Messages

1781

General Mach Discussion / Odd behaviour?

« on: May 04, 2016, 02:42:22 PM »

I'm tweaking the post-processor for Vectric Aspire for use on my mini-mill, by default it puts a tool change at the start of each file, I don't really want this.

This is the start of a file...

N240 G00 G21 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80
N250 G71 G91.1
N260 T2 M06
N270 (T2 - 5mm Carbide YG)
N280 G00 G43 Z20.000 H2
N290 S19000 M03
N300 (Toolpath:- Apertures Roughing)
N310 ()
N320 G94
N330 X0.000 Y0.000 F1000.0

When edited I get this...

N240 G00 G21 G17 G90 G40 G49 G80
N250 G71 G91.1
N260 G00 Z20.000
N270 S19000 M03
N280 (Toolpath:- Apertures Roughing)
N290 ()
N300 G94
N310 X0.000 Y0.000 F1000.0

Seems ok to me, I tried running it but the mill started running the file with the spindle off, luckily I e-stopped early enough to stop damage.

I then reset and tried an M03 in the MDI box and I got "Compiler error in M03.m1s" message, could not get spindle to start, rebooted and suspecting the code was wrong I returned the file to it's original state and tried again to get the job done - it worked ok this time.

So, I don't know until i try again if the code change was wrong or it was just some sort of duff boot-up first time round??

1782

General Mach Discussion / Re: New guy to cnc world

« on: May 04, 2016, 10:54:24 AM »

Hi Tim,

Steps is related to a physical thing - the amount of steps needed to send to the driver to move the axis one unit. Its not meant to be used to convert inches to metric etc, next go config->select native units and make sure that is set correctly.

Make sure any code used is not switching from metric to inches etc

1783

General Mach Discussion / Re: Life span of Mach3 maintenance/updates ?

« on: May 02, 2016, 12:20:33 PM »

But, as things go these days, with Mach3 you have such a massive user-base, the support is probably endless

Updates are not an issue - pick a flavour that works and stick with it - works for me anyway.

I was looking at LinuxCNC but already had a Mach3 working setup on one machine so went with the same again.

1784

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 not reading g-code properly?? Help Please....

« on: May 02, 2016, 09:57:42 AM »

Les from Sheetcam, sorted it - I had over-cut turned on and it seems on an open line with over-cut you get the over-cut and not the job!

He is looking into it but turning it off sorted the issue and the job is done

1785

General Mach Discussion / Re: Periodically Tripping breaker when turning on machine...

« on: May 02, 2016, 03:25:02 AM »

One other option is an old-fashioned soft-start button in the primary side  - a power resistor of a couple of ohms and a push button wired so that the resistor is in in circuit only when button pressed. It limits the current until the caps have charged sufficiently to stop the inrush.

You press the button, switch on, wait 1-2 seconds then release the button, this can all be automated but depends how complex you want to get, used to be used in valve amplifiers.

1786

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 not reading g-code properly?? Help Please....

« on: May 01, 2016, 09:00:33 AM »

Must be a sheet-cam bug then, it works perfectly in simulation!

The lines cut are exactly as you describe.

Thanks for looking


BTW
The M98 is my IHS macro and the M22 are CandCNC codes for the THC

1787

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 not reading g-code properly?? Help Please....

« on: May 01, 2016, 05:32:47 AM »

Wasted a lot of valuable time on this

I need to cut four arcs - open lines so no offsets or lead-ins etc.

The code tests perfect in Sheetcam simulation but when loaded into the plasma/mach3 it only cuts four very sort lines, maybe 5mm long?

I have attached the code file below but I am not upto reading I/J arcs yet.
 
Does this code cut long 120degree arc or short 5mm lines please??

Mach is V067

1788

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch error when connecting VFD shielding to ground???

« on: April 29, 2016, 07:58:37 AM »

So i gather what you have over there is what we would call "two-phase" ??

So live to neutral=110v and live to live is 220v?

We only really use single-phase (live to neutral 220v) or three-phase (live to live 415v or live to neutral is 220v) over here.

But you have a supply CPC (circuit protective conductor) or supply ground as well? Surely this is what must go to the VFD ground tab?

And I also disagree with the 'many ground loops" suggestion, AFIK a ground loop is bad in any circumstance and can do weird stuff as well as set up eddy currents and other oddities

1789

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch error when connecting VFD shielding to ground???

« on: April 28, 2016, 04:12:00 PM »

I'm not familiar with that board so I cant really say yay or nay - not sure why they want a restore there - none of my machines have it.

1790

General Mach Discussion / Re: Physical buttons for plasma

« on: April 28, 2016, 04:10:14 PM »

Nah, I'm happy with my Mach3 setup - works so why mess with it