Messages

6151

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 computer requirements, network compatibility

« on: July 28, 2006, 11:31:32 AM »

I understand the minimum requirements- pretty modest really.  But do you think its worth it to use a dual core processor instead of just a Pentium 4?   Would Mach 3 benefit from 1 gb of memory?   

I wouldn't run XP on anything with less than 1Gig of Ram. Especially when it's only $75-$100 per Gig. Xp will use 150Mb by itself.

6152

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 28, 2006, 08:56:29 AM »

OK I ran that code. So we're tracing a square path 2 inches by 2 inches. Using G42 we're recalculating the toolpath to be offset by 1/2 the cutter diameter to the right only. Would that be right?

Correct.

6153

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 28, 2006, 08:55:21 AM »

Let's say that 2" squate path was a piece of material you wanted to machine, like a 2" square coaster. Would I program the path to be 2" square and then use G42 for the bottom and right hand cuts and then G43 for the upper and left hand cuts? Would that yield a 2" square of material?

I have a reason for asking this relating to my next project....

No. Assuming your traveling around the part CCW, the offset will always be to the right, so G42. G41 is Left, btw. G40 turns off the comp. G43 is length compensation.

6154

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 28, 2006, 08:53:38 AM »

I want to use the shape below to machine two pieces of material. Can I machine inside the shape using cutter compensation to create a pocket, and then in another piece of material, machine outside the same shape by compensating in the opposite direction, so that the male and female parts that result will fit precisely into each other??  The dotted line is the actual shape that I have created in Illustrator and converted to DXF

You'll usually need to leave at least .003 clearance for the insert part to fit. You can create that .003 by lying about the tool size. Tell Mach3 it's .0015 smaller than it is.

6155

General Mach Discussion / Re: Xylotek controller setup, and mach system requirments

« on: July 27, 2006, 04:18:00 PM »

For Mach3 for dummies, watch the videos at www.machsupport.com.

It should work ok on a 900, but you really need to try to find out how well it will work. Mach works differently on different PC's.

6156

General Mach Discussion / Re: Non persistance when doing config setup

« on: July 27, 2006, 04:16:11 PM »

When you transfer a file on a CD, the file becomes Read Only, because you can't normally write to a CD. So when you copy that file from the CD, it retains it's Read Only attribute. So when you exit Mach3, the changes can't be saved to the .xml, because it's read only. You can change this by using explorer, or my computer, right clicking the .xml file, choose properties, and uncheck the "Read Only" box. Hope this works for you.

6157

General Mach Discussion / Re: Non persistance when doing config setup

« on: July 27, 2006, 01:13:39 PM »

Is your .xml set to "read only" by chance? If you transfer it via CD it will be.

6158

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: g42 has a Problem

« on: July 27, 2006, 11:25:27 AM »

You need to specify the tool size on the G42 line, using either the tool #:

G42 D1
 for tool #1

or the tool radius
G42 P0.25
for a 1/2" tool

The comp is applied while traveling from the location prior to the G42 to the location in the line after the G42, which is considered the lead-in move.
If you folow the rules, it works fine. I haven't seen any problems.

6159

General Mach Discussion / Re: Radius to end of arc differs from radius to start on line ##”

« on: July 26, 2006, 09:03:03 PM »

I think Mach2's .dxf importer uses absoltue I,J mode. Yours is probably set to incremental. Change it in Config>State and you should be good.

6160

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Okay I must be stupid (or losing my mind)

« on: July 25, 2006, 01:07:56 PM »

When I first started using DesignCAD, it was $279 for 2D only, and $495 for 3D, and the 3D part was in DOS. I no longer use it, since I use AutoCAD at work, but imo it's one of the easiest CAD programs to learn, and is very powerful. The pnly problem you might have is getting it to export files in a format that MeshCAM can read. MeshCAM can read .stl files, or .dxf's. But, the .dxf's can only contain 3D faces, which DesignCAD may or may not let you do. If it exports .stl, then there should be no problems at all. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that it does. There are conversion programs that should work though, and they are inexpensive. This one is $20. http://www.micromouse.ca/

You can download a trial of both DesignCAD and MeshCAM, and see if they'll work for you. (I know what you said, but for the price it's worth a try. I am a MeshCAM user, btw, since the very first beta. Nothing else comes close for the price.

Also, like I said before, you may find it difficult to produce the shapes your after using DesignCAD. If that's the case, then Rhino would be a better choice.