Messages

11

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: first gcode program not generating correct toolpath

« on: March 12, 2011, 02:14:45 PM »

That's really nice of you. Thanks.

I don't have CAD yet, but I drew you a picture by hand and marked the relevant dimensions. In case something doesn't make sense, I'll explain it in words also.

I want to make a grid of holes and pockets for tee nuts and bolts for fixturing. The center of each hole should be 4.5688" on center in the Y direction and 4.3654" on center in the X direction. The hole needs to be made of two pockets - one for the head of the bolt and one for the shaft of the bolt. The pocket for the head needs to be 0.1693" deep and 0.433" in diameter. The hole for the shaft needs to be 0.5657" deep and 0.295" in diameter. The second hole will be a through hole but I'm having the cutter stop 0.005" from the bottom surface to prevent dust from falling through. The grid of holes will need to be 10 wide in the X direction by 5 tall in the Y direction. The end mill I'm using is 0.25" in diameter and the flute length is 0.6".

Please let me know if this is sufficient information. I really appreciate you offering to do this.

12

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: first gcode program not generating correct toolpath

« on: March 11, 2011, 08:03:02 PM »

Thanks for your response. I tried checking that box but it didn't help. Is it because the pocket is cut in R mode instead of IJ mode? I don't know how to use G2/G3 so I am unable to make that pocket cut without the wizard. Since it is generating the code in R mode, I may not be able to do this in a program right now and instead will have to manually move to each location and cut each hole.

13

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / first gcode program not generating correct toolpath

« on: March 11, 2011, 12:56:42 PM »

I'm new to CNC, GCode, etc. I've been working with my machine for a few months in my spare time and I've finally been able to dedicate more time to this, so I'm trying my first program (I've written tons of small snippets of code, so I'm at least somewhat familiar with the language).

I am trying to drill pockets in a grid for fixture bolts. The pockets need to be every 4.5688" in the Y direction and 4.3654" in the X direction. I've incrementally written the following code to move to each location, call a subroutine to cut the pockets, and then move to the next location. Everything works except for the code to cut the pockets.

I do not know how to use G2/G3 yet, so I used one of the wizards to generate the code to cut the pocket. I know the problem is that the code was generated to run in absolute coordinates and I am trying to use incremental coordinates as it makes more sense for this program.

The first picture is the toolpath for the pocket code only when it is generated correctly.
The second picture is the toolpath for the pocket when it is in my program and obviously incorrect.
The third picture is the overall toolpath of the program. It is correct except for the slight drift to the right because of the misshapen pocket.

Below is my Gcode. I do a lot of programming in C and C++, but I've never written Gcode programs. If my code looks odd that is probably why. The idea is to call multiple routines from "main" to use the power of the language (I know you are all aware of this already). The first subroutine to be called will call the second subroutine to drill 5 holes and then move to a new row of holes. The second subroutine calls the third and fourth subroutines to drill the 2 different pockets I need in the table for the shaft and head of the bolt.

Code: [Select]

G0 G49 G40  G17 G80 G50 G64 G20
G90
G0 Z.25
G0 X0 Y0
M98 P1 L10
G90
G0 Z.25
M30

O1
M98 P2
G90
G0 Z.25
G91
G0 X-4.3654 Y-18.2752
M99

O2
M98 P3
M98 P4
G91
G0 Y4.5688
M98 P3
M98 P4
G91
G0 Y4.5688
M98 P3
M98 P4
G91
G0 Y4.5688
M98 P3
M98 P4
G91
G0 Y4.5688
M98 P3
M98 P4
M99

O3
G90
G0 G43 H0  Z0.25
G01 Z-0.1693 F15
G91
G2 Y0 X0.0375 R0.0187 F10
Y0 X-0.0375 R0.0375
Y0 X0.075 R0.0562
Y0 X-0.075 R0.075
Y0 X0.0915 R0.0832
Y0 X-0.0915 R0.0915
X0.0915 Y0 R0.0915
G90
G0 Z0.25
M99

O4
G90
G0 Z.25
G91
G0 Z-.2
M99

Finally, my question. Is it possible to use the code from the wizard to cut the pockets or am I going to have to write my own?

Thanks,
Tony

14

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: March 09, 2011, 10:31:45 PM »

I didn't mean any offense. Maybe it was just the way you phrased it, but the monitor statement just rubbed me the wrong way. It's possible I've just been reading into your posts too much, but I've seen posts similar to that in other forums. I'll drop it though as you seem to be doing what I accused you of not doing, so I was wrong.

It isn't a huge issue to have the Gcodes but it would be really helpful, at least for me. If I'm the only person who has requested it though I'd understand if you didn't want to spend a ton of time adding the feature.

15

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: March 09, 2011, 10:06:47 PM »

is there no button on the home screen for g/m code display like in the default screen set? if not, there is plenty of room on the toolbars at the top to add it.

ger21, you did a good job on this screen set. im a little disheartened at your dismissal of any request that isnt immediately relevant to you though. i wish you would have posted that on your website because i wouldnt have bought it had i known you would only support features that apply specifically to you.

16

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: How do you license Mach3?

« on: January 05, 2010, 06:26:31 PM »

Ah, thank you. It was called Mach1Lic.dat.x where the the .x was the serial number given by the distributor. I renamed it to Mach1Lic.dat and it worked. However, I would like to have it say my name in the registration instead of the name of the company that sold it to me.

17

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: How do you license Mach3?

« on: January 05, 2010, 05:29:29 PM »

That's not working. I actually tried that before I posted. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

18

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / How do you license Mach3?

« on: January 05, 2010, 04:39:34 PM »

I searched through the website, included files, and the forum for an answer to this. I bought Mach3 through a distributor and he emailed me a license file, but what do I do with it?