Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Text Engraving Wizard ?

« on: January 13, 2007, 01:15:36 PM »

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to figure out how to use the Text Engraving Tool authored by German Bravo.

Using the following process...

   Launch the wizard
   Enter my initials as text
   Select a font (Bauhaus)
   Select the Write key
     Provide the following responses to the popup dialog boxes
       Feed Rate:       2
       Separation:       50
       Height:            -0.01

At this point the Text Engraving wizard closes and G-code appears on the Mach3 Program Run window.

My question is...  Why are all the G-code values set to zero?

G00 G49 G40  G17 G80 G50 G90
G21
M04 S0
G00 Z0
G00 G90 X0Y0
F2
G00 X0 Y0
G00 Z0
G01 Z0
G01 X0 Y0
G01 X0 Y0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G01 X0 Y0
G01 X0 Y0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G02 X0 Y0 I0 J0
G00 Z0
G00 X0 Y0
G00 Z0

In addition, the displayed status message reads "Zero radius arc on Line number #11".

So, what am I missing?

Bob 

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Basic tool use

« on: January 13, 2007, 12:32:10 PM »

Hi Graham,

Thank you!  That was the key I was looking for...

For those who may follow...

The T (tool) command is described in section 10.10.3 of the "Using Mach3 Mill" manual.
Search for "Select Tool".

Bob 

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Basic tool use

« on: January 13, 2007, 10:00:02 AM »

Hello Brian,

I tried entering G43 H1 on the MDI screen, but the  only thing that changed was the Z axis.

What I am looking for is the process that changes the default Tool number zero with a diameter and height of zero to my preferred selection of tool 1 with a diameter of 0.25.

If you of anyone else can point me to where this is addressed in the users manual, I would be very grateful.

Bob

24

General Mach Discussion / Basic tool use

« on: January 13, 2007, 09:09:16 AM »

Hello Everyone,

I am just getting started with CNC and could use some help.  I am using TurboCadCam to generate G-code to feed Mach3 which will drive my ShopTask mill/lathe.  At this point the hardware is working and I have my motors reasonably close.  Now that I can move the table about in a predictable pattern and speed it is almost time to start cutting something.

I am having some difficulty with the Mach3 tool configuration.

I opened the Config | ToolTable dialog and saved tool 1 as:
      Description:     End Mill, 2 flute
      Diameter:        0.2500
      Height:           0.5000

But I haven't been able to figure out how to load tool 1 or tell Mach3 that tool 1 is loaded.  That is to say the Mach3 tool displays are always zero.

What have I missed?

Bob