Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 13, 2009, 11:32:53 AM »

This problem isn't normal right?  I mean, typically on a milling machine with the quill up all the way, that is considered zero and any movement downward is negative. Correct?

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 13, 2009, 11:31:16 AM »

I'm currently at work so this version of Mach 3 isn't setup the same as my one at home.  Isn't there a file I can copy from my home pc to this one that will bring all the settings with it?

Regardless, here is a screen shot that shows the simple code and a view of the toolpath.  HOWEVER, this one is shown correct.  My machine PC would show the Z movement flipped.

I guess I can't attach an image.  It appears as though I must post a link to a hosting site, which I can't do from work.

Here's the code:

(Code by Newfangled Wizard, 5/13/2009)
(Program Posted for Aluminum )
G0 G49 G40.1 G17
G80 G50 G90 G98 
G20 (Inch)
(***** Linear Hole Pattern *****)
M6 T1
M03 S4000
M7 (Mist On)
G00G43 H1 Z0.2
G73 X1 Y1 Z-1 Q0.05 R0.2 F7.9
G91 X1 Y0 L1
G80
G90
M5 M9
M30

23

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / G73 retract amount vs. Mach configuration for G73 pullback

« on: May 13, 2009, 11:06:46 AM »

What takes precedence? 

Using the NFS wizards for drilling some holes, it didn't seem to matter what R value I entered, it always wanted to retract 0.1".  Do I need to go the the "Mill Options" and "General Options" and adjust this value to change what Mach 3 is going to use?

24

General Mach Discussion / very simple manual tool change question

« on: May 13, 2009, 10:55:41 AM »

I'm using the NFS wizards to create some parts and have about 9 different wizard gcodes output into the same file.  This includes using three different tools.  Currently, I have it setup to ignore tool changes (because I didn't know any better), however once I change this to "Stop spindle, wait for Cyclestart", I would like to also move the tool away from the work piece so I can physically change it.  I don't mind manually placing the code into each file as needed.  What all do I need to include?


M6 (tool change) - should stop the spindle?
G0 Z1.0 (Raise it up)
G0 X6 Y0 (move the tool to the right of the work piece)
(Perform the tool change here)
(Press cycle start at this point and it should start the spindle again and begin the next section of Gcode)

My X, Y, and Z values would be different for each piece I'm working on.

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Any way I can get Mach to send me an email when it's finished?

« on: May 13, 2009, 10:37:02 AM »

Here's an idea...

Just mount a cellphone to the table, and at the end of your program have the spindle stop and rapid over to the phone and dial your number. 

26

General Mach Discussion / Re: Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 13, 2009, 09:58:46 AM »

NFS wizards...  Last night I was drilling some holes (used the linear hole wizard).  All the toolpaths show it moving to the correct X and Y location, then traveling upwards on the screen to do the drilling.  In reality the drill bit is traveling downwards into the material and my Z is getting more negative as it drills downwards. 

I figured I must have something configured incorrectly somewhere.  It's like the toolpath view has a configuration somewhere to select whether Z is normally pointing upwards or downwards (for positive values).  My small X,Y,Z indicator shows that Z is pointing straight down.

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 13, 2009, 01:05:03 AM »

I've been setting the cut depth negative, however does the peck depth or step depth need to be negative as well?

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 13, 2009, 12:04:38 AM »

In machine coords when your z axis is fully up is it zero and then any move down into the work is a negative?
Hood

Yes

29

General Mach Discussion / Toolpath screen in Mach3 is upside down?

« on: May 11, 2009, 09:25:50 AM »

I figure this is probably something really easy I can't find...

My toolpath view in Mach3 is always upside down?  If I am surfacing a material in three passes, it shows the bottom cut first, then the middle, then the top (as shown in the toolpath view), however on the part it is obviously cutting from the top down.  What am I missing?

Thanks

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 06, 2009, 11:25:22 PM »

WooHoo!

Got it figured out.  I didn't have my charge pump ckt enabled as an output from Mach 3.  The PMDX board wasn't allowing any outputs because of the lack of signal.

We have movement now!