Topics

11

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Plastic Injection Molding

« on: January 07, 2014, 06:56:40 PM »

I am aware, that this is not a mach 3 project (although mach 3 was used in carving the pattern for the actual mold). But I thought that I would post this here, to see if others have tried such a project. I started construction on this machine 2 months ago, and am finally down to the final stages of being ready to test it out for the very first time. (However, a cold wave has invaded Georgia, and it is simply too cold to be out in my unheated shop for the next few days).
The inspiration for this machine, was (of course) a You tube video. As a way of recycling plastic soda bottles, etc. Although the first one I saw, was actually marketing a kit for installation onto a drill press (and selling plastic beads to feed into it). In my case, I have sliced up several empty 2 liter soda bottles into little squares about 1/2" each. And designed a funnel opening on the machine into which I can pour them for melting.
Anyway, I am just curious to see what others have done along these lines.
As I said, it is COLD here now, so I will post pictures in a couple of days when the weather warms up enough to take the camera to the shop, (without fogging the lens!).

12

Feature Requests / DRO Box which displays Tool Change Line Numbers

« on: March 01, 2012, 10:17:50 AM »

This has been suggested before elsewhere in the forums. However, it would be really nice to have this feature as a part of the Main Program Screen in Mach3.
Additonally, perhaps a "Count down to Tool Change" Timer box.

13

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Custom Wood Carvings

« on: December 31, 2011, 05:28:04 AM »

I've been busy lately, mostly doing these as Christmas gifts for family (and a few customers). These are done from laminated Oak (recycled tractor-trailer flooring).
Basic shape is carved on the home built CNC router, then hand detailed with a Dremel tool.
Enjoy!

14

FAQs / Axis Limits in Toolpath screen

« on: November 01, 2011, 02:10:34 PM »

I am using MeshCAM Art to create 3D toolpaths for wood carvings on my Router table. I have encountered a problem, that I have been unable to dechipher.
Upon loading the G Code file created by MeshCAM Art, and then navigating to the Toolpath screen in Mach and clicking Regenerate Toolpath button (something I have made it a habit of always doing, to check that the program limits in Mach 3 match what was created in MeshCAM).
  Mach reads through the entire file, and updates the program limits for each axis. However, (and this is the core of the problem) the Z axis positive limit DRO now reads a NEGATIVE number. NOT GOOD, since depending on the program file loaded, indicates that the tool will start out by being plunged as deep as .25" into the work piece when it is supposed to be in a retracted position of 0.100" above the stock!
  After multiple attempts of starting over from scratch (I.E. -recreating the G code file in MeshCAM Art, and loading into Mach3), the problem persists. The tool retract in MeshCAM Art is set to 0.100" above the stock, and in the past has always generated G code which reflects this in the Mach3 program limits on the Toolpath screen. SOMETHING has changed in Mach3 for this to be happening, and I just can't seem to find exactly WHAT is causing this!!!??
It is important to note here, that when the file is initially loaded into Mach, the program limits for all axis read correctly EXCEPT the positive Z limit, which reads 0.000" subsequent Regenerate Toolpath clicks yield the Negative value in the positive Z limit DRO. Does Anyone have any suggestions on where to look?

15

Feature Requests / List tool change line numbers

« on: October 25, 2011, 11:52:20 AM »

I know that Mach examines the entire g code file upon opening into Mach3 to generate the toolpath. It would be great, if a field were added on the main program window which lists all tool change line numbers. This would be a great convenience, in the event of a broken bit (so that after changing the bit, and re-zero of the Z one could return to the tool change and set line number for Run From Here).
Seems like every time this has happened, I FAILED to record the line number during tool changes to know where to Set Next Line at within the program.
Even if this info could be recorded into the History file, at least this would provide a method of determining tool change line number locations OTHER than manually editing the file, and doing a search in order to find them. Since Mach has no way of sensing when a cutter bit breaks, by "going back" in the g code to the last tool change which occurred, I have found this method to yield the best results in saving the work piece (without having to completely start over a multi-hour cut).

