Messages

11

Finished Screens / Phantom offset in Screen 2010

« on: June 09, 2014, 08:15:28 PM »

Only phantom to me I suppose.  Each time I load Mach, jog Z to the surface and then zero it.  First run of any code will run at 0.50" above my intent.  I hit stop and have it go to x0, y0, z0.  Then use jog/step to move z down 0.50", set Z to zero.  It then runs fine.  Even if I change the gcode it will run correctly.

So, it seems I put something in a setup somewhere.  I thought that I drilled down through all the settings, but can't find it.

Any ideas on what I did?

Steve.

BTW - even the extents knows about the 0.50" and shows the additional dimension

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need Help

« on: June 09, 2014, 08:03:22 PM »

This is a file we attempted on Saturday, code created by Vectric VCarve.  Just a simple circle in box.

It is not only slow, but the gantry trembles like the steppers are fighting.

Steve.

13

Finished Screens / Screen 2010 Questions

« on: February 18, 2013, 07:28:56 PM »

First though, the simple auto zero is really great!!!  Working with wood is a special pain in knowing where the top of the material is.

That said, the simple auto zero worked perfect yesterday about 5 times.  Today, it worked the first time and then rather than 1 mm rise after the first touch it went about 0.75" up.  Then it never traveled all the way to the plate for second read.  It seemed to time out about 3/8" down.  If I closed Mach3, it would work again one time.  When it works correctly the tool is 0.751 over the material and just off the conductive metal block.  The plate thickness is set to 0.750 and clearance plane to 0.751. 

Second thing is that if I use the tab key to pull up the diagnostic screen, the diagnostic screen right side is hidden off the monitor.  The monitor is 17" set to 1024 x 768.  I've tried other screen settings with the same results.  I also can't move it with the mouse.  Any suggestions?

Steve.

14

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: February 15, 2013, 06:05:39 PM »

I moved this question to Mach Discussion since it isn't really only a 2010 question.

Steve.

15

General Mach Discussion / Auto Tool Zero details needed

« on: February 15, 2013, 04:45:14 PM »

I'm using Screen 2010 with a Gecko 540 controller and Mach3 for quite some time.  My work is primarily with wood and some plastic, no metal.  I'd like to use the simple auto zero  / auto tool zero function to save time with physically finding zero Z on the wood each time.  Tooling is usually 60 degree bit or end mill, sizes are 1/4" and 1/8" shank.

I'd like to avoid letting the magic smoke out of the controller.

Assumptions;
1) Connect wire from G540 Input #1 to a conductive plate that would be under the tooling.  (make sure bottom of plate cannot ground)
2) Make sure that tooling spindle tool is grounded related to the Input #1 wire. 
3) Mach setup table to tell the "Auto Tool Zero" in Screen 1024 or "double down arrow" in Screen 2010 about Input #1

Questions;
1) Which configuration screen is used to tell the screen buttons the information needed?  What information to enter?
2) Do I need to do any further scripting?
3) Can I use conductive tape on the wood I am routing for the touch point?  (alligator clip to make the connection to tape)
4) Is the Input #1 wire neutral or live when not running the utility?  (Do I need a insulated home for it?)
5) Should I run a ground wire from the spindle fixture to the G540?

Steve
(This a bit of double post from under the 2010 screen set, but is really a general Mach question.  If moderator could delete the other post, it would be appreciated.)

16

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 2010 Screenset - Now available

« on: February 15, 2013, 02:45:39 PM »

I've been using the 2010 screen set for some time and want to use the Simple Auto Zero.  Are there any instructions on wiring a Gecko G540 to the plate?  Thought I saw it somewhere once, but can't find it.

Steve.

17

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Drilling cycle from Bobcad

« on: November 30, 2012, 02:15:37 PM »

"For future reference, CNC Zone has some helpful BobCAD users."

Gerry -  A shame actually, the software is pretty good and reasonable in price for the features.  You have to get any online support from 3rd party sites.  Support to prior version users, except for the constant classes, has eroded to near nothing on their forum.  I have V24, but prefer V21 for anything 2D.  - Steve.

18

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Drilling cycle from Bobcad - Solved

« on: November 30, 2012, 12:28:15 PM »

Solved it.  User problem, didn't figure out that R is from Z0.  Thought R (retract) distance was from depth of Z.

N1G70
N2 M6 T1
N3G81X1.0188Y6.7615 Z-.375 R.125 F10 G99
N4X12.9995Y6.9995
N5X12.9942Y7.2508
N6X12.9785Y7.5016
N7X12.9155Y8.0001
N8X12.8684Y8.247
......
N384Y6.25
N385G80


Steve.

19

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Drilling cycle from Bobcad

« on: November 29, 2012, 02:34:22 PM »

"This is a question best asked BOBCAM."  Sales questions are free and fast, technical questions on a prior product - not so much.

Steve.

20

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Drilling cycle from Bobcad

« on: November 29, 2012, 01:29:24 PM »

I am trying to CNC a cribbage board designed in BobCAD/CAM (BCC) V21.  In the past I would draw the hole, offset the radius of cutter inside the hole and make the hole by selecting the offset.  In this case the holes are 1/8" and I would just like to drill them with a 1/8" end mill.  On a three track 120 point cribbage board this is over 360 holes.

I have the V21 training videos and they show exactly what I want to do.  They use a "G81" and "G73 with Q" cycles from another post processor.  They select the true "holes" and the cycles use the center of the "holes" to position the mill and then drill.

The post processor for Mach isn't working the same as the video with the other post processor. Instead of drilling the center of the geometry (hole) it follows the geometry outside diameter.  Actually, I'm not sure the drilling cycle is working at all.

BCC doesn't (as far as I can figure out) allow you to use an arc center point in the CAD side to select for a CAM side action.

Has anyone conquered this?

Is there a way to change the drill script in the post processor?  If so, what should it read?

Steve.