Topics

11

General Mach Discussion / CopyCat Latest Version Probe issue

« on: April 25, 2015, 09:02:31 PM »

Im having an issue with copycat and probing a circle.
I have Mach3 .3.043.066 and when doing 3d PROBE from the menu of Mach3 it works at the speed that i set probing in CopyCat(this is good, so i can alter it for large circle and small circle probing)
This works fine.
However, if i go to probe in Copycat (circle centre probe) it moves exactly 4mm then stops and reverses etc etc. On looking at the code in the Copycat screen it says
Code "G91 G31Y 4 F" &ProbeFeed
which should move in the y + direction for 4 seconds or until it hits the wall of the circle.

Thats bad
Any one have ideas, is it a bug?, have I missed a setup config. setting? Am i just missing something entirely? Or does the G91(set Distance mode) turn the G31Y4 into a pure distance operation?

I will investigate G31 as soon as I find some info on it. First time I've used/seen it

12

VB and the development of wizards / Profile Shape Wizard

« on: April 23, 2015, 08:12:09 PM »

With Permission from poppabear, I offer up to the masses an altered version of poppbears "Profile Shapes Wizard."
to install extract the zip file to your Mach3\Addons folder.
This will create a folder called Profile Shape M.
The alterations are
Depth of Cut
added incremental cut
Define Z 0 as top of Block or Bottom of Block
And a Safe Z setting

Note that if the incements divide equaly into the Depth of cut, it may do two cuts at the same setting.

Enjoy
Wes

13

Share Your GCode / Gcode and Macro for Cutting a gear Using Horizontal Spindle

« on: April 22, 2015, 01:34:51 AM »

I Posted this in the VB section as well. the actual files are there
Just realised you could use it to cut a spline etc as well on a vertical mill
Just my take on cutting a Gear(I do heaps for gear boxes of different teeth)
Its not finished but its functional and will cut but doesn't allow for lead in or out.
This can be altered in the GCode. Also it only uses Z axis to get depth, but allows feeds from x or y axis.
Feed back would be appreciated and expected.

Gcode
%Gear Cutting Program for A Axis
G00 G49 G40  G17 G80 G50 G90
G21
(Program Setup)
#1= 0 (Degrees between Teeth)
#2= 0 (Width of Teeth)
#3= 1234 (X or Y Axis to Cut)
#4= 0 (Total Tooth Depth)
#5= 0 (Cut Loops)
#6= 0 (Number of Teeth)
#7= 0 (Last Cut Depth)
#8= 0 (Cutting Depth)
#9= 0 (X/Y Start Position)
#10= 0 (X/Y End Position)
#11= 3000 (Feed Rate)
#12= 4 (Safe Z Height)

(Bring in the Variables)
M2044
M03 S0
#13= 0 (Container to do A Axis Adding)
#14= 0 (Container to do Z Cut Depth Adding)
M98 P#3
M30

%Start the run for X Cuts
o1234
M6 (Tool Change - All OK)
M98 P1236 L#6 (One Loop per Tooth)
M99

%Start the run for Y Cuts
o1235
M6 (Tool Change - All OK)
M98 P1237 L#6 (One Loop per Tooth)
M99

%X Cut & Z Cut Moves
o1236
M98 P1238 L#5 (cutting down in Z Moves)
G01 Z#4
G01 X[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 X#9
%G04 P1000
#13= [#13+#1]
G00 A#13
#14= 0 (Reset Cutting Depth)
M99

%Y Cut & Z Cut Moves
o1237
M98 P1239 L#5 (cutting down in Z Moves)
G01 Z#4
G01 Y[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 Y#9
%G04 P1000
#13= [#13+#1]
G00 A#13
#14= 0 (Reset Cutting Depth)
M99

%X Zmoves
o1238
#14= [#14-#8]
G01 Z#14
G01 X[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 X#9
%G04 P1000
M99

%Y Zmoves
o1239
#14= [#14-#8]
G01 Z#14
G01 Y[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 Y#9
%G04 P1000
M99

