Messages

241

General Mach Discussion / CB formatting numbers

« on: September 29, 2011, 09:26:51 AM »

How dose one format a double number for printing to a file to get
xx.0000 instead of xx.000000000000 in CBasic?
Thanks
Keith

242

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 25, 2011, 01:01:13 PM »

I appreciate the discussion and the sources for more accurate switches.

Thanks!
Keith

243

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:35:53 PM »

OH boy another one HOOKED on Machcrack, the lastest designer drug.

LOLOLOLOLOL go for it, (;-) TP

  I've been hooked for years with 4 machines now running Mach!  The 4th one is
a retrofit for a Mori Seiki SL1 lathe that I am just starting.  That will be a real upgrade in
difficulty and require learning to program a PLC.  So if I sound lost now, just wait until
I start that project...

244

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 25, 2011, 01:05:18 AM »

Ok, got Copycat, I had an old Mach demo version on this computer, Copycat
comes with default stuff.  Just had to download current Mach version.  

Docs show a video versus probe and that is exciting! Cant get to bed, too much
to think about

245

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:42:27 AM »

Got Jcode now but still working on Copycat.  Isn't this mach amazing.  Probing, video - all
kinds of stuff to make a day fun...

246

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:20:17 AM »

How to get Copycat and Jcode?  I have installed Jcode to plugins directory but only
video plugin is showing on drop down in Mach.  Can't find Copycat in wizards.

Thanks
Keith

247

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 11:45:41 PM »

I wish I could use a permanent wheel but the blades have a hollow ground that varies with the blade type.
3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16  Have to shape the grinding wheel for each blade...

Keith

248

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 11:21:17 PM »

TP,

By George, I think you've got it!  It seems so obvious now. No Dxf convertor,
and no Cad/Cam software needed. Excellent!javascript:void(0);

If we know what the blade's arcs should be we can probe in the 3 critical spots for each
sub-curve then calculate an array of coordinates for the ideal blade  if
I can identify staight lines inside a deadband value say +/- .005.  See comment below. 

Then do a comparison between the theoretical array and the actual blade probed array using
a sharp tipped encoder probe. Then come up with descriptive stats for the
variance to allow us to tell how good or bad the blade is. 

We could start correcting the discrepancies slowly over future sharpenings or just keep
current shape. 

We can use arcs and generate a tool path then mount the pseudo-grinding
wheel probe tip and run the blade collecting
the points for a compensated toolpath!  I could make several probe tips in
different size ranges to match smaller wheel diameters to account for wheel wear because
eventually the wheel will get much smaller.

The biggest problem we have is the difficult of finding the deadbands.  I ordered
an encoder that is +/- .0005".  The one I have is +/- .001"  Plus the current probe tip
is not pointed so the raw values are off because the shoulder of the probe tip hits the
blade

I will get going on the Jcode and Copycat learning curve.  Thanks!  It is making more sense
to talk it through.  I really appreciate the careful thought!

249

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 01:10:03 PM »

TP, i found Copycat and the documentation.  I will begin to study it but maybe the best idea
is to load some kind of probe in place of the grinding wheel that is the same diameter and
do the probing with Copycat like you suggest.  I am not sure how that probe would be
designed.  Is there anything like that available?

Yes we want factory specs on the shape but from measuring blades have discovered
that the factory does not put out consistently shaped blades.  I hope to create an
environment to describe the blade and indicate graphically or numerically how it differs
from the ideal then correct gradually to the original design or to a custom shape. 
Naturally I need to be able to leave the shape constant if desired and not introduce
changes over time by mistake...

250

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 12:23:53 PM »

What your asking is a little beyond the basic CNC (;-) .  What points you are gathereing will create lines not arcs on curves.  You would better off using the COPYCAT function and use a probe tip profile the same as your wheel diameter. This will auto comp the profile back to the wheel diameter . You would use the COPYCAT to create arcs and lines in G CODE  not just a series of points.

I thought that skates were just ground on specifc contours (;-)

(;-) TP

Yes they are ground on a specific contour at the factor originally but done
mostly by hand.  The sharpening process is done by hand which gradually destroys
the proper shape.

I can't find Copycat.  What you describe is just what i need with arcs being created.  Is there
any docs on Copycat and do you mean using G31?

Thanks
Keith