Messages

6121

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma tube cutting

« on: December 31, 2010, 06:44:53 PM »

You can update the Radius through a Macro call from inside Gcode at the beginning of each program if you want. If you are using SheetCam you can also bring in the Radius from sheetcam via a Gcode variable you just have to mod the post a touch>LES is really good at that for users. ALso with the variable trick you need an update Macro to run from the macropump.

I am not sure WHY you need to constanatly mess with the feerate?? Once set correctly Mach does a good job of maintaining a constant velocity for plasma work. AT LEAST it does here.

(;-) TP

6122

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma tube cutting

« on: December 31, 2010, 06:12:54 PM »

The problem is in MACH (;-) You have to use A axis radius correction. Turn it on in config then apply the radius on the settings page. Then maybe it will do the feeds correctly. ALSO your  A axis MUST be fast enought to be able to match the X/Y feeds speeds OR mach just slows down to the slowest component.

To use the 4th with plasma it MUST be settup as a very fast 4th.   (;-)

(;-) TP

6123

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma tube cutting

« on: December 30, 2010, 11:04:41 AM »

Simple import the drawing of the holes as a dxf as you wouold cut it if it were on a flate plate. Then specify the tube diameter as the material thickness.

Apply the cutting function as you normally would then post the results using the rotary post.SC will then translate the XY into XA axis moves.

That works IF you are using a chuck with your 4th axis so the tube runs on the centerline. IF you are using the roller method then the process is different.

Hope that helps, (;-) TP

6124

General Mach Discussion / Re: best supported controller?

« on: December 29, 2010, 10:05:32 PM »

The thing the LPT version has going for it is it has the widest USER base, SUpport Base, Documentation base AND the cheapest overall solution for the average application.

Also as Art has always said Nothing beats the LPT for being able to do all Mach functions well.

(;-) TP

6125

General Mach Discussion / Re: best supported controller?

« on: December 29, 2010, 04:47:02 PM »

The original LPT version is hard to beat for form and function AND support.

2 lpt's would do the trick, (;-) TP

6126

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling parts from end of stock

« on: December 28, 2010, 08:48:55 PM »

You could go ahead and mill the hole to -.008 that leaves you enough to ream.

Let me know IF you need more help, (;-) TP

6127

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling parts from end of stock

« on: December 28, 2010, 08:21:57 PM »

THis is how I would do it.I do a LOT of small batches for the locals. Make the batch as big as will fit on the machine. The trick to making $$ on small batches is do as many as possible per setup.Then make it hands off to do each setup. Rather than drill the holes (extra tool change) just mill out the holes with the same tool you do the rest of the profiling.

(;-) TP


HECK you already figured it out Good Job (;-)

6128

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling parts from end of stock

« on: December 28, 2010, 07:40:09 PM »

lay the part down so the long angled line lines up with the bottom of the material, then rotate the next part so the angled line uses the top. That gives you a clamping spot that does not have to be machined.

Looks like it would work from here.

Do you have a dxf of the part, I will lay it out here to see if it fits.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

6129

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma tube cutting

« on: December 28, 2010, 05:37:06 PM »

Use the SheetCam rotary POST it converts the linear moves into polar moves based on the diam of the tube.

(;-) TP

6130

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Milling parts from end of stock

« on: December 28, 2010, 04:27:22 PM »

you have one long straight edge on the part. Align it to a finished edge of the material so it does not have to be cut then clamp each part from that edge and then push the button and cut as many as you can line up at one time. IF material waste is a concern then alternate the part to the upper and lower edges

Just a thought, (;-) TP