Messages

461

General Mach Discussion / G Code Skipping

« on: November 10, 2012, 08:09:36 AM »

I am so glad you posted this question. I just ran some repeatability tests on my mill. During the testing I was able to repeat all the way to 331ipm over and over many times. I set my velocity to 80 and accel in the 7-8 range. Still ran great. Then I pocketed a series of holes. In the move (same place each time) between 2 holes I heard a squeal and damn if it hadn't lost position! I was suspicious if the program wrote a bad code. I was using CamBam in that particular instance. I actually intended to do the same holes with BobCad to see if it made the same error. My machine is not binding, it is well lubed and constantly cared for. Fasteners are all tight. Tweakie, I am gathering you have seen Cad or Cam programs do this? I didn't see anything alarming or obvious in the code but I am truly a beginner at looking at code.

462

General Mach Discussion / Accuracy of Homing Devices? Pro's and Con's of Different Sensors

« on: November 10, 2012, 07:50:54 AM »

I hope the explanation helped Hood as it just confused me more. You are going to use the micro and the opto together? Since Mach backs off the switch after the trigger I just don't see the benefit. You make a statement in an above post "a normal opto homing routine would read the axis directly". It knows the direction and IF no steps were lost, it knows where it is. I am in the process of connecting 3 OPB94051W for my switches. I expect repeatability to be better than .0005. Homing speed will have as much effect as anything. You will have to leave the homing speed constant or the overtravel will be different for each speed.

463

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Blank wall re dxf files ??

« on: November 09, 2012, 07:12:54 AM »

You can always drag and drop your dxf into the workspace with CamBam.

464

CVI MachStdMill (MSM) / setting up tcp tp

« on: November 09, 2012, 07:06:17 AM »

He wants you to ask questions on his site.

465

General Mach Discussion / Outputs on at startup

« on: November 08, 2012, 07:45:50 PM »

I run a PMDX 126 and don't need any extra parts to enable the charge pump. I set it up in Mach. I would think it works the same way.

466

General Mach Discussion / Re: Outputs on at startup

« on: November 06, 2012, 07:25:53 PM »

What BOB and drivers are you using?

467

General Mach Discussion / Re: Outputs on at startup

« on: November 06, 2012, 05:25:46 PM »

Do you have the charge pump enabled?

468

General Mach Discussion / Newbie Questions

« on: November 02, 2012, 08:07:13 AM »

As long as the thickness of your touch plate is entered in the gage block thickness dialog box you shouldn't have any issues. Same process, put touch plate on surface, touch off and either enter the thickness of your touch plate and hit enter or by using your settings page.

469

General Mach Discussion / Newbie Questions

« on: October 31, 2012, 09:53:14 AM »

My understanding is that you would confirm the tool in the spindle is the tool indicated in Mach's tool window. If it is jog tool to surface of part and "zero" the Z axis. If you have more than 1 tool and they are repeatable (I doubt it with a router but I have been wrong before) all tools will have the correct offsets. Well if everything was set up properly in your tool table.

470

General Mach Discussion / On restart, is tool (and or its offset) indicated true?

« on: October 27, 2012, 01:20:26 PM »

   I have been going thru the process of setting up some tools on my mill using TTS holders. Everything was going well. I was able to call a tool, install requested tool. Hit go to zero and each tool would succesively go to the zero location established with tool 1 as the master (though I still question if the diameter is being considered?) It hits the Z level perfect. Anyway yesterday I reopened Mach3 and it indicated tool 6 was in the spindle (it was) and I reloaded a code and hit cycle start. I watched in absolute disbelief as it proceeded to run a .25 2flute thu my table. I hate it when that sh!t happens. Only damaged my ego and understanding. The tools seem to be remembered due to their offsets but maybe a reference is forgotten? I am not even sure of how to ask the question.

   Should I always (or do I have to) install tool 1 at the beginning of the opening of Mach and touch it off on the part surface even if this is where I closed it down from the previous day? After that I am pretty sure it would be prudent to do it anyway but just curious of expectations.

   I also mentioned I wasnt sure about the diameter being considered. In my tool table i have tool 1 (a TTS passive LED touch probe, also the longest tool so far). It has a .4 diameter ball on the end which I have entered in the table. I touched off on a piece of stock yesterday in X, Y & Z (again with tool 1, in the spindle and indicated in the Mach window). I then called for a tool change, installed requested tool (.25 diameter 2 flute) and hit go to zero. It appeared to go the exact same spot as tool 1 was leaving an gap between the side of the tool and the piece. Z was fine.

   I am sure it is operator error and misunderstanding. There is one thing I have learned in this hobby, any denial of learning disabilities are now confirmed. I can read over and over with no understanding. Sometimes just reading one response will make the light bulb go on. Do I just enjoy the frustration and challenge? That is a different forum.