Messages

161

General Mach Discussion / Locking work offset table values

« on: April 17, 2009, 01:03:30 PM »

Hi,

I use several jigs with 8 or 10 positions for the parts.

The locations of each pocket in each jig are set in the work offset table.
i.e. jig 1 with 10 positions uses offsets 21 to 30 and jig 2 with 8 locations uses 31 to 38 etc.
The first pocket I always set to 0,0,0 to match my G54 0,0,0

The co-ordinates of these never change but can easily inadvertantly be mashed if I go and zero the machine with the wrong work offset selected.

Pilot error I know but its so easily done and if not careful I can end up milling the jig instead of the part. Is it possible to lock specific work offsets in the table to help numpties like me

regards

Derek.

162

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rectangular Shape

« on: April 05, 2009, 02:14:55 PM »

Hi,

For external corners, I always prog to roll the cutter round the corner. Its much gentler on the machine?
Might also help with your problem?

ATB
Derek

163

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and video card

« on: February 10, 2009, 04:23:03 PM »

Hi SF,

I also have been using a PC with intergrated graphics,while machining my Bridgeport has not missed a beat, it's just the Mach video window I can't get to work with the camera.

I have just tried the camera + my normal web cam on my home pc with Mach installed.
Both work cams ok in the "XP" window but fail to start in Mach.

I just don't get it

Cheers
Derek

164

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and video card

« on: February 02, 2009, 01:35:54 PM »

WindowsXP has a driver in it to run a video camera through a usb port. Mach 3 puts crosshairs and other bits onto the image produced before it is displayed, so that you can use it with Mach.

I assume an integrated video card image will not be alterable with Mach3.

My video camera did not work with my laptop, that I was using for Mach.
Since I changed it for a desk top computer, it works first time. The driver for the video is part of windows.

Thats interesting Jim, I have been having problems using a USB camera for a few weeks now.
I installed a USB2 PCI card, installed SP2 and still it did not work in Mach3, worked OK in windows so I gave up.
(The machine ran fine though, it was just the camera with the M3 video window).

I suppose now, it'll be worth installing a grapics card to see if that helps.

Cheers

Derek.

165

General Mach Discussion / Re: Why does this radius not show up on my display?

« on: January 31, 2009, 02:19:00 PM »

Hi Walt,

I get a similar thing, but this tends to be whole circles. For me its not a big problem as the machine cuts the part spot on.
Next time I'll have to look at the tool path as the machine is approaching the missing arc to see what happens with the following cross hairs.

Derek

166

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setting Z zero with Tool# other than Tool zero

« on: January 12, 2009, 02:14:33 PM »

Hi Graham,

I'm still having a real thick moment here

I thought I could zero with any tool that had been entered into the tool table.
i'e tell the machine I'm using (say) T6, zero z with that and call the TLO from the gcode.

But, thinking about it, I normally use my T0 (blank tool) to set z zero, but when using another tool I zero, I'm setting up in machine coordinates (the XYZ have red surrounds) not work coords (green surrounds) i.e I have not set Ref ALL. (have no home limits at the mo)

So if I was to ref all and set z with say my T6 and calling the TLO from the code, would that fix it for me?

I can't get to the machine to try for the next few days but will give it a try on my return.

Thanks for your help

Derek.

167

General Mach Discussion / Setting Z zero with Tool# other than Tool zero

« on: January 11, 2009, 12:56:18 PM »

Hi,

I'm quite happy to be told... "dumbo you can't do it that way" but need to check.

So, I have various tools set up in the tool table and length offsets called in the prog G43 L#, all fully understood.

But occasionally, I want to do a quickie by just chucking in a particular tool, do a rough XYZ zero with that tool (not T0) and start the chips flying.

But, the TLO is never correct. I select the tool number in the main screen before zeroing but going zero all always leaves the tool away from z0 by the value of the tool table.
This happens even if in the program I do not have a G43.

It seems that the only way I can set up first time correctly is to zero with T0.
Any ideas?

Thanks
Derek.

168

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need drawing layout of interface board for AC servor motor

« on: December 21, 2008, 06:27:12 AM »

Hi,

Breakout boards are available from various places:-
http://campbelldesigns.net/breakout-board.php
http://cncteknix.com/portal/index.php
http://www.thewarfields.com/cnccookbook/CCBreakoutBoards.htm

I use the PMDX 122 http://www.pmdx.com/

Interface cards can be made but best go for a fully developed comercial board for trouble free running.

ATB

Derek

169

PoKeys / Re: Any one tried a MPG with the PoKeys?

« on: December 03, 2008, 05:09:39 PM »

Hi Hood,

I'm interested in a Pokeys for use on an Orac conversion project. I need the MPG for X & Z handwheels so I can use the machine CNC or manual "fly by wire".
So if anyone has had sucess, I'll def order a Pokeys.

ATB

Derek,

170

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 skips to subroutine, crashes Z, ruins part :(

« on: December 03, 2008, 05:06:31 PM »

Hi,

I had some quirky happenings when using work offsets with subs (10 work offsets and 4 or 5 subs) & LTOs
If I remember correctly, when I made sure there were no blank lines (i.e just a carriage return) in the Gcode, Mach ran fine.
With the blank lines, I had a few tool crashes.

ATB

Derek.