Messages

5611

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: ACAD import points to a drawing

« on: June 21, 2011, 01:25:03 PM »

Hi Gerry the final output is straight lines any way BUT being that it is in the A axis they are all arcs .

Could I blend that process into the points import program?   I don't know much about Lisp or VBA but I can have a go at it.

I have been learning SheetCamism for building post so it can't possible be any harder than that (;-)

(;-) TP

5612

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Write Wizard - No code output

« on: June 21, 2011, 08:58:04 AM »

ROn It hink there is a  macro for each font.

(;-) TP

5613

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: June 21, 2011, 01:38:50 AM »

Steve about how long does it take to produce a camshaft ? Crankshaft?

Just curious,(;-) TP

5614

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: ACAD import points to a drawing

« on: June 21, 2011, 12:01:53 AM »

Gerry another ACAD question when you have the time.

Can you take a set of points, imported cam data, and start at one point and connect the dots with ARCs.

Lets say Start at a point then reference the next 2 points and set the  radius between the two outer points from the offset off of the center point???


Maybe a LISP routine ?

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5615

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: June 20, 2011, 11:26:01 PM »

I have been working on a CNC Cam and Crank grinder function for MACH3 AND SheetCam. iF you had the lift points for the cam lobes it would take about 15 minutes or less  to complete the Gcode.

You can collect the lift data by probing A cam in the grinder. Then transfer those lift points A/Z into a DXF drawing then Use SheetCam to translate the drawing into a A/Z plane gcode program that is compensated for the Grinder Wheel radius.

Once you have a Gcode program it is ALL about making as many as you want. Load the blank press the GO button and go about your business. When the cam is complete remove from machine.

It will even do CROSSOVER grinding of PAIRS (int/exh) of lobes alternating between lobes for each pass to help control THERMAL buildup.

IT WILL ALSO do the offset grinding for the Crank pin journals as well as the main journals. SAME basic procees right down to COPYING a crankshaft. Probe the rod journals in the grinder then transfer the data out to a DXF drawing. Into SC and back to mach3 for ginding. IT can even grind a crank from billet if you chose to.  Best to rough it out first to save grinding time.

Just a thought, (;-)TP

5616

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Calling an outside wizzard.

« on: June 20, 2011, 10:45:47 AM »

Seeing that NFS is not actively adding any new wizzards to the package would it be possible to CALL an outside wizzard from inside NFS. That way the user can expand what the package does. THEN the new Functions could be added to the STACK that NFS creates the Gcode from.

Then you have the best of both worlds. Agreat interaface and added value from outside Wizzards.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5617

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Cylinder Heads

« on: June 20, 2011, 01:18:20 AM »

Steve are you about ready to build a CNC cam grinder for those puppies ?

(;-) TP

5618

General Mach Discussion / Re: Calibration Issues - odd results

« on: June 19, 2011, 07:52:05 PM »

There is part of your answer,

" When I make the 500 mil move - it is right on the money - yet when I return to zero - the thing will be 10 mil off. "

Even IF your cals are wrong the machine should return BACK to zero every time dead on zero. 

You have either a drive problem,noise problem, binding axis stalling an axis or Vel/Accel too high for the conditions. The factthat yo have the same problem on X/Y indicates the Vel/accell setting may be TO HIGH for the motors you are running, OR the drive is not setup correctly and is loosing steps.

(;-) TP

5619

General Mach Discussion / Re: AXIS FORMULA Question

« on: June 19, 2011, 05:39:11 PM »

We are working on the solution for several different grinder comfigurations that area already developed such as converting a MasterPlate grinder. They use the rocker box method to follow the profile. SO to use Mach it has to have a kinametric formula to compensate for the rocker joint.

The conversion in the formulas is to try ON THE FLY conversion of a cam shaft from a cam profile. Not an easy taskso far. I don't think MACH has enough HorsePower to handle the task(;-)

(;-) TP

5620

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis setup

« on: June 17, 2011, 05:24:26 PM »

HI Greg IS there any instructions for the new radius comp . It acts backwards here witheverything I try.When it needs to slow down it speeds up.

If I turn off comp it is constant rotation like it should but I can't  figure a combo to make work correctly.

HELP, (;-)TP