Macro - M2044.m1s
Sub main
Dim Msg ' Declare variable.
Msg = "This GCode is for making Gears with the A Axis. "
Msg = Msg & "Only use Positive numbers when requested."
MsgBox Msg, 64, "Macro Parameters"
Dim Gear1 As Double
Dim AxisCut As String
Teeth = Question ("How Many Teeth on the Gear?")
Gear1=Val(Teeth)
SetVar(6,Gear1)
Gear1 = 360/Gear1
Print Gear1
SetVar(1, Gear1)
Message "Angle Between Teeth " & Gear1
GearWidth = Question ("How wide is the tooth?")
SetVar(2,Val(GearWidth))
 AxisCut=InputBox ("What Axis are you cutting with - X or Y?","Axis Choice", "X", 200, 200)
If AxisCut = "X" Then
 SetVar(3,1234)
 Else
 SetVar(3,1235)
End If
Print AxisCut
DepthCut= Question ("What is the total tooth Depth?")
SetVar(4,Val(DepthCut-(2*DepthCut)))
CutPass=Question("What is the Maximum Cut Depth per Pass?")
SetVar(8,Val(CutPass))
Loops = Val(DepthCut)/Val(CutPass)
Print Loops
MainLoops= Val(Fix(Loops))
LastCut=(Loops - MainLoops) * Val(CutPass)
Print LastCut
SetVar(7,LastCut)
SetVar(5,MainLoops)
Print MainLoops
Test=Val(DepthCut-(2*DepthCut))
Print Test

End Sub

14

VB and the development of wizards / Gear Cutting on Horizontal Mill With Profile Cutter

« on: April 22, 2015, 01:05:04 AM »

Just my take on cutting a Gear(I do heaps for gear boxes of different teeth)
Its not finished but its functional and will cut but doesn't allow for lead in or out.
This can be altered in the GCode. Also it only uses Z axis to get depth, but allows feeds from x or y axis.
Feed back would be appreciated and expected.

Gcode
%Gear Cutting Program for A Axis
G00 G49 G40  G17 G80 G50 G90
G21
(Program Setup)
#1= 0 (Degrees between Teeth)
#2= 0 (Width of Teeth)
#3= 1234 (X or Y Axis to Cut)
#4= 0 (Total Tooth Depth)
#5= 0 (Cut Loops)
#6= 0 (Number of Teeth)
#7= 0 (Last Cut Depth)
#8= 0 (Cutting Depth)
#9= 0 (X/Y Start Position)
#10= 0 (X/Y End Position)
#11= 3000 (Feed Rate)
#12= 4 (Safe Z Height)

(Bring in the Variables)
M2044
M03 S0
#13= 0 (Container to do A Axis Adding)
#14= 0 (Container to do Z Cut Depth Adding)
M98 P#3
M30

%Start the run for X Cuts
o1234
M6 (Tool Change - All OK)
M98 P1236 L#6 (One Loop per Tooth)
M99

%Start the run for Y Cuts
o1235
M6 (Tool Change - All OK)
M98 P1237 L#6 (One Loop per Tooth)
M99

%X Cut & Z Cut Moves
o1236
M98 P1238 L#5 (cutting down in Z Moves)
G01 Z#4
G01 X[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 X#9
%G04 P1000
#13= [#13+#1]
G00 A#13
#14= 0 (Reset Cutting Depth)
M99

%Y Cut & Z Cut Moves
o1237
M98 P1239 L#5 (cutting down in Z Moves)
G01 Z#4
G01 Y[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 Y#9
%G04 P1000
#13= [#13+#1]
G00 A#13
#14= 0 (Reset Cutting Depth)
M99

%X Zmoves
o1238
#14= [#14-#8]
G01 Z#14
G01 X[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 X#9
%G04 P1000
M99

%Y Zmoves
o1239
#14= [#14-#8]
G01 Z#14
G01 Y[#2+#9+#10] F#11
G00 Z#12
G00 Y#9
%G04 P1000
M99

Macro - M2044.m1s
Sub main
Dim Msg ' Declare variable.
Msg = "This GCode is for making Gears with the A Axis. "
Msg = Msg & "Only use Positive numbers when requested."
MsgBox Msg, 64, "Macro Parameters"
Dim Gear1 As Double
Dim AxisCut As String
Teeth = Question ("How Many Teeth on the Gear?")
Gear1=Val(Teeth)
SetVar(6,Gear1)
Gear1 = 360/Gear1
Print Gear1
SetVar(1, Gear1)
Message "Angle Between Teeth " & Gear1
GearWidth = Question ("How wide is the tooth?")
SetVar(2,Val(GearWidth))
 AxisCut=InputBox ("What Axis are you cutting with - X or Y?","Axis Choice", "X", 200, 200)
If AxisCut = "X" Then
 SetVar(3,1234)
 Else
 SetVar(3,1235)
End If
Print AxisCut
DepthCut= Question ("What is the total tooth Depth?")
SetVar(4,Val(DepthCut-(2*DepthCut)))
CutPass=Question("What is the Maximum Cut Depth per Pass?")
SetVar(8,Val(CutPass))
Loops = Val(DepthCut)/Val(CutPass)
Print Loops
MainLoops= Val(Fix(Loops))
LastCut=(Loops - MainLoops) * Val(CutPass)
Print LastCut
SetVar(7,LastCut)
SetVar(5,MainLoops)
Print MainLoops
Test=Val(DepthCut-(2*DepthCut))
Print Test

End Sub

15

General Mach Discussion / Displaying Loop Number

« on: April 18, 2015, 09:16:21 PM »

Hi guys,
Just a simple query, is it possible to display to loop number as you work?
The reason I ask is I sometimes do work that en-tales loops upto 25 times and it would be good to know how far along the program is.

