Messages

51

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: An African built 9'x 6' router - with free plans

« on: November 14, 2007, 10:12:00 AM »

Gerald,
Outstanding design.  Thanks for posting the drawings. 
Question about the rails.  Is there any restraint in the pluz Z axis for the gantry on the X rails.   Does the design rely on gravity to hold the gantry from riding up in the vertical?   I'm guessing yes, from looking at the plans and estimating the weight of the gantry.   Same goes for the Y-Z gantry? 
Thanks,
Dave

52

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / It's been a long time since anybody posted a show-n-tell

« on: November 13, 2007, 04:46:34 PM »

I just picked up the 3Dcuts software from Vectric.   So I had to try out a little model of an airplane I'm thinking of cutting.  This one is just 6 inches in Wingspan and cut from plastic.  A test piece to learn the software and process.   

I'm a DIY'r and while waiting for the little ball end bits to arrive, I cut this baby wing with a .062 mill.   

53

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 is awesome

« on: October 26, 2007, 10:12:08 AM »

Art
I don't say much on this forum, but I sure do use Mach3.   So I thought I'd stop by and tell you guys.  Great product!!!   I really do like the simplicity of the software.  Right out of the box it worked for me.  Yet the software can do so much more.   I've been using it now for about 6 months and it's rock solid. 

Keep up the good work,
Dave

54

General Mach Discussion / Re: Visual Basic Program question

« on: October 20, 2007, 10:56:35 PM »

Brett,
Good idea about looking at the wizards.   Is it possible to view the wizards code?  As mentioned in the first post, I'm interested in dabbling in some code myself.   
Thanks for the idea.
Dave

55

General Mach Discussion / Visual Basic Program question

« on: October 20, 2007, 08:49:12 PM »

I'm a VB programmer want'a be.   Is it possible to write a VB program in Mach3 which asks for a cut file, then asks for an array size and distance.   Then Mach3 will proceed to cut the file in the multiple array.   I'd love to see that program if it's out there.   I'm pretty sure its a simple program.  I just need a little push, a start down the right track. 

After the file is cut, I'd like to be able to return to the original origin so I can change tools and run another file. 

Can anybody help me?  Does anyone have such a program that they want to share with me? 
Thanks,
Dave

56

General Mach Discussion / Re: A simple G question. How to move to x=4,y=0 when current position is random

« on: October 19, 2007, 08:43:47 PM »

I just reviewed two of my VcarvePro g code files.   Both files had a G90 in the header, but they didn't have a G91 anywhere.   So now I'm confused as to why when I use the G0x4y0, I get an incremental (relative) movement.   I see that Vmax gets an absolute.

I wonder what triggers Mach3 to return to incremental mode for my case.  When I'm done with cutting file, and I use g0x4, it's always relative. 

I appreciate you guys responding. 
Dave

57

General Mach Discussion / Re: A simple G question. How to move to x=4,y=0 when current position is random

« on: October 19, 2007, 05:30:06 PM »

Arnie,
Thanks for the reply. 

Next question. 
What are the consequences of turning on g90 and forgetting to return it with the g91.     I guess it depends on my CAM post processor.   

If the post processor didn't begin the file with a g91, I'd have a mess.  correct? 
Dave

58

General Mach Discussion / A simple G question. How to move to x=4,y=0 when current position is random

« on: October 19, 2007, 03:28:27 PM »

I have a move question. 

Situation: I'm working a job and my spindle XY is in random space.   I want to type in a manual G command to take my spindle to x=4 y=0 (in the job coordinates).  Just a single command is my desire.   I know the G0x4 is a relative move.  My desire is to find the absolute x=4. 

Is there a G command for such an move? 

Thanks,
Dave

59

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Machining the compass inserts

« on: July 23, 2007, 05:15:33 PM »

Try using a $119 router with a 1/8 inch collet adapter.  It will last forever, and you won't be putting yourself in a position that can be viewed as dishonest.   

60

Competitions / Re: ******Guess and win a G100 Grex******

« on: May 22, 2007, 01:22:52 PM »

2,600,001 is my guess