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General Mach Discussion / Touch probe to Point Cloud
« on: June 27, 2011, 07:32:30 PM »
Recently we started using Mach3 to control our MaxNC 15 CL, largely because we needed to upgrade our operating system (Windows 98 just won't cut it anymore )
Under the previous software we had a program simply called Probe which allowed me to create a point cloud (in several different file formats, including DXF) using a touch probe instead of a turning spindle. So far, the only wizard I have found in Mach3 which does anything of this sort is based on an A axis. I want to use only X, Y, & Z. The only reply I have received from Mach3 Support so far told me to look up G-Code G31. I have done so (by using http://www.tormach.com/machine_codes.html), but that does not tell me how to do what I am trying to do, most especially it does not tell me how to save the data to a point cloud in a file with a name and format. There is a reference to a Macro M40, but no explanation of what that is (so I have no idea if it is specific to a given hardware, software, or what).
At this point my boss is extremely frustrated and ready to find another software to do the job.
Please help me!
MacAmergin
Under the previous software we had a program simply called Probe which allowed me to create a point cloud (in several different file formats, including DXF) using a touch probe instead of a turning spindle. So far, the only wizard I have found in Mach3 which does anything of this sort is based on an A axis. I want to use only X, Y, & Z. The only reply I have received from Mach3 Support so far told me to look up G-Code G31. I have done so (by using http://www.tormach.com/machine_codes.html), but that does not tell me how to do what I am trying to do, most especially it does not tell me how to save the data to a point cloud in a file with a name and format. There is a reference to a Macro M40, but no explanation of what that is (so I have no idea if it is specific to a given hardware, software, or what).
At this point my boss is extremely frustrated and ready to find another software to do the job.
Please help me!
MacAmergin