Messages

251

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 24, 2011, 12:19:24 PM »

Hood, that is what I have been doing but even after starting up the machine and rehoming the machine,
the next time I believe the probing of the wheel is different but I need to double check it to see if
it is repeatable.  I will check to see if a timing pulley might be slipping or ball screw nut not secure.

Thanks,
Keith

252

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 24, 2011, 07:27:49 AM »

I guess that is where I am concerned.  It seems like the switches I am using are pretty good.
When I repeatedly probe my grinding wheel on the mechanical switch I am using, I get the same value
each time as long as I do a homing move first to machine zero.  But when I turn the machine off
and start up again, the value tends to be different.  I am wondering where the difference in coming
from so trying to investigate other sources of backlash.

Thanks
Keith

253

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 01:35:55 AM »

Keith do yo have another Test points file I can convert so you can check it in Bobcad. DXFs can be tricky at times, I hope I have created a universal dxf format that everyone can read.

(;-) TP

Yes I can get you a file but I am realizing that the Cad program cannot really do much to help so it seems some mathematical manipulation is going to work better for me.  I am using a linear encoder and running along the x axis in a series of set increments and adjusting the Y values by an offset for the grinding wheel

I don't know how to attach a file as your have done...

254

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 24, 2011, 12:11:34 AM »

Thanks Rich it was created from an X/Y points file that was converted straight to DXF from inside MACH3 using CB. Hopefully it will be a HELP to those who do 2.5D probing and need a way to get the points into a CAD format for further processing.

(;-) TP

 TP  that is just what I was trying to do.  Will you tell us how it was done?  That would save a step for me.  I am generating the x/y point file in CB too.

Also, I am able to get my original x/y point file into BobCAD/CAM but had to use an intermediary program (Pointor) to do it.  There I am able do to the proper tool compensation but it would be nice to do it in LazyCam or Mach.  Thanks

255

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 22, 2011, 08:35:40 PM »

IF you use CAM such as Sheetcam IT will do the tool offsetting and then you would NOT need ANY toolcomp in mach. JUST a simple leadin.

(;-) TP

  I am trying to do it in BobCad but keep getting an error but I think i am close!

256

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 22, 2011, 07:33:21 PM »

I just looked at the speed of homing and I had it at 100% so I cut
it down to 5 % and now I am getting much more reproducible
results so it does not look like the switch was the weak link!

257

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 22, 2011, 12:14:44 PM »

Thanks,  I think I need to modify the way I am doing the probing to this switch to
get repeatability so I will try that first then go to better switches and see if I see
a difference.  I have been using the switch to check the size of my grinding wheel but
only moving slowly in Y to the switch to trip it and noting the position but I need
to trip the swith and move past then reverse and note the closure point.  It seems
like moving toward the switch is better for this application though.  Otherwise there
may be some other mechanical issues in my system because I am not getting
expected consistency.

258

General Mach Discussion / limit switch accuracy

« on: September 22, 2011, 09:09:32 AM »

What type of limit switch is the most accurate?

Thanks

259

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 22, 2011, 09:07:43 AM »

TP,

Thanks for the continued help.  Copycat is my next mission, did not realize it was in Mach.

My problem with this machine is that I only have 1 inch of travel in the Y axis.  Maybe BobCad will
be necessary to make the toolpath and then I can shorten the lead-in.  Do you think there is a way to do
this in Mach with the 1" limitation?  What Mach is doing now is a series of leadins every 1/2 inch instead of one lead-in at the start of the part.

Keith

260

General Mach Discussion / Re: importing coordinate list

« on: September 21, 2011, 07:32:50 PM »

I gave a try to tool compensation and the tool path is a series of approaches to each
line segment so it did not behave as I was expecting.  The docs talk about having
to use an approach at least one diameter of the diameter offset away to start but I
don't have that much room.

Also cant find Copycat through an internet search but will keep trying.

Thanks