Messages

2341

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor tuning

« on: December 06, 2006, 08:26:42 PM »

Hi Salty72,

My theory is this :-

based on the code you posted the longest single move in the file is approx 0.9mm, if your router is running at even 20% of 2600mm/min this is still 520mm/min how on earth can your axis drives possibly get any where near that speed and back to 0 in .9mm moves.

If you add up the total distance to travel its only 250mm so at 200mm/min its only going to take 75 seconds.

So 1min 43 secs at 4600mm/min ain't right.

I have 2 machines on the same job 1 rapids at 40 meters/min the other rapids at 10 meters/min over short moves the 10 metre machine is faster.

Graham.

2342

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor tuning

« on: December 06, 2006, 01:55:47 PM »

Hi Salty,

This may sound daft but drop the feed rate down to 200mm/min and see how that cuts, it should cut sweet.

Chances are it will cut it just as quick.

Graham.

2343

Tangent Corner / Re: CNC telescope mirror grinder.

« on: December 06, 2006, 08:35:18 AM »

I would stay away from the guys that made the Hubble one. 

Graham.

2344

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach ? to control Starturn 5

« on: December 05, 2006, 02:49:47 PM »

You could use a second parallel port or a Mod IO card form Peter Homann,  then its just a case of writing a bit of code to set the outputs and pulse the PLC.

This can be done in the M6Start macro.

The PLC software first reads the inputs and changes the tool. When its finished it can set the output.

Then Machs M6end macro waits for the finish command.

Graham.

2345

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach ? to control Starturn 5

« on: December 05, 2006, 01:37:57 PM »

Using 2 outputs you can select 1 of 4 tools, then pulse a third output to activate the PLC.

Using more outputs you can select many more.

If you use a RS232 to 8 bit TTL convertor you could select 1 of 255 tools. Then swap the outputs to inputs and see what tool is in the cutting position.

Graham.
 

2346

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach ? to control Starturn 5

« on: December 05, 2006, 11:54:04 AM »

Call tool 1 at the start of your program, if the PLC software is written right it will know where tool 1 is by the opto sensors.

Graham.

2347

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My Boxford VMC190

« on: December 04, 2006, 06:42:30 PM »

Hi TMSmith,

Email me.

Graham.

2348

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Grex & MPG's

« on: December 04, 2006, 12:26:23 PM »

Do you want to sell the Grex?

Graham.

2349

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G42 problem

« on: December 04, 2006, 11:16:10 AM »

In my opinion the 'P' version of G41/42 is dangerous and a pain to use.

If you have any more than one in the code there is always the chance one could get missed when editing the size, also the code has to be output to an editor and reloaded just to do this.

Not only that but why should you have to change a whole load of them when changing 1 offset value will do it all.

It is far better to use 'D' with compensation, not only do you have the diameter offset but also the wear offset to compensate for minor tool variations.

There is the bonus of being able to have the contour in a sub program and using it for both roughing and finishing just by changing the 'D' number in the main program. If anybody wants to see how this is done, ask

Learn to do it like the professionals do it,  FORGET THE 'P'

Graham.

2350

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: G42 problem

« on: December 04, 2006, 03:50:12 AM »

Hi Michael,

I have looked at your files and all look OK,  I think the problem is with Lcam, its just not putting the compensation size (P) or a tool offset (D) into the code.

This is what I would do :-

Create your programs with Lcam

Set a tool length and diameter in the tool offset table, use tool 1 with a length of 0.00 and a diameter of .0625"

On the first G41/G42 in your program add D1, you do not need to do this for every G41/G42 as D1 is global.

e.g.

N5 (File Rib1 )
N10 (Default Mill Post)
N15 (File Posted in Mill Mode)
N20 (Sunday, December 03, 2006)
N25 G90 G80 G40 G91.1
N30 G0  Z1.0000
N35  X1.3309  Y1.9273
N40  Z0.2500
N45 M3
N50 G1  Z-0.1250  F10.00
N55 G42 D1
N60  X1.5034   F15.00
...........

This will make Mach use the tool offset you set in tool 1 for the compensation on the contours.

Try this with the tool just scratching the face of the material, you should be able to measure the size to comfirm all is well.

This is what my Sim gives as the profile.

Graham.