Messages

891

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Not so sweet Cut Circle in Suite of HW

« on: February 17, 2007, 09:27:19 PM »

I think that line is actually a G03, and its OK to leave it off because G03 is modal. I tried the code and it hangs for me too. I added the G03 and the problem still occurs. I think this one should be shown to Art, its not a wizard problem, the Gcode looks good. There was a recent problem like this that Art fixed.

I put a note on the Yahoo group for Art.

892

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Newfangled Wizards, V2.73 Test Release

« on: February 17, 2007, 06:20:04 AM »

Thanks for the note. Its strange, I didn't do anything to the code for the size of the rectangle, only for the depth of cut. I will have a look at it and see whats happening.

Ill change the material list and make it default to the first material on the list. That way everyone can set their common material first in the list.

Thanks

ron ginger

893

General Mach Discussion / Re: NFS face lift...

« on: February 16, 2007, 09:18:05 PM »

Also see http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=2468.0 for a new release of the Newfangled set.

ron ginger

894

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Newfangled Wizards, V2.73 Test Release

« on: February 15, 2007, 07:12:32 PM »

I have made  few changes to the Newfangled wizard set. I have more to do, but I thought I'd follows Arts lead and 'release often'

The most interesting change is in the Materials selection. In the original wizards there were a few materials and their preferred cutting speeds hard-coded into the program. Changing the values or adding materials took VB code editing. Now there is a simple text file, Materials.txt in the Newfangled folder. The file has one line for each material, and each material has 4 comma delimited fields for the surface speed. You may edit the values or add any materials you like. There is a limit of 100 materials, but that should not be a big problem. There is also a help button that explains the material handling.

I also fixed a bug in Cut-rectangle that caused it to not go to the full depth if the last cut was not a full depth of pass, for example, if you requested a .250 deep pocket cut in .100 steps it stopped cutting at .200

I also fixed the surface wizard. When you selected 'rapid move between passes' the Z value for the rapid move was calculated to high. It now always does rapids at the Z rapid setting.

I have also fixed up many error messages- the old ones were ofter something like 'Depth is set wrong' It now says what is wrong, eg "Tool diameter must be greater than Zero"

To install this load the .zip file into the Mach3\Addons folder and unzip it. It will place the files in the Newfangled folder as needed.

Let me know of any problems, and if there are other bugs (or 'features') that bother you in the wizard set let me know. I'll see what I can do to fix them. If there are no problems this version will be added to a Mach release in a few days.

We are working on a major graphics update, but it will be  a while before thats ready. Watch this space!

895

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lazycam alternative

« on: February 14, 2007, 08:36:54 PM »

I use Sheetcam. it can read both hpgl and dxf. It has good contour and pocketing ability.

Its a low cost ( $160+/-) program and has as good support by its author as Mach has.

www.sheetcam.com

ron ginger

896

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Bugs in NewFangled Wizards

« on: February 13, 2007, 12:26:43 PM »

Ok, I found the problem with the Z0.11. The wizard was trying to adjust the rapid height and subtracted the Depth of cut, but forgot that was a negative number so it increased the Z. I have fixed it so it always goes up to the Zrapid Setting.

I agree with the need for help screens and have added a few already. I think Im going to try to post an updated copy here tomorrow with the changes Ive made so far and get some input on them. I ahve several more changes to make.

ron ginger

897

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Bugs in NewFangled Wizards

« on: February 12, 2007, 10:32:19 PM »

There is code in the surface wizard to do the flood. They must be selected in the Tool setup screen.
I cant seem to get the G00 Z0.11 effect you describe. Tell me more about your settings. One change I am making is to add more comments into the Gcode. That not only helps debug it makes them better self-documenting.

Can you tell me a specific one that fails to do the Flood? Ive been working on cut rectangle and I know its correct.

ron ginger

898

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Power Feed Wizard

« on: February 11, 2007, 01:46:41 PM »

Ok, its a slow morning and I felt like programming so here is a new version of the power feed wizard that lets you feed either X or Y  axis. It also has a help screen. I think it could use some improvement on the graphics to make it more intuitive, but that might just clutter it up for experienced users.

have fun.

ron ginger

899

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Power Feed Wizard

« on: February 10, 2007, 03:36:03 PM »

Sorry, I don't know about Mach2. I have not run that for a couple years. I dont even recall the structure of the wizard folder in Mach2. I will have to find another system here to test that, but I'm trying to finish several other wizards now so it will be a while before I can try.

You could not hurt much by trying.

ron ginger

900

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Power Feed Wizard

« on: February 10, 2007, 12:29:49 PM »

I added some arrow buttons to make it more obvious which direction the moves will make. And I added a Feed Hold button with the Space Bar as a hot key like it is on the Mach main screen. The feed hold is a bit slow in acting, I suppose its because of the Mach buffer.