Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Simple radius cutting - isn't !

« on: July 19, 2020, 10:20:48 AM »

Turn CV mode off and run it again, then turn it on and slow down the feed into the corners, its the feed verses CV mode that is doing this.

Thanks for the input Graham.   --  It's a shame that I don't understand it

I presume that CV means Constant Velocity but I wasn't aware that I had CV 'on' and can't see a code or setting that turns it 'off'


I CAN understand your assertion regarding feed speed if you are talking about the 'rounding over' where I expected 'sharp' corners but that doesn't address the 'concave' (scalloped) corners.


I've since tried G03 instead of G02 on the off-chance that that was the issue but that puts a 'bulbus' curve with the centre of radius still at the corner. ...... This makes me think that Mach3 believes that the centre of radius is at the corner rather than 'offset' by the value of I or J and I can't (yet) get my head around why  -  and how to change it!    I do now think that G03 will be correct but still can't see how to specify I & J correctly.


On-line tutorials seem to be either short on detail or - much worse - have silly errors     Can you (anyone) point me to a worthwhile source that is not just a 'List' of G-Codes but a detailed exposition of what parameters need to be past along with each?   I also notice reference to non integer G-Codes (28.1, 54.1, 84.2 etc.)  but I've yet to find any further detail about what they are meant to do.

32

General Mach Discussion / Simple radius cutting - isn't !

« on: July 19, 2020, 08:05:46 AM »

It all seems so simple when reading/watching various G-Code tutorials but the reality is far from 'simple'.

I had some issues when trying to cut a circle - well actually I was 'Drawing' a circle,  the 'simulation' in Mach3 using the standard layout I find difficult to read and changing that to show a larger image is fraught with many other issues needing a better knowledge of VB that I currently have. I found an easy solution though by making a spring loaded 'Pencil Holder' to use instead of a milling cutter and with that in place I have sussed what happens when you change the I & J  parameters.

Next I viewed a tutorial about simple radius profiling but no matter how I adjust the I & J parameters - to date I've only been able to 'draw' an outline with the corners reversed --  ie 'scalloped' instead of 'rounded' - see attached .PDF.

The program used is very basic :

Code: [Select]

%
O0000     (Radius test)
N100 G17 G21
N230 G00 X-100 Y50
N240 Z-27
N250 G01 Z-29 F250
N260 Y-70 F3000
N270 G02 X-80 Y-90 I0 J-20
N280 G01 X80
N290 G02 X90 Y-80 I10 J0
N300 G01 Y10
N310 G02 X50 Y50 I0 J40
N320 G01 X-100
N330 M05
N340 X200 Y100 Z0
N350 G40
N360 M30
%
I'm currently not too concerned about tool offsets - though I suspect that is the reason that the drawing produced has 'curves' instead of sharp points at each change of direction (witness the purple dashed line).   I would expect this code to follow the 'Red' Line so I'd be grateful if someone could point out what I'm missing.

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are G33 & G76 supported in Mach3?

« on: July 17, 2020, 05:37:45 AM »

Is that as far as Mach3 is concerned?
I see G76 listed as also available as 'Fine Boring Cycle for Milling' which seems to suggest that the Z feed can also be specified as a separate parameter.  It also 'Includes OSS and shift (oriented spindle stop and shift tool off centerline for retraction)'  -  I just can't find any reference to the form that the parameters take.

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are G33 & G76 supported in Mach3?

« on: July 17, 2020, 05:22:06 AM »

Thanks, I'd already found that video and watched it before your re-post came in 
It looks to do the business - though that video only shows 'Standard' threads, I'm sure 'specials' are also catered for. 

What it doesn't tell me is what parameters I need to enter when writing G-Code by hand.  Yes I am a masochist!   

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Are G33 & G76 supported in Mach3?

« on: July 17, 2020, 04:54:11 AM »

Thanks for the input TPS but that is about Mach3TURN  I'm looking for a solution for Mach3Mill  - sorry I should have made that clear in my post 

36

General Mach Discussion / Are G33 & G76 supported in Mach3?

« on: July 17, 2020, 03:49:56 AM »

I'm investigating 'Thread Milling' but cannot find any details about the parameters I need to add after a G33 or G76 call. Using the [ G-Code ] button in Mach3, these codes are not listed so there are no 'hints' and I can't make head nor tail of what is supposed to happen after I select the 'Thread Milling' Wizard -- it simply shows me a new screen with Exit. Post Code, etc. along with a number of apparently editable dimensions which return to the initial state upon exit. The [ Post Code ] does not alter the 'No File Loaded' message.

Since I am looking to make 'large' (but short) threads  -  100 - 200mm dia and 2 - 4.5mm pitch  -  using a single point tool a 'Tap' is not an option 
I understand the complexity of threads needing a very specific feed rate in the Z axis which will not (necessarily) be the same as the feed rate in X & Y but cannot yet see any G-Code that will achieve that.
Any input appreciated!

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 07:18:10 AM »

That's my opinion as well Tweakie.
Since the 'office' system is only a simulation exercise, a re-installation wouldn't be a problem and may well solve the issue.

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 06:59:14 AM »

Thanks Tweakie,  That at least points me to yet another 'feature' in the very flexible Mach3 system which I hadn't yet discovered but the VB script in my office system is already exactly as you site - I presume my workshop system is the same.


Seldom taking anything on face value  -   I've just clicked on the [ Run Script ] icon and I'm not surprised to see an error message  "Error on line:1 - Sub or function not defined: GetMainFolder"   but since I am yet to study VB it doesn't really tell me much.

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 06:19:52 AM »

Thanks TPS -- yes that file exists in both of my systems and I now have a shortcut to it on my office system.

It is still not activated by the [ G-Code ] button - whichever '.set' I invoke.

I'm not concerned about trying to resolve the issue - it's no hardship to simply invoke the shortcut which opens the .htm file in the browser when I do need a 'hint'   -   which I'm sure will be often 

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: G82 Drilling Cycle

« on: July 15, 2020, 04:48:15 AM »

Obviously I must have some differences in my set-up.
I have two systems -  one in my 'office' where I do the design/coding work with a Mach3 installation that isn't attached to a CNC machine at all - it allows me to do simulations without causing any damage!

The second is the 'Live' system in my workshop connected to a Denford MicroRouter Compact.

It seems that the screen '.set' is different on each (though both are named 1024.set) and the [ G-Code ] button has different results on each.

The 'Live' system shows a 'pop out' window and clicking on an entry does give me G-Code hints but the office system shows a non-interactive G-Code List 'Image'.

I've just copied the 1024.set file from 'Live' to 'Office' (after renaming the office version) and now the office [ G-Code ] button is inactive?    This seems to indicate that there are other files that also need to be transferred but I have no idea which.