Messages

711

Mach Screens / Re: Where are button scripts stored?

« on: December 21, 2016, 07:42:46 AM »

Just a comment,
If the button scripting calls for some macro which was created or modified you will need to copy those over to proper directory.

RICH

712

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about rear-mounted lathe QCTP

« on: December 21, 2016, 07:35:30 AM »

The best thing I ever did was modify the screen set to utilize probing for the following:
- Find lathe center or part location.
- Probe tools and populate the tool table
- Allow for probing and adjustment of tools ie; drills / reamers / etc.
Additionaly probing can be done to get locations or copy a part and create a dxf file manualy or automaticaly depending on the probe used.

The screen was modified to open, save, export / import, reset or bring in a master tool list.

 
The screen is done to how "I want it to work" ( don't use home switches here as I have no need for them) and use soft limits ( no switches ) to get a warning if the tool called  will exceed the travel of the carriage.Also don't use any work offsets initialy. Work affsets are used for multiple parts to be done using the same gcode and can be easily changed.
 
The tool setter is simply a 1" diameter standard accurately mounted so it can be placed in the chuck and probing can be done on 4 different
surfaces.


For tool touch off:

Just zero out the tool setter, probe with master tool and probe all the
others or just any tool and the probing routine automativcaly takes care of populating the tool table. The probing is very accurate.

 
To set up a job:

Just probe the tool setter with master tool, insert stock, probe the stock end ( or some location ). Home is used as the tool change postion and all code is based on the lathe center and end of the stock. All done with a few button clicks and NO MEASURING!.

Additionaly:

Now if you want to copy or measure a profile I use the probing to get points along the profile. This is done auto or manualy depending on the
probe used. For quick and dirty a visual indication probe is used
along with MPG's to get a few selected points and a dxf file can be created or the points put right into Acad and drawn.Don't use this much but sure does come in handy at times.

Just some things you can consider as you continue to have fun,

BTW, there is a write on how someone used gang tooling and avoided the issues with front and back tool posts.
Do a search.

RICH

713

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about rear-mounted lathe QCTP

« on: December 20, 2016, 03:01:37 PM »

A clarification...................

In the tool table there is input for "Dist Front to Rear post".
This is the distance from front to rear tool post.
The distance entered will be used to adjust G55 work offset as
related to the G54 offset.

So you may wish to explore this more and see the affects if tools are mixed.
Better yet just don't mix !
 
RICH

714

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about rear-mounted lathe QCTP

« on: December 19, 2016, 06:50:17 PM »

Milton,
Do not mix front and rear tool posts, one or the other but not both. You have been warned! If I remember correctly the rear tool posts uses the G55 work offset.

RICH

Modified 12/20/16 : See Reply #4

715

Share Your GCode / Re: Total Newbie biting off more than he can chew

« on: December 19, 2016, 05:37:17 AM »

adprinter,

Glad it works for you.
When creating  the manual only DXF files were used and tested.
So not sure what bugs  one would find if other file types are used.

RICH

716

General Mach Discussion / Re: work coordinates and Machine coodinates

« on: December 16, 2016, 07:07:55 AM »

Charlie,

I have a question about work coordinates and machine coordinates.

Link to something to a members write up on Coordinates:
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,33595.0.html

BUT

I think you will learn much if you use the diagnostics screen.

A way to see how the controller keeps track of location /reacts to different button use is to go to the Dianostics Screen and try different button's and watch the DRO's on the screen. Also change values in the DRO's and see the affect.
- Ref All Home
- Zero All, Ref axis button
- De Ref All Axes ( the button is on the MDI Screen )
- jog a defined step say 0.1"
KISS....only do a small move and one axis only

Here are some basics:

The CNC Controller is a software Program called Mach 3 and provides for controlling all the movements and associated commands. The CNC controller (Mach) does not know a "practical" Machine Reference Point to work from, thus, the controllers “0,0,0” is somewhat meaningless and has unlimited movement capability.  When the controller is turned on it monitors axis movement starting from Mach's  “0,0,0” value for each axis and displays the absolute movement using Machine Coordinates.


Machine Zero is a fixed point within the physical machine travel limits and does not normally change. It is typically called Machine Reference point, machine zero, or simply Home Position.  Machine zero can be located / defined anywhere by the user.

Now you mention "Work coordinates".
In the diagnostics you will see Current Position.
Now not to confuse, but, Work Offsets are commonly called Work Coardinates and looking in the diagnostics you see that Current Position
includes Work Offset. So the DRO's are showing you Current Position which includes offsets if there are any and you are not in Machine Coordinate display.

RICH

717

Promote and discuss your product / Re: New product released from XHC Alex

« on: December 15, 2016, 11:15:32 AM »

If you got questions about our products, you can send me emails

.

Alex,
Appreciate the offer and hope your products are of quality and meet user expectations.


My thoughts were for all the  forum members on here and as you know there are 1000's.

So many times companies provide products and then expect someone else to provide support for them. Products are sold on EBAy or wherever and the purchasers are just left "holding the bag" and if it is associated with Mach they end up posting on here for support.

Our users are really great folks and assets but over time I have found them to be taken advantage of.

So again,if someone has purchased one of your products and needs assistance ..........

Do you want all of them to contact you?

If not who and how?

Comment relative to assistance from my experience.........there shouldn't be a language barrier when communications take place. Written or verbal.


RICH

718

Promote and discuss your product / Re: New product released from XHC Alex

« on: December 15, 2016, 06:53:52 AM »

Alex,

Who is going to provide  support to  user questions or problems when  using your products?
Both for Mach3 and 4.

Why not provide English only manuals for your products?

I must say that many times instructions given in Chinese provided manuals are not clear or leave something to be desired.  Need to address the issue.

Just some comments,

RICH

719

General Mach Discussion / Re: Accurate Homing and the Boards that can do that, What is everyone else doing?

« on: December 14, 2016, 10:24:24 AM »

What is everyone else doing to home their machines accurately?

I just want to do it when I start the machine up for the day

.

I don't use any homing switches on my stepper driven lathe nor do I have any fancy drives or break out board and use a quick change tool holder.

I just run a probing routine which probes a tool setter mounted in the chuck and the routine automaticaly set's the master tool from the lathes center line and at a defined  point in the Z. I then define home wherever I want it to be. Most of the time there is never a need to be more than half way down the bed from the chuck.

Fast, cheap, very accurate ( +-0.0002" repeatability).

RICH

720

Works in progress / Re: Three Page Lathe Screen

« on: December 14, 2016, 05:01:54 AM »

So your going to use the Y axis on the lathe for drilling.
Assume you will just manually move the tailstock and that the ram is motorized.
 Correct?

RICH