Messages

2621

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: tapping head cycle?

« on: March 07, 2006, 03:41:54 AM »

Hi JH,

are all the holes in the same part?

are the holes in a regular pattern?

if so you could use a sub program

let me have more detail about the hole pattern and pitches and I will look at it for you.

Graham.

2622

General Mach Discussion / Re: Want to see the new Artsoft site?

« on: March 01, 2006, 04:15:53 PM »

Nice so far, would be better if the side menu didnt scroll up with the page.

Graham.

2623

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: NEW WIZARD IDEA

« on: March 01, 2006, 04:10:18 PM »

Hi Terry,

I think you are missing what I am saying here,  drawing pictures of components and linking them together is the easy bit.  What is more difficult is programming what you want to do with them.

The question and answer system whether text or pictures would be endless. How could you filter out unwanted options when you don't know what somebody wants to do.

The program would need so much more information than you would require as it dose not have the ability to read your mind.

Yes you can tell it a switch is on or off, but when and for what reason, what happens after the switch closes/opens, do I move a motor and how far, until the switch changes or another switch opens or do I need to loop around and keep moving until A limit is reached.

If you think about it logically you have written the program in your head.  All you have to do is convert the mental program into VB Script.

Please don't take my comments the wrong way, this is an interesting subject and you never know you may convince me to tackle it at a later date.

By the way data aquasition and processing software is what I write. I am just finishing of a DNC system at the moment.

Graham.

2624

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: NEW WIZARD IDEA

« on: March 01, 2006, 05:41:25 AM »

Hi Terry,

I here what you are saying, but you have to realize that if you were all using exactly the same hardware with exactly the same setup it would be possible to create a program to create macros as the number of options would be much reduced.

How many different tool changer option would there be?

Is it :-

1. Electric

    1.1 How is tool one indexed
          a. encoder
          1.1.a. Encoder type
                   a. rotary
                       1.1.a.a Logic type
                                  a. incremental
                                  b. absolute
                   b. Etc.   
          b. limit switch
          1.1.b. Is the limit switch
                    a. NO
                    b. NC
          c. manual
          d. Etc....

    1.2 How is the tool count indexed
          a. encoder
          b. limit switch
          c. manual
          d. Etc...
    1.3 How many tools

2. hydraulic
3. pneumatic
4. manual
5. electro/hydraulic
6. electro/pneumatic


This is a very tiny example of the type of thing you would need to build in the background of the program. 

20 lines of questions and still nowhare near a result.

The logic table for this type of program would run in to megabytes.

I am not saying its not possible, just not viable, it would take years to perfect and never be finished.

Graham.

2625

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: NEW WIZARD IDEA

« on: February 28, 2006, 04:47:33 PM »

Hi Folks,

as a programmer of some 25 years I don't get the logic in this request.

If you don't understand how to string together a list of control commands how can you possibly sequence a conversational system.  You have to understand what you want to do and how to achieve it before a conversational system can be used.  The list of options for each selection would be huge and how could you decide which one you needed if you did'nt undestand the function.

A standard CNC control e.g. Fanuc with conversational input has a limited number of functions for programming the NC code, but has no control of the machine functions e.g. tool changer, limit switches etc. , this is controlled by the PC side of the system, this is custom written for each machine tool by the manufacturer and presented to the user as a ladder diagram that is read only.

Any system that has limitless possibilities is impossible to convert to questions and graphics, hence VB script.

You could possibly learn VB script quicker than a conversational system that can not do all you require.

Regards

Graham.

2626

General Mach Discussion / Re: True 45 Degree angles on XY axis

« on: February 24, 2006, 01:04:17 PM »

Hi,

do you have back lash in the x and/or  y axis

is the cutter running off before the end of the angle

Graham.

2627

General Mach Discussion / Re: Back Lashing??

« on: February 08, 2006, 03:30:16 PM »

Hi All,

even if you set the backlash in Mach3 this will not remove the lash it just compensates for it on the movements,  if the cutter is pulling the table you will still get errors.

If you take a shallow cut just deep enough to be able to measure it do you still get the error?

Also

Is the cutter running true?

Is the cutter too far out of the collet and flexing?

Is the Z axis square to the table? if not you need to trapan the table with a clock and set it square.

Graham.

2628

General Mach Discussion / DC Spindle drive question

« on: February 07, 2006, 05:53:53 PM »

Hi All,

my lathe is fitted with a 3/4 HP spindle motor driven by a KB Electronics KBLC-240-D variable speed unit.  My question is this :- Should the spindle run at the same maximum speed in CW and CCW rotation.

Mine will do 2500 rpm CCW and only 1200 CW (reverse)

The lathe manufacturer (Warco Ltd) say this is normal,  its the first time I have seen this on a vari drive.

Any comments?

Thanks

Graham.

2629

General Mach Discussion / Re: Current point same as end point on line x

« on: January 26, 2006, 04:31:06 PM »

Hi,

Is your program running Inches or MM, Absolute or Incremental?. The sample has no start up code to say which.

in a G01  X.. Y.. ,G02 X.. Y.. R.. ,G03 X.. Y.. R.. moves it is not a start point its an end point, starting from the last point the machine was at, that is why in your code you get an error from Mach, it has no where to go to, so it can't calculate a radius with an angle of zero.

Graham.

2630

General Mach Discussion / Re: Current point same as end point on line x

« on: January 25, 2006, 03:59:59 PM »

Hi,

just a thought, is the line you are cutting one complete polly line or is it broken into segments?

On our system we have to join all the geometry together into a continuous line or we get this problem.

Graham.