Messages

5861

General Mach Discussion / Re: Benefit of 4th axis homing switch?

« on: May 11, 2011, 11:24:47 AM »

Unless you are doing fixturing on the 4th there is really little to gain from a Home switch. Most just set Zero to a reference point on the material and go. Same with XYZ

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5862

General Mach Discussion / Re: THC300/Mach3 Touch off issue

« on: May 10, 2011, 10:16:31 PM »

YOu DO NOT USE set post variable to set the offset distance.

You must open the Post code itself with edit and then modify the line that sets the offsetting.

Go to Machine, Post,  and select the post your are using. then OPEN the file with the edit button. Curser down to the operation section and you will see a note(green highlighted) that shows you what to modify to set the offset value.

(;-) TP

You also set the rehome distance there as well if youwant it to do it more often.

(;-) TP

5863

General Mach Discussion / Re: THC300/Mach3 Touch off issue

« on: May 10, 2011, 09:37:44 PM »

YOU have to EDIT and modify the POST PROCESSOR to change the offset distance. As long as it is set to zero it will NOT generate the offset code.

Also you change the distance for rehoming in the post processor.  Normal setting is 500mm, after 500mm of cutting moment it will issue the code to rehome at the next pierce.


"varible torch code" DOn't know what you are meaning to say here.

(;-) TP

5864

General Mach Discussion / Re: How can I configure Mach3 for motor enable with step??

« on: May 10, 2011, 04:24:31 PM »

I don't think you can. Mach is a buffered system. The step signals are not available to monitor. Even if they were Machs monitoring is WAY to slow to do what you want.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5865

General Mach Discussion / Re: O-Ring grove with a side cutter?

« on: May 10, 2011, 04:16:07 PM »

I don't know of any outside groove wizard BUT the Gcode is fairly easy to work out.

Sample Code for cutting a groove outside on a boss



F100
G0X0Y0Z1.000      (center over the boss)
G1 X2.4                   (Move out to a clear position Boss Radius + tool radius + clearance)
Z-.5                          (lowerZ to cut height)
G3 X1.4  Y0 R.5      (Move in to depth of cut for oring groove using arc leadin)
G2 X-1.4 Y0 R1.4    ( cut a circle in two parts)
      X1.4 Y0 R1.4
G3 X2.4 Y0 R.5      (Move back out to a clearance position using arc leadout)
G0 Z1.000                      ( Raise Z to a safe height)
X0 Y0                        (Move back to boss center)
M30

Just a thought (;-)TP

5866

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Wrapper HELP!

« on: May 10, 2011, 03:16:11 PM »

oK  in mach config, go down to toolpath. Under rotations select Axis of rotation, A enable and USE radius for feedrate.

Next on the settings page under rotation radius set teh A axis radius to your part radius.

Give that a try. (;-) TP

5867

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Wrapper HELP!

« on: May 10, 2011, 01:50:57 PM »

SO exactly WHAT is it not doing correctly ?

(;-) TP

5868

General Mach Discussion / Re: I Keep Breaking Engraving Bits....

« on: May 10, 2011, 12:14:52 PM »

Another thing that hepls is to RAMP the bit into the metal in lue of a straight plunge cut. Also set the feedrate based on spindle speed. Slow spindle slow feed. Coolant helps with hard material. But if you use coolant make it a constant flow. Thermal shock can damage the fagile tip.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

5869

General Mach Discussion / Re: Opinions on drives for cnc control conversion?

« on: May 09, 2011, 11:06:52 PM »

The economy approach would be to use your existing drives and power supply and get a control board that can run your drives.

Just a thought(;-) TP

5870

General Mach Discussion / Re: THC300/Mach3 Touch off issue

« on: May 09, 2011, 10:38:17 PM »

OK i just tested the Post and it works fine IF you have the setback set other than 0. 

You are editing the post to set the setback correct?

(;-) TP