16

General Mach Discussion / Machine Missing Steps? Direction on Corners

« on: April 18, 2015, 12:55:34 AM »

Hi guys
This ones been bugging me for ages. My Machine, a mill conversion, is going backwards occasionally at corners. Only for a step or two and on the odd occasion like a wild untamed thing.
I have been experimenting with cv, and shuttle numbers with good results, and last night after thinking i had it, it burst onto the scene again.
Details
A HobbyPro CNC kit.
3 to 1 ratio on the drives to driven.
ball screws with oil groves milled on all surfaces
(I don't believe it is an issue with power/torque)
At high speeds(above 200 mm/min) it doesn't seem to worry it. Max is 700mm/Min
low speeds 50-100 really make it appear.
last night I altered the step pulse to 1uS from 3uS and it appears to have corrected it!

if i change the feed rate it appears to fix it or make it worse depending on where I change the Shuttle numbers or step Pulse width too.
Any ideas on removing this bug in my system would be greatly appreciated.
I have access to a CRO if anyone can suggest where to look if it may be a noise issue
This is my Profile File below if you want to check it.

Also if any one knows, how can you get the job path to reflect the actual directions of the machine. Mines about face.

17

General Mach Discussion / Move Z Axis without reWritting the whole code again

« on: February 17, 2015, 05:02:09 PM »

Ok, before we start.... i seem to be having a brain fart.(been away from the machine working for 18Months).
The below code has to have the z axis increment as I machine through a piece of Aluminium
I have chased through my notes from over 8 years and for love nor money i cant remember how to add to the Z axis after each complete cycle.

Also if any one could advise, i am losing a couple of steps in random places while doing the radius cuts, any thoughts?

G0 G49 G40  G17 G80 G50 G90
(Drill 12mm Holes x 3)
G1 X0 Y0 F500
G1 X-59 Y-3.67
M06
G1 X-59 Y81.2
M06
G1 X4.2 Y58.9
M06
(I need to Loop from Here to increment the z axis for multiple cuts)
g41 p2
G1 X0 Y0 F250
G1 X-49.8 Y0
G1 X-49.8 Y-8
G2 X-68.45 Y-7.3732 I-11 J5.1681 F250
(The X center point is -9.0858 Y center point is 5.1681 )
G3 X-66.2352 Y-2.6517 I-4.7874 J4.7264
(The X center point is -4.7874 Y center point is 4.7264 )
G1 X-66.2352 Y-2.6517 F250
G1 X-66.2352 Y71.4879
G3 X-71.4879 Y79.33 I-6 J1.4 F250
(The X center point is -6.4323 Y center point is 1.4812 )
G2 X-48.5 Y86.2677 I12.1951 J1.5675
(The X center point is 12.1951 Y center point is 1.5675 )
G1 X-48.5 Y86.2677 F250
G1 X-48.5 Y73.5993
G1 X-4.3 Y58.9443
G1 X-4.3 Y63.6
(G2 X8.932 Y47.8448 I8.9608 J-4.885)
G2 X8.932 Y49.5 I8.9608 J-4.885 F250
(The X center point is 8.9608 Y center point is -4.885 )
G1 X8.932 Y49.5 F250
G1 X-0 Y49.5
G1 X-0 Y-0
g40
G0X0Y0
M30 ( Stop and Reset)

Any Help would be greatly appreciated as wife reckons im losing it

18

General Mach Discussion / How to work out auger flights

« on: August 11, 2013, 07:47:02 PM »

Hi guys, trying to find a formula on how to generate flights for screw augers so I can cut them out and not having any luck.
Does anybody now if there is a formula? And we're I can get my hands on it. I have been looking for months and nothing, currently I am using cut and try from .8mm sheet until I get it close and have found that the distance traveled along the screw to do 1 complete turn is close to the diameter to cut the inside radius, am I on the right track?
Hope some one can help, don't need Mach code just the formula, I can do the rest.

19

FAQs / A Axis Setup as Degrees

« on: June 16, 2009, 09:57:36 PM »

Could any one provide details as to how to set the A Axis to read or relate to degrees. I am setting it up to an indexing head and the reading is in MM's and I would like to set it up to Degrees. I haven't set the drive config up yet as I am unsure of how to do it. I have been through all the documentation I can find and am a little bamboozled.