Messages

4481

General Mach Discussion / Re: Setting Tool Offsets

« on: February 22, 2011, 09:54:38 PM »

You can also specify the tool radius in the G-code

G42 P0.125

for a .25diameter tool

4482

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 22, 2011, 09:53:17 PM »

If you're moving the drawing, then that's the problem. You really should learn to edit the drawing without moving it. That would be a lot easier than referencing to a hole in the the part. Just my opinion.

4483

General Mach Discussion / Re: g code display

« on: February 22, 2011, 09:32:33 PM »

Sounds like you loaded a .dxf or cad file instead of g-code.

4484

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 22, 2011, 11:53:37 AM »

It all depends on how you work. I always use the lower left corner as 0,0. My machine has fixed stops to locate the part at 0,0, and the machine has home switches. So it's very easy to find the exact same position.

If you're not removing the work from the table when you re-cut, then home switches should be all you need.

4485

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 21, 2011, 07:48:03 PM »

Since there are some very savvy CNC operators here I have another question relating to Mach. I asked the same question in another post but I can't seem to get into to read it. When I click on the link, nothing happens. I have never been able to line up a project when importing code into Mach. I always make sure I have plenty of material and cut so that it cuts correctly but I know this is not the proper way. For example, if I was making a book shelf and wanted to drill all of the holes for adjustable shelving, how would I start? When I import the code, the image is showing with all the information but I don't get how you line up the material and get the exact cut one's trying to achieve. Can someone offer some clarity please?

It starts when you draw the part in your CAD program. Both the CAD program and your machine have a 0,0 position. So draw your part in the same relation to the origin that you want to place it on your machine. That's really all there is too it.
Some CAM programs allow you to move the origin before creating g-code.

You need to understand where the 0,0 position of your part is throughout the entire process, from CAD to CAM to g-code.

On my machine, I have positive stops to locate the lower left corner of my part at the 0,0 position. When I draw the part, I place the lower left corner of the part at 0,0 in the drawing. After I create the code, I simply place the part against the stops, and cut it.
I DO need to home the machine so it knows where my fixed 0,0 position is.

4486

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 21, 2011, 07:45:06 PM »

So it looks as if there are two, VCarve and Meshcam, that I should evaluate. I have looked at the meshcam web site and the meshcam art looks promising.

V-Carve Pro and MeshCAM are two very different programs, for very different applications. For just about anything that they are both capable of, V-Carve Pro would be the better choice.

4487

Mach Screens / Re: CHANGE GCODE TEXT SIZE

« on: February 21, 2011, 12:01:21 PM »

Use a screen editor and set the g-code window to display more lines. That will make the text smaller.

4488

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 21, 2011, 09:45:37 AM »

Being you already have VCP, C2D might be best for you as the  interface of the two is so similar. But, if the choice was solely between C2D and SheetCam, that's an easy one imo.
penny for penny, SheetCam is hands down the better choice.

Did you mis-type that? V Carve Pro does everything that Cut2D does, plus a LOT more.

4489

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 21, 2011, 07:51:02 AM »

I've never even installed Cut3D. I've used the DeskProto demo a few years ago, and it's really good. But it's hard to beat the simplicity of MeshCAM. But it's not without it's faults. I'd like some things added or changed. A lot of my requests usually find there way into the program, but sometimes they take a while to get in there.

I'm very fortunate in that I'm a beta tester for Aspire.

And I was one of the very first MeshCAM users, and had a lot of input in the early development of it, and the author won't take my money.

As for CAD, my day job is using AutoCAD.

If not for the above, I wouldn't be able to afford anything either, as my wife has been a full time student for the last few years.

4490

General Mach Discussion / Re: Maybe silly question - Feed hold or Stop

« on: February 20, 2011, 11:29:28 PM »

If you want to resume, use feedhold.
If it's an emergency, and you need it to stop fast, hit stop.