16

Feature Requests / Add -Z limit calibration

« on: October 10, 2011, 11:14:40 AM »

I have ruined many pieces, and broken many bits during multiple-hour cuts due to lost steps during program execution. I have utilized the -Z limit switch option in Mach, and installed a -Z limit switch. I do not have an automatic tool changer, so tool changes involve the follwing steps:
1-Change tool
2-jog tool down onto a sheet of paper, and reset the Z Zero
3-jog tool up high enough to clear all work
4-jog Y axis completely off edge of table
5-adjust position of -Z Limit switch until switch is triggered
6-Reset Mach3 (to clear Limit switch error)
7-Reset the digital caliper I am using on the Limit Switch assembly to Zero
8-adjust position of -Z Limit switch to match the program's maximum depth of cut on the digital caliper, and lock switch position into place
9-jog Z axis up high enough to clear all work
10-Start Cycle to continue cut
I would like to mount the -Z Limit switch onto a linear rail, and install a stepper motor screw drive to adjust the position of the switch along the linear rail - what I would like be able to do in Mach3, is to automate the task, anytime that the ZERO Z button is clicked in Mach3. (Executing the steps outlined above in a macro or other code) This system WORKS, in halting the machine, (and program execution) in the event of lost steps which would otherwise result in a ruined work piece/cut table surface/broken bit for unattended cuts that take several hours to complete.

17

LazyCam (Beta) / Importing Text from CorelDRAW for engraving

« on: September 30, 2011, 05:34:55 PM »

I have made an amazing discovery, which I wanted to share with everyone who is using CorelDRAW. I recently upgraded to version X4 of CorelDRAW, and was using it to create artwork for engraving with my CNC Router. If you have ever tried to import files containing text into LazyCAM, I am sure that you have experienced the problem this poses: the font used will invariably come in as an Outline of the actual font. This poses a problem, because the lines used to construct the font are so close together, that instead of a delicately detailed engraving, you end up with a largely unrecognizable hole being carved into the wood!
While composing a CDR file to send to Corel's Jeff Harrison about macros for use in CorelDRAW, I came across a work-around for this problem. The Trace utility available in X4 features a Centerline, Technical drawing option. The steps I used, are as follows:
1-Using the Text tool in CorelDRAW, I typed in the desired text
2-I selected the text, and changed the Font to Edwardian Script (any font you desire which is installed on your system works here).
3-I then selected the text, and converted to Artistic Text format, and Grouped it together.
4-I selected Convert to Bitmap from the Bitmaps menu
5-I selected the Trace option, Centerline Trace, Technical drawing
6-I exported the selected result as a HPGL PLT file
7-I opened the file from LazyCAM's Open Vector File option, and selected HPGL PLT as the format

I then selected the layer, and the tool of choice (engraving bit) and set the depth , and then Posted the file to Mach3! The engravings are beautiful!

18

LazyCam (Beta) / Unlock aspect ratio in Scale

« on: August 21, 2011, 07:12:39 PM »

I am aware that LazyCAM is a permanent Beta version, but it would be really convenient if an update could be developed which would allow LazyCAM's Scale function to be used with the ability to Unlock Aspect Ratio. The specific reason I personally would like to see this feature added, is the ability to simply create a simple DXF file of a Rectangle. Then, using LazyCAM's scale function, it could be easily altered to any size needed. I find myself frequently creating DXF files of various sized Rectangles to be opened into LazyCAM, and a pocket created (to plane the surface of a piece of stock flat, in preparation of an engraving operation).
   If it were possible to Unlock the Aspect Ratio for Scaling, a single DXF of a Rectangle could be used for ALL!

19

Tangent Corner / I'm Nationwide!

« on: January 18, 2011, 02:21:23 PM »

Well, it's finally out. My first (paying) article published in a magazine with national circulation. Check out the Winter issue of Digital Machinist magazine, for details on how I added a spindle lock to my Porter Cable Router. (Near the back of the magazine).
If you go to their website, and fill out their registration, I believe they still offer a free issue. Just go to www.villagepress.com select Digital Machinist Magazine. If you do it NOW, you will probably receive the Winter issue containing my article.
-Mike

20

Share Your GCode / Bevel Gear with LazyCAM!-2

« on: January 18, 2011, 02:13:54 PM »

I tried to attach the uncompressed G-Code file to my first post. However the file size exceeded the limitations, so I compressed the file into the BevelGear.Zip file, and tried again to post. I received the message "You have already posted this file", but since the attached file did not upload (due to the size limit), I had tried again to post. Please see the attached BevelGear.Zip file for the G-code file BevelGear.tap
-Mike