: What Steps/ Units Settings for Z-axis (Quill) of CNC Retrofitted Radial Machine?

« on: June 12, 2010, 10:04:45 AM »

Khalid,
Happy your happy with the adjustments.
Nothing wrong with feel, i use a torque gauge to get values. Here is a link to my anal aproach
on a small lathe.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12484.msg81868.html#msg81868
FWIW,
